Jason Collins' coming out could land him a new NBA contract

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He’s gone from being a no-name center to the center of attention, and experts say NBA free agent Jason Collins could parlay his decision to come out of the closet into a contract with a new team, endorsement deals, or even a robust off-the-court career.

Collins is a well-liked journeyman player with 12 seasons under his belt, but before his Monday announcement in Sports Illustrated that he’s gay, the 34-year-old big man was hardly a lock to be picked up for next season.

Jeff Nelson, director of analytics for the sports-marketing firm Navigate Research, said there are likely conversations afoot in front offices across the league about whether Collins’ new profile makes him a more attractive player.

“It would be great for him, great for the cause, great for the NBA if he was signed for another year,” Nelson said. “But by the same token, you don’t want it to appear that’s the reason he’s being signed.”

Having Collins on the roster could also enhance a team’s community credentials.

“His career might be extended because a team — and particularly the NBA — might see it as an opportunity to demonstrate that this announcement is a non-issue for them,” said professor Stephen McDaniel, who specializes in sports and entertainment marketing at the University of Maryland.

“Not that he is in the same strata as an athlete, but maybe you could argue that a team or league could see this symbolic of being inclusive in the same way we view the Dodgers and Jackie Robinson in baseball.”

It could even put more bodies in the seats, but the real benefit will be for Collins, who is now on the radar of sponsors.

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