College Football Star Jaxson Dart Talks Philanthropy, NIL Contract

The college senior and University of Mississippi star quarterback will be eligible for April’s NFL draft,  where he plans to pursue his lifelong dream of being a professional football player.

But Dart, 21, hasn’t just made headlines for his leadership on the field. Early last year, Dart signed a name, image and likeness (NIL) contract with Oxford, Mississippi-based private aviation company NICHOLAS AIR.

Dart’s agent, Jeff Hoffman with South Carolina-based sports marketing agency ESM, helped form the partnership with the luxury charter jet brand. 

Per the contract, NICHOLAS AIR provided access to its jet fleet to transport Dart and his family throughout the year for training and philanthropic efforts.

The most recent charity event came on December 16 when Dart helped distribute a plane full of teddy bears to kids at the Children’s of Mississippi Hospital in Jackson as part of NICHOLAS AIR’s “Stuff the Plane 2024” giveback program.

After a full morning of giving out teddy bears, hugs, and high-fives, Dart took a flight back to Oxford, where he met with FLYING at NICHOLAS AIR’s headquarters to speak about the philanthropic opportunity.

“It was a lot of fun getting to give those [stuffed bears] out to the kids and see the smiles on their faces,” Dart said. “Being able to see each kid in their own different situation [and] the joy that they still had regardless of what was going on in their life was inspirational.”

Several NICHOLAS AIR employees joined Dart on the trip to the hospital as well as his mother, Kara. For the Dart family, this holiday giveback to ill children was personal.

“My little sister had some health issues when she was younger, and my parents spent a lot of time in Primary Children’s [Hospital in Utah],” Dart said. “It hits close to home, and I think that when you’re able to have these types of opportunities—especially when they can relate to family—it makes you feel warm.”

Dart said he was honored and thankful to NICHOLAS AIR for the first-of-its-kind NIL contract deal between a private aviation company and a college athlete.

“It’s been an incredible experience being able to not only use [NICHOLAS AIR’s private aviation services] for myself, but for my teammates and the different needs that we’ve had to use it for this offseason,” Dart said. “It’s been a huge convenience and a big help, and it really paid a lot to our successes this season.”

Skipping security and jumping on a private jet to fly to any destination has been a game-changer for Dart. He said the comfort, speed, and overall experience provided by NICHOLAS AIR was unparalleled.

“Being able to partner with NICHOLAS AIR has been a great honor for me, and it’s something I really cherish,” Dart said. “It’s such a prestigious group of individuals and people who all come together. It’s like a family, and I’ve just been grateful to be a part of it.”