Name, Image, Likeness
at UConn
NIL @ UConn
As the landscape of college athletics continues to change, UConn has embraced the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era with confidence. We consistently strive to support our student-athletes in this space with the primary goal of enhancing this support system inclusive of partnerships and resources.
We believe this approach will provide a broad range of opportunities for our student athletes, subsequently displaying a track record that will maximize our competitiveness and recruiting efforts while allowing us to achieve at the highest levels.
Ways to Support
NIL Deal Categories at UConn
Below is a breakdown of the types of deals UConn student-athletes are utilizing to monetize their Name, Image and Likeness.
Social Media
Content Creation
Endorsements
Appearances
Merchandise
Autographs
Brand Growth
Student-athletes are regularly showcased to millions of households on a variety of national and regional networks.
Television Market Data
Television Market Data
| Television Market | Households |
|---|---|
| New York | 7.4M |
| Boston | 2.4M |
| Hartford-New Haven | 964K |
National Television Partnerships
National Television Partnerships
| Network | Households |
|---|---|
| ESPN | 85 Million |
| ESPN+ | 17 Million |
| CBS | 115 Million |
| CBS Sports | 55 Million |
| FOX | 115 Million |
| FS1 | 80 Million |
| FS2 | 50 Million |
| SNY | 11 Million |
NIL Resources
Support Structure
Administration
Jason Butikofer
Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Director of Athletics
Catherine Zuppani
Associate Athletic Director, External Operations & NIL Strategy
Compliance
Eric Schneider
Associate Athletic Director, Compliance
Will Aloia
Assistant Athletic Director, Compliance
Husky Advantage Center
Ellen Tripp
Associate Athletic Director, SASP
Riley Fitzgerald
Director of Athletic Leadership
Ashley Branagan
Director of Personal and Professional Development
Werth Institute
David Noble
Director, Werth Institute
Tara Watrous
Head of Entrepreneurial Transformation
Strategic Partnerships and Brand Management
Kyle Muncy
Director of Brand Partnerships and Trademark Management
Championship Labs at the Werth Institute
Your Playbook to Monetizing NIL
Championship Labs at The Werth Institute educates and inspires student-athletes to become entrepreneurs to their name, image and likeness (NIL). We work one-on-one with students to create a blueprint to monetize their personal brand while empowering them with the skillsets of an entrepreneur.
Partner with NIL at UConn
Opendorse Marketplace
In July of 2021, UConn Athletics partnered with Opendorse and its NIL package, including Opendorse Ready with Darlow, Monitor, and Social, to educate and support student-athletes who wish to monetize their name, image, and likeness. The partnership expanded in September of 2022 when Opendorse launched its Marketplace platform, which has streamlined the process for potential sponsors who wish to engage with UConn student-athletes. To date, 124 different UConn student-athletes have used the Opendorse platform to disclose a total of 372 NIL deals.
The Brandr Group
The collaboration with TBG allows for the collective use of student-athletes' NIL in licensing, co-branded with UConn logos and marks. Student-athletes will have the option to voluntarily join a group licensing program and TBG will facilitate group licensing opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes.
Learfield
UConn’s multimedia rights holder, Learfield, engages in the education of current and potential corporate partners in the NIL space, which allows UConn student-athletes to align themselves with potential opportunities that match their ideals and personalities.
Collectives
Bleeding Blue for Good
Helping to support UConn student athletes by providing income earning opportunities that assist charitable causes, including interactions with youths from low-income families in the state of Connecticut for whom the student athletes may serve as role models
D'Amelio Huskies Collective
Founded by social media influencer and UConn alum Marc D'Amelio, The D'Amelio Huskies Collective seeks to help UConn student-athletes build their brands on social media and to engage in endorsement opportunities that will help enhance their personal brand.
FAQ
What is UConn’s NIL Policy?
To establish a policy pursuant to which University of Connecticut student-athletes are permitted by the University to earn compensation through an endorsement contract or employment in an activity unrelated to an intercollegiate athletic program; and obtain legal or professional representation of an attorney or sports agent through a written agreement, provided that in each case, the student-athlete complies with the terms and conditions of this policy and applicable law.
What are UConn NIL Procedures?
What is the State of Connecticut NIL Legislation?
Governor Lamont signs legislation making it easier for student-athletes to obtain endorsement deals.
What are UConn’s Brand Standards?
