NIL Marketplace by UConn
STORRS, Conn. – The University of Connecticut has expanded its partnership with Opendorse with an official Name, Image, Likeness Marketplace that will allow UConn student-athletes to engage in NIL activities with fans and local and national sponsors in a safer and more seamless way. The NIL Marketplace will provide another layer of support from Opendorse as UConn student athletes explore the NIL effort.
In July 2021, UConn and Opendorse partnered to support student athletes with rules education, easy content sharing and monitoring of NCAA rule compliance.
“From the beginning, Opendorse has been the leading visionary, the industry leader in supporting students, athletes and institutions, and has found ways to creatively stay ahead of this fluid NIL landscape that we have embraced in collegiate athletics,” Director of Athletics David Benedict said. “We are proud to expand our existing partnership with Opendorse with the launch of their NIL Marketplace technology. I am confident that with this addition we will continue to support our student-athletes who choose NIL activities at the elite level be able.”
The existing relationship with Opendorse will allow student-athletes to more easily use the NIL marketplace as hundreds of huskies have created an Opendorse profile and are familiar with the platform. The marketplace allows easy contact for companies, fans and other entities interested in entering into a NIL agreement with UConn student-athletes. Student-athletes will explore opportunities, pass on all NIL agreements to UConn as per school policy and accept compensation directly through the Opendorse app.
Parties interested in getting in touch with a student athlete to propose a NIL activity can simply visit UConnHuskies.com/NILMarketplace. Examples of how fans can easily and securely connect with UConn athletic students through the marketplace include autograph sessions, in-person or virtual appearances at birthday parties and other events, video shoutouts, and private lessons.
Opendorse launched its first school-specific NIL marketplaces with six university partners in Spring 2022. Student athletes at these institutions saw a 193% increase in NIL opportunities in the first month after the marketplace launch.
The marketplace powered by Opendorse is built on a decade of athlete marketing experience and technology. Opendorse has facilitated hundreds of thousands of NIL deals and contracts with athletes of all levels of sport. The marketplace is used daily by over 75,000 athletes to manage business from pitch to payment and even tax prep.
“UConn has embraced the NIL era with confidence and the utmost support for its student-athletes,” said Blake Lawrence, CEO of Opendorse. “Today’s launch of their NIL Marketplace is the next step in maximizing opportunities for every UConn Husky. Now any fan or brand can offer their favorite UConn student-athletes with confidence compliant NIL offerings in just seconds.”
About Opendorse
Opendorse, the NIL company, is the leading technology provider in the sports advertising industry. More than 80,000 athletes use Opendorse to understand, build and monetize their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), with support from thousands of brands, fans, sponsors, donors and partners including Team USA, PGA TOUR, NFLPA , MLBPA, WNBPA, LPGA, 100+ professional and collegiate sports teams.
