Wagler Wear a Hot Seller at Illinois NIL Store

Former hostage shares thoughts on Iran protests; Olympian's unlikely speedskating journey

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In the new era of college sports where athletes can profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL), Illinois freshman basketball star Keaton Wagler's commemorative t-shirt was a quick seller online after his 46-point game. Meanwhile, a former U.S. Embassy hostage in Iran shared his perspective on the latest protests there, and a former University of Illinois soccer player overcame injuries to make the U.S. Olympic speedskating team.

Why it matters

The story highlights how the NIL landscape has transformed college sports, allowing athletes to quickly capitalize on their fame and performance. It also provides insight into the ongoing unrest in Iran from someone with firsthand experience, as well as the perseverance of a local athlete who achieved an Olympic dream.

The details

Campus Ink, an NIL store that works with 160 universities, was able to design, get approval from, and sell a commemorative t-shirt featuring Illinois basketball player Keaton Wagler within 20-30 minutes of his 46-point game against Purdue. The company has a real-time pulse on college sports and can quickly create and sell merchandise featuring athletes. Student-athletes get a cut of the sales, with checks going out every two weeks. Other popular sellers at the Illinois NIL Store include merchandise for the Ivisic twins and Kylan Boswell.

  • Wagler's 46-point game against Purdue occurred last month.
  • The commemorative t-shirt was available for sale online before the Illini team bus had made it back to Champaign.

The players

Keaton Wagler

An Illinois freshman basketball player who scored 46 points in a game against Purdue.

Steven Farag

The 34-year-old CEO of Champaign-based Campus Ink and the NIL Store it operates for Illinois and 159 other universities.

Paul Lewis

A Marine Corps veteran and Champaign financial advisor who was taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 and held for 444 days.

Sarah Warren

A former University of Illinois soccer defender who overcame multiple ACL tears to make the U.S. Olympic speedskating team.

Janet Rayfield

The former Illinois soccer coach who recruited Sarah Warren and is proud to see her achieve an Olympic dream.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We have our thumb on the pulse of every game going on in college sports to monitor in real time everything that's happening. So the second we see a buzzer beater or something cool, our artists are whipping something up in 20 to 30 minutes.”

— Steven Farag, CEO, Campus Ink (News-Gazette Radio)

“Honestly, I'm optimistic or hopeful that they will overthrow these people but I don't think they're going to be able to do it without any help because they don't have any guns.”

— Paul Lewis, Former U.S. Embassy hostage (News-Gazette Radio)

“Definitely not in my plan when I first stepped foot on the field. However, soccer showed me that no matter what life throws at you, it is your job to do everything in your power to not only get back up but be better and stronger than you were before.”

— Sarah Warren (U.S. Speedskating website)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.