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

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.