Mat Ishbia and United Wholesale Mortgage are cutting off the Name, Image and Likeness payments to Michigan State student-athletes at the end of the month, citing Ishbia's new role as owner of the NBA's Phoenix Suns and WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.
UWM, the Pontiac-based mortgage behemoth, sent an email to the affected Michigan State student-athletes, including football players, men's and women's basketball players, and volleyball players.
Over the last year, athletes who took part in the program — which included promoting UWM on their social-media channels — received up to $700 per month. That worked out to more than $100,000 per month from UWM to athletes.