Sweet Victory & Sweet Treats: Maryland's Derik Queen Lands Dairy Queen NIL Deal After Buzzer-Beater Heroics

Maryland star Derik Queen celebrates his game-winning shot with a royal NIL partnership, blending basketball excellence and frozen dessert fandom.

The Shot That Launched a Thousand Cones

Maryland Terrapins center Derik Queen has traded March Madness drama for Blizzard® treats, signing a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Dairy Queen just days after his buzzer-beating heroics against Colorado State propelled the Terps to the Sweet 16.

Royalty Meets Soft Serve

The campaign cleverly plays on Queen's regal surname, featuring:

  • Side-by-side shots of a Dairy Queen swirl cone and Queen's game-winning bucket
  • The tagline "From one iconic finish to another"
  • Queen delivering DQ's signature slogan: "Happy tastes good" while holding a soft serve

"#ad Thanks to the original DQ for all the love and support. Go Terps!" - @derikqueen1 on X

Behind the Scenes

  • Filmed at a San Francisco hotel during Sweet 16 preparations
  • Coincides with Maryland's clash against Florida Gators at Chase Center (7:39 PM ET)
  • Marks another win for Montverde Academy alumni in tournament spotlight

NIL's Frozen Frontier

This deal highlights:

  • How basketball moments become marketing opportunities
  • Brands capitalizing on tournament Cinderella stories
  • The growing creativity in college athlete endorsements

Maryland fans can celebrate with 50% off DQ cones if the Terps advance to the Elite 8 - because nothing sweetens victory like actual sweets.

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