NILNewsstand’s Post

Unlocking NIL opportunities can mean many things - below is a quick read on how we are supporting and engaging in the space. “One thing is sure: NIL is one of the highest priorities on everyone’s mind in college athletics.”

Title: DePaul University Partners with Wilson & Luxilon DePaul University Athletics in Chicago has announced a new corporate sponsorship with Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and Luxilon, both based in Chicago. This partnership makes Wilson the official racket and string sponsor for the DePaul Blue Demons' men’s and women’s tennis programs, marking Wilson’s first sponsorship of a college athletic team. Through this multifaceted sponsorship, DePaul student-athletes will train and compete with Wilson and Luxilon’s premium tennis products, including rackets, strings, racket bags, and grips. The Blue Demons will exclusively use Wilson’s premium US Open tennis balls, the official ball of the US Open since 1978. As part of the partnership, DePaul University will have access to Wilson’s Innovation Center, where men’s and women’s tennis athletes can test rackets, strings, and other tennis gear. This 40,000-square-foot facility includes a “Spin Lab” that uses Doppler radar devices to analyze the trajectory, spin rate, descent speed, and bounce quality of tennis balls hit by live players, helping racket designers perfect new products. Andy Sticher, College and Promotions Specialist at Wilson Sporting Goods, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, "We are thrilled to announce our first college partnership with the DePaul Blue Demons. Wilson is committed to supporting our local community, and partnering with a well-established sports entity like DePaul University is an ideal match." DeWayne Peevy, Vice President and Director of Athletics at DePaul University, added, "Our new partnership with Wilson and Luxilon represents DePaul’s commitment to providing our student-athletes with a championship experience and enhancing each athletic program. Wilson is a leader in racket sports, and we are fortunate to partner with a brand that shares our commitment to supporting athletes at all levels and engaging with the Chicago community in a meaningful way." DePaul’s men’s tennis program has won three BIG EAST tennis championships and made NCAA tournament appearances in the past four seasons. The women’s program boasts four BIG EAST titles and five NCAA tournament appearances. About DePaul Blue Demons. The DePaul Blue Demons are the athletic teams of DePaul University, competing in NCAA Division I. The men's basketball team is particularly renowned, and the university’s sports teams are significant in Chicago’s sports scene. Both the men’s and women’s tennis programs have achieved outstanding success, hosting numerous events to engage with the local community. This partnership aims for further success for the DePaul Blue Demons and contributions to the Chicago community through joint events with Wilson. #SportsSponsorship #CollegeAthletics #Wilson #Tennis #CommunityEngagement #AthleteSupport**

nothing amateur about the NCAA #sportsjournalism #sportsnews #sportsmedia #sportsmanagement #sportsbiz #sports #sportsevents #sportsentertainment #sportsbusiness #sportsindustry  #sportsmarketing #sportsfan #business #sportbusiness #sport #sportmanagement

Athletics Kenya Cracks Down on Age-Cheating Ahead of World U20 Trials As the national trials to select teams for the World U20 Athletics Championships draw near, Athletics Kenya has issued a stern warning against age-cheating. The trials, set to take place from June 27 to 28 at the Nyayo National Stadium, are a crucial step in identifying the athletes who will represent Kenya at the championships in Lima, Peru, from August 27 to 31, 2024. Barnaba Korir, the director of the Athletics Kenya Youth Affairs Committee, has emphasized the importance of integrity in the selection process. He highlighted the necessity of verifying the ages of all participants to ensure a fair competition and uphold the credibility of Kenyan athletics on the international stage. "We cannot afford to compromise on the issue of age verification. It is crucial for maintaining the integrity of our sport and ensuring that deserving young athletes get the opportunity to compete fairly," Korir stated. "Age-cheating undermines the spirit of competition and the hard work of genuine young athletes." Athletics Kenya has implemented stringent measures to combat age-cheating, including thorough documentation and verification processes. Participants are required to provide valid identification documents, and any discrepancies will be investigated rigorously. The organization has also warned that severe penalties will be imposed on those found guilty of falsifying their ages. Korir's warning comes at a time when age-cheating has been a persistent issue in various youth sports, not just in athletics. By taking a firm stance, Athletics Kenya aims to set a precedent and discourage any attempts to manipulate the system. The upcoming trials at Nyayo National Stadium are expected to attract a high level of competition, as Kenya boasts a rich history of producing world-class athletes. The selected team will carry the hopes of the nation to the World U20 Athletics Championships, where they will compete against the best young athletes from around the globe. As the countdown to the trials continues, athletes, coaches, and officials are urged to adhere to the rules and maintain the highest standards of sportsmanship. The focus remains on fair play, transparency, and showcasing the true talent that Kenya has to offer on the world stage. In conclusion, Barnaba Korir's stern warning underscores the commitment of Athletics Kenya to uphold integrity and fairness in the selection process for the World U20 Athletics Championships. With rigorous age verification measures in place, the organization aims to ensure that the best and genuinely eligible athletes represent Kenya in Lima, Peru, later this year. #AgeCheating #KenyanU20Athletees #WorldU20Trials

