Tshiebwe has become a leading figure in
name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, despite being unable to take full advantage of his celebrity due to holding a
student visa. While he is allowed to sign sponsorship deals, he cannot make paid personal appearances (including autograph signings and commercial shoots) while in the U.S. with that visa status.
[30] Tshiebwe's advisers are currently trying to change his visa status to "
extraordinary ability", which would enable him to fully monetize his celebrity.
[31] In August 2022, he was temporarily freed from the restrictions of his visa when the Wildcats went on a week-long preseason exhibition tour to
The Bahamas.
[32] When the team's plane landed in The Bahamas, Tshiebwe's first phone call was reportedly to his agent, asking "Where do you need me?",
[31] and he did promotional work for four companies before fully settling into his hotel room.
[32] During the Wildcats' down time on that tour, Tshiebwe made numerous photo shoots and advertising reads, and signed large quantities of memorabilia. UK head coach
John Calipari was apparently unfazed by Tshiebwe's off-court work in The Bahamas, reportedly telling
The Athletic, "He can’t do this stuff in the States. Oscar, you weren’t there today, but we all get why you’re doing what you’re doing."
[31] By the end of the tour, he had reportedly made $500,000, bringing his total NIL money to $2.75 million in about 6 months. He used his first batch of NIL money to buy his mother a five-bedroom house, and has established a charitable foundation for the benefit of children in his homeland that is funded in large part by his NIL deals.
[32]
