UConn partners with Accelerate Sports Ventures for NIL resources

UConn is enhancing its already robust student-athlete NIL resources through a partnership with Accelerate Sports Ventures.

The firm will serve as a consultant for the athletic department in the NIL space and support the NIL activities of all Husky student-athletes.

“We are excited to partner with Accelerate and further demonstrate our commitment to our student-athletes,” said UConn Director of Athletics David Benedict. “We are confident that Doug Fillis and the Accelerate team will bolster our ongoing efforts to support our student-athletes’ NIL activities, while also helping the athletic department navigate the evolving NIL landscape.”

UConn student-athletes, coaches, and staff will have access to Accelerate’s white-glove support on all things NIL. In addition, Accelerate will create and implement NIL strategies and best practices for the department, while supporting the Huskies in their day-to-day NIL efforts.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with and support UConn in providing its student-athletes with the tools to take full advantage of their NIL,” said Accelerate Sports Ventures Founder Doug Fillis. “NIL is about opportunity and empowerment, and we are looking forward to assisting all UConn stakeholders in this new era of college athletics.”

UConn is the latest program to retain Accelerate as its NIL consultancy partner. Accelerate also works with other high-profile universities, including N.C. State, Penn State, Boston College and Utah, as well as 100+ junior colleges, 100+ high schools and various brands to support their NIL initiatives.

Currently, UConn offers its student-athletes several avenues for NIL education and personal growth. Championship Labs at the Werth Institute through the UConn School of Business inspires student-athletes to become entrepreneurs by working with them to create a blueprint to monetize their name, image and likeness.

Since 2021, UConn has maintained a partnership with Opendorse to assist student-athletes in marketing themselves to potential sponsors. Opendorse works with more than 100 professional and collegiate sports teams. To date, over 125 different UConn student-athletes have used the Opendorse platform to disclose nearly 400 NIL deals.

UConn also has a collaboration with The Brandr Group, which allows for the collective use of student-athletes’ NIL in licensing activities, co-branded with university logos and marks. Through this initiative, student-athletes may voluntarily join a group licensing program and The Brandr Group will facilitate licensing opportunities.

Further, UConn’s multi-media rights holder, Learfield, engages in the education of current and prospective corporate partners in the NIL space, which allows student-athletes to align themselves with potential opportunities that match their ideals and personalities.