This is the future of High School sports as well….

The NIL era has sparked a transformation in collegiate athletics, ushering in the age of the athlete-creator. 🌟 In the two-plus years navigating the NIL space with Out2Win Sports, we've witnessed a clear trend: "athlete-creators" are leading the pack, setting new standards for personal branding and engagement. And it's catching on. More athletes are looking to carve out their niche, to be the next big name both on the field and online. But let's be real—creating content that resonates and aligns with brands is no easy feat. That's where we step in… We're all about elevating the game at Out2Win, which is why we host exclusive athlete-creator content days — where athletes can connect, craft killer content, and catch the eye of potential brand partnerships. 🎥 These sessions are not just about content; they're about community and collaboration in the digital arena. 🚀 Get ready for our next content day: 📅 Friday, November 10th ⏰ 11 AM - 1 PM 📍 Penn State University Stay tuned for updates, and if you're an athlete looking to make your mark, hit us up. We're here to help you stand out, sign deals, and win big in the NIL game. #NIL #AthleteCreators #ContentIsKing #Out2WinSports #SportsMarketing

LinkedIn Sports 30-Day Challenge Day 4: Delving into the world of Athlete Entrepreneurs, spotlighting their business acumen and influence. The landscape of the sports industry, especially in the post-NIL era, is evolving rapidly. While the market has mainly spotlighted on Collectives, Endorsements, and Sponsorships, it’s imperative we shift our gaze towards Business Ventures. This realm, with its undeniable sustainability, beckons athletes to champion personal brand development prior into dividing into representation or endorsement deals. A solid foundation ensures a robust community, which in turn amplified brand affinity. One heavy hitter in this space that is not highlighted enough is Mitchell Pehlke, an alumnus of The Ohio State University Lacrosse. Lacrosse, despite its lesser limelight nationally, has witnessed phenomenal growth courtesy of initiatives the Premier Lacrosse League, Rob Pannell marrying the game with communities like Hip Hop with WuTang Member, Method Man, and Street Lacrosse in New York City with Rich Kleiman. Mitchell’s endeavors in fostering a digital community through platforms like TikTok and YouTube illuminates the path for budding athlete entrepreneurs. Drawing inspiration from Mitchell’s Journey, here are two invaluable lessons for community-building: 🎯 Understand Your Audience: Determining your target demographic and curating tailored content is the linchpin of engagement. Mitchell’s consistent audience nurturing promises lifelong fandom. ♾️: Collaboration Elevates: Mitchell’s recent collaboration for a Lacrosse Camp bolstered by STX, LLC and featuring talent like St. Anthonys High School Alumni: Brennan O’Neill, Andrew Mcadorey, Aidan Danenza, and Owen Duffy, underscores the magic of communal upliftment in sports. - https://lnkd.in/e6tvNMYc As this challenge progresses, join me in exploring NIL’s profound impact, especially within non-conventional sports and athletes. The NIL narrative isn’t confined to the elite athletes and sports; it’s an all-inclusive dialogue where dedication, consistency, and collaboration are the tickets to success. Seeing a sports or music brand strategist? Let’s connect and craft the future of athlete branding together! #LinkedinSportsChallenge #SportsBranding #LinkedInSports #storytelling #athleteentrepreneur #BrandNarrative #StorytellinginSports #opentowork #sportsindustry #sportsbiz #lacrosse #lax

There are groundbreaking updates to report in the realm of college athletic facilities. Read the latest details below in part one of the March edition of the College Athletics Facilities Round-Up from Business of College Sports!