UConn Launches NIL Marketplace for Student-Athletes

The University of Connecticut has expanded its partnership with Opendorse to include an official Name, Image, and Likeness Marketplace, which will allow for UConn student-athletes to engage in NIL activity with fans, and local and national sponsors more securely and seamlessly.  The NIL Marketplace will provide another level of support from Opendorse as UConn student-athletes explore NIL endeavors.

In July of 2021, UConn and Opendorse partnered to assist student-athletes in the areas of rules education, ease of content sharing, and NCAA rules compliance monitoring.

“From the outset, Opendorse has been the foremost visionary, the industry leader in student-athlete and institution support and has found ways to creatively stay ahead of this fluid NIL landscape that we in collegiate athletics have embraced,” director of athletics David Benedict said.  “We are proud to augment our existing partnership with Opendorse with the launch of its NIL Marketplace technology.  I am confident this addition will allow for us to continue to support our student-athletes who choose to engage in NIL activities at an elite level.”

The existing relationship with Opendorse will allow for student-athletes to take advantage of the NIL Marketplace more readily, as hundreds of Huskies have created an Opendorse profile and have a familiarity with the platform.  The Marketplace will allow companies, fans, and other entities interested in entering into an NIL agreement with UConn student-athletes to easily make contact.  Student-athletes will review opportunities, disclose all NIL agreements to UConn as school policy requires, and accept compensation directly through the Opendorse app.

Parties interested in connecting with a student-athlete to propose an NIL activity can simply visit UConnHuskies.com/NILMarketplace.  Examples of how fans can engage easily and securely with UConn student-athletes via the Marketplace include autograph signings, in-person or virtual appearances at birthday parties and other events, video shoutouts, and private lessons.

Opendorse launched its initial school-specific NIL marketplaces with six university partners during the spring of 2022. Student-athletes at these institutions experienced a 193% increase in NIL opportunities in the first month after the marketplace’s launch.

The Opendorse-powered marketplace is built on a decade of athlete marketing technology and experience. Opendorse has facilitated hundreds of thousands of NIL deals and endorsements with athletes at every level of sports. The marketplace is used by over 75,000 athletes to manage deals from pitch to payment, and even tax prep, every day.

“UConn has embraced the NIL era with confidence and the utmost support for its student-athletes,” said Opendorse CEO Blake Lawrence. “Today’s launch of their NIL Marketplace is the next step to maximizing opportunities for every UConn Husky. Now, any fan or brand can confidently offer compliant NIL deals to their favorite UConn student-athletes in just seconds.”

About Opendorse
Opendorse, the NIL company, is the leading technology provider in the athlete endorsement 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, over 100 professional and collegiate sports teams.