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.

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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

Social Media
53%

content creation

Content Creation
13%

endorsements

Endorsements
13%

Appearances

Appearances
10%

Merchandise

Merchandise
6%

Autographs

Autographs
5%


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
a map of UConn Connecticut, New York, Boston, and ESPN, all connected through a road
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NIL Resources

Support Structure

Administration

Jason Butikofer

Jason Butikofer

Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Director of Athletics


Catherine Zuppani

Catherine Zuppani

Assistant Athletic Director, Athletics Administration

Compliance

Eric Schneider

Eric Schneider

Associate Athletic Director, Compliance


Will Aloia

Will Aloia

Assistant Athletic Director, Compliance

Husky Advantage Center

Ellen Tripp

Ellen Tripp

Associate Athletic Director, SASP


Riley Fitzgerald

Riley Fitzgerald

Director of Athletic Leadership


Rachel Howard

Rachel Howard

Director of Athletic Enrichment

Werth Institute

David Noble

David Noble

Director, Werth Institute


Tara Watrous

Tara Watrous

Head of Entrepreneurial Transformation

Strategic Partnerships and Brand Management

Kyle Muncy

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.

Learn More

Partner with NIL at UConn

student athlete examples

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.

Opendorse Marketplace
Press Release

UConn and Opendorse

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.

Press Release

UConn Brandr

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

Bleed Blue for Good organization

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

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

Review UConn NIL Policy

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.

Learn More

What are UConn’s Brand Standards?

UConn’s brand guidelines reflect the proud history and strength as a top public research university.

Visit Brand.UConn.edu

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.

Review NCAA Guidance Regarding Third Party Involvement

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.

Submit a request

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.