• by Steve McClellan  @mp_mcclellan, October 28, 2021

In June the National Collegiate Athletic Association voted to allow college athletes to earn money and otherwise benefit from their names, images and likenesses (NIL) via endorsements, sponsorships and other commercial endeavors.

Now influencer marketing and branded content agency Sway Group has launched a new recruitment website to capitalize on the new rules and expand its huge influencer network by inviting student athletes to join it.

“The NCAA’s revised rules are great news for both brands and athletes,” says Sway Group founder and CEO Danielle Wiley. “But it’s definitely a whole new world for young athlete influencers.”

Wiley says the firm, which oversees an influencer network of 30,000, is committed to providing the same level of education and support to athletes on becoming successful influencers “that we have always provided to all of our influencers.” 

The new recruiting website is studentathletesponsor.com.

Word of the new recruitment effort follows a strong Q3 for the company which signed several big new agreements during the period to help brands launch influencer programs. Deals were signed with Vision Service Plan (VSP), Shaklee Nutrition Company and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Agreements were also struck with several undisclosed firms including a large, regional healthcare company and a well-known tech giant.

Existing clients include Bradshaw Home, Stonyfield, Post Consumer Brands, Freak Flag Organics, and Igloo.