UConn’s brand guidelines reflect the proud history and strength as a top public research university.
What are the proper steps to take when engaging in NIL activities?
What are NCAA’s Guidance Regarding Third Party Involvement?
Effective July 1, 2021, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) adopted the Interim Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Policy allowing NCAA student-athletes the opportunity to benefit from their NIL.
NIL activity disclosure information
Student-athletes are required to disclose all NIL activity agreements and contracts for professional services for representation. Disclosure must occur through the Opendorse platform. To disclose an NIL activity, please login to Opendorse
What Forms of NIL Compensation are prohibited?
(a) Compensation for a student-athlete's NIL may not be conditioned on athletic performance or participation.
(b) Compensation for a student-athlete's NIL may not be conditioned on a student-athlete remaining enrolled at the University.
(c) Compensation for a student-athlete's NIL may not be conditioned on a student-athlete enrolling at the University.
(d) Compensation without a clear quid pro quo (e.g., receiving tickets to a sporting event without being required to provide any service in return) is prohibited.
(e) Crowdfunding. (a) Use of crowdfunding platforms (e.g., GoFundMe) or applications used to accept funds from outside individuals (e.g., CashApp, Venmo) will be impermissible if used as a means of pay for play or accepting funds for personal uses (e.g., purchasing a car or house). (b) Crowdfunding platforms may be utilized for the following permissible uses (as per NCAA legislation): a) soliciting funds for use of NIL in regard to fundraising activities for a nonprofit/charitable or educational organization; and b) soliciting funds for actual and necessary expenses for outside competition.
View all UConn's NIL Procedures for more information
Which third parties are student-athletes prohibited from engaging in NIL activities with?
(a) A tobacco company or brand, including any tobacco product, alternative nicotine product, electronic nicotine delivery system, or any electronic nicotine delivery system retailer, or any specialty retailer of electronic nicotine delivery systems or tobacco specialty store.
(b) Any alcoholic beverage company, brand, wholesaler, or store specializing in alcohol retail.
(c) Any marijuana company, product, brand, wholesaler, or store specializing in marijuana retail.
(d) Any seller or dispensary of a controlled substance, as defined by federal law.
(e) Any adult entertainment, sexually suggestive products, or sex-oriented products, services, conduct, imagery, or inferences.
(f) Any product, substance, or method that is prohibited in competition by an athletic association, athletic conference, or other organization governing intercollegiate athletic program competition.
(g) Any gambling activity.
(h) Any company that offers services for homework assistance or paper writing assistance.
View all UConn's NIL Procedures for more information
Student-athletes seeking to use University marks, and/or to reserve an on-campus facility, for NIL activities
Student-athletes seeking to use University marks, and/or to reserve an on-campus facility, for NIL activities must first obtain permission from UConn.
Additional Questions?
Contact Assistant Athletic Director of Athletics Administration Cat Zuppani at nil@uconn.edu
Championship Labs
Your Playbook to Monetizing NIL
Championship Labs at The Werth Institute educates and inspires student-athletes to become entrepreneurs to their name, image and likeness (NIL). We work one-on-one with students to create a blueprint to monetize their personal brand while empowering them with the skillsets of an entrepreneur.
How We Help Student-Athletes
Championship Labs is here to Prepare and Propel student-athletes to maximize NIL opportunities.
Prepare
Personal Profile: During the onboarding process, we work together with student-athletes to develop their identity and recognize their strengths, inner abilities, interests and goals.
Life Skills Building: Workshops, Coffee Chats speaker series, mentoring and one-on-one sessions led by former athletes, entrepreneurs and other leaders will build knowledge in the following areas:
- NIL compliance
- Contracts
- Legal matters
- Networking
- Personal finance
- Crafting professional emails
- Social media
- Taxes
- Student well-being (work/life balance)
Propel
Personalized Revenue Plan: We work individually with each athlete to help leverage their personal strengths in order to accelerate their growth and money-making ability. Opportunities may include but are not limited to:
- Third-party deals: Championship Labs provides guidance with deal sourcing and negotiations.
- Brand development: Our team of professionals help with brand identity, strategy and marketing.
- Launching a company: With a network of serial entrepreneurs and business leaders on hand, most of whom are former athletes, Championships Labs provides an array of entrepreneurial academic and hands-on experiential learning programs along with funding support to launch a business.
