Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Student-Athletes Score Big with Name, Image, and Likeness Deals with Major Brands
3/20/2023 12:19:00 PM | General, NIL
Cooperation with Altius Sports Partners and LEARFIELD Result in Endorsement Deals and Apparel Collaborations for NU Athletes
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern University's student-athletes are seizing the opportunities provided by their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, collaborating with major brands in various industries to secure endorsement deals and apparel collaborations. Thanks to partnerships with Altius Sports Partners (ASP) and LEARFIELD, the athletes are benefiting alongside the university.
"The first priority are our incredible student-athletes. With that in mind, we have worked to align educational partnerships that help student-athletes optimize their potential to best generate NIL success," said Executive Senior Associate A.D. for Revenue Generation and Strategic Initiatives Tyler Jones. "As you can see with both LEARFIELD and Altius Sports Partners, we are taking a measured approach in identifying innovative partners who prioritize student-athletes by positioning them to benefit in this space. With this level of collaboration and resources, Northwestern is poised to be a leader in the world of NIL."
One exciting example is the Northwestern University Field Hockey Team being selected by the DUNKIN brand to join "Team Dunkin" as part of a national campaign. The team was selected to represent "Team Dunkin'" while leveraging their NIL rights and wearing the colors and logos of NU. This relationship marks the first-of-its-kind utilizing official school IP combined with athlete NIL at scale. The program is also comprised of student-athletes from other schools.
"It's great to have the opportunity to represent Dunkin' while also promoting Northwestern's athletic program," said Maddie Zimmer, a junior and member of the Field Hockey team. "This partnership allows us to use our NIL rights in a way that benefits both ourselves and our university."
Additionally, Wildcats now have custom NIL apparel available for purchase through the Northwestern NIL Store powered by Campus Ink. The Northwestern NIL Store is every fan's one-stop-shop to score officially licensed NIL Wildcat apparel and directly support their favorite student-athletes. The Northwestern NIL Store is just the latest development in the world of NIL apparel as earlier this year seven NU teams were selected to have apparel featured by global sports merchandise leader Fanatics.
This NIL success and collaboration is not limited just to the world of apparel. Robbie Beran, forward for Northwestern's basketball team, has teamed up with Power Plate, and appears in a custom video endorsement piece that shows him in basketball action and using Power Plate devices. This video content has been shared on social media as well as on the videoboard during games at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Power Plate is a global company delivering advanced technology solutions through its health and wellness equipment.
These opportunities are just the beginning, as Northwestern's partnerships with ASP and Learfield are set to continue growing. "Our mission is to provide student-athletes with first-class resources in the area of NIL," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation, Dr. Derrick Gragg. "We are committed to ensuring our student-athletes have the support and guidance they need to make the most of their NIL rights while balancing their academic and athletic commitments."
Northwestern is taking a hands-on approach to helping their student-athletes make the most of their NIL rights. Led by on-campus NIL GM Brad Bauer, the university's immersive ICON NIL program is designed to educate and empower student-athletes to achieve their desired NIL goals. The program offers comprehensive support services to athletics departments, including customized guidance and education for all stakeholders.
With Northwestern's commitment to providing first-class resources for their student-athletes, the sky's the limit for these aspiring young stars.
"The first priority are our incredible student-athletes. With that in mind, we have worked to align educational partnerships that help student-athletes optimize their potential to best generate NIL success," said Executive Senior Associate A.D. for Revenue Generation and Strategic Initiatives Tyler Jones. "As you can see with both LEARFIELD and Altius Sports Partners, we are taking a measured approach in identifying innovative partners who prioritize student-athletes by positioning them to benefit in this space. With this level of collaboration and resources, Northwestern is poised to be a leader in the world of NIL."
One exciting example is the Northwestern University Field Hockey Team being selected by the DUNKIN brand to join "Team Dunkin" as part of a national campaign. The team was selected to represent "Team Dunkin'" while leveraging their NIL rights and wearing the colors and logos of NU. This relationship marks the first-of-its-kind utilizing official school IP combined with athlete NIL at scale. The program is also comprised of student-athletes from other schools.
NUFH ?? #TeamDunkin
— Northwestern Field Hockey (@NUFHCats) December 6, 2022
We're SO excited to announce that NUFH is teaming up with @dunkindonuts to keep us going in the offseason and prepare us for all that 2023 has in store!
?? https://t.co/l1IsgsvlFI pic.twitter.com/cyTmHQjzPC
"It's great to have the opportunity to represent Dunkin' while also promoting Northwestern's athletic program," said Maddie Zimmer, a junior and member of the Field Hockey team. "This partnership allows us to use our NIL rights in a way that benefits both ourselves and our university."
Additionally, Wildcats now have custom NIL apparel available for purchase through the Northwestern NIL Store powered by Campus Ink. The Northwestern NIL Store is every fan's one-stop-shop to score officially licensed NIL Wildcat apparel and directly support their favorite student-athletes. The Northwestern NIL Store is just the latest development in the world of NIL apparel as earlier this year seven NU teams were selected to have apparel featured by global sports merchandise leader Fanatics.
This NIL success and collaboration is not limited just to the world of apparel. Robbie Beran, forward for Northwestern's basketball team, has teamed up with Power Plate, and appears in a custom video endorsement piece that shows him in basketball action and using Power Plate devices. This video content has been shared on social media as well as on the videoboard during games at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Power Plate is a global company delivering advanced technology solutions through its health and wellness equipment.
These opportunities are just the beginning, as Northwestern's partnerships with ASP and Learfield are set to continue growing. "Our mission is to provide student-athletes with first-class resources in the area of NIL," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics & Recreation, Dr. Derrick Gragg. "We are committed to ensuring our student-athletes have the support and guidance they need to make the most of their NIL rights while balancing their academic and athletic commitments."
Northwestern is taking a hands-on approach to helping their student-athletes make the most of their NIL rights. Led by on-campus NIL GM Brad Bauer, the university's immersive ICON NIL program is designed to educate and empower student-athletes to achieve their desired NIL goals. The program offers comprehensive support services to athletics departments, including customized guidance and education for all stakeholders.
With Northwestern's commitment to providing first-class resources for their student-athletes, the sky's the limit for these aspiring young stars.
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