Brother Martin’s Richie Clementi is one of the very best high school wrestlers in the state and he’s only a freshman. Clementi is 80-0 over the past two years, including winning the state championship in his weight class this past February. Now, he’s the first high school athlete in Louisiana to sign a deal to compensate him for his name, image, and likeness.
“It’s actually a really good feeling,” said Clementi. “It’s very rewarding to put in all that work and to now be getting these deals.”
Friendly Powersports Slidell and Clementi agreed on a four-figure deal that will allow the young wrestler the opportunity to focus on improving without having to miss a practice or workout to go to work, a choice that Clementi says a lot of young athletes have to make.
“I’d have to miss three or four practices right before a big tournament, which now isn’t the case because of this deal,” he said. “I can still promote and make money while I’m at practice, or while I’m wrestling, or even at tournaments.”
Clementi’s father, Rich, says NIL is a benefit to athletes in all types of sports, not just football or basketball, and believes that more student-athletes may be able to stick with sports like wrestling with the potential avenues for financial support that weren’t available in the past.
“To allow these kids, whether they’re in high school or college, to be compensated, and to get people excited to be involved in their journey…it really helps the overall process,” he said.
Clementi has already received a second offer for a NIL deal, with more potentially to come.
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