INFLCRs Nittany Lion Exchange and Accelerate Sports Ventures will provide student-athletes with additional resources to aid in their NIL efforts

From the Penn State Athletic Department

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. Penn State Athletics announced agreements to bring additional Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) resources to its student-athletes. Athletics has partnered with INFLCR to bring the Nittany