Michigan State hires Jon Dykema from Lions for athlete contracts

Michigan State University has appointed Jon Dykema as the Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Management and Assistant General Counsel, a move that reflects the increasing importance of contract management in college athletics amid the revenue-sharing era. Dykema, a Michigan State alumnus, previously served for 15 seasons with the Detroit Lions, where he was responsible for player contract negotiations and salary cap oversight. His new role will involve drafting and managing contracts related to sponsorships, name, image, and likeness (NIL) activities, and media rights, among others. Athletic director Alan Haller emphasized the significance of this hire, citing Dykema's extensive experience as a valuable asset to the MSU athletics program. Dykema's return to Michigan State is seen as a strategic move to enhance the university's compliance and negotiation capabilities as the landscape of college sports evolves. This trend of college programs hiring from NFL front offices is becoming increasingly common, particularly in Michigan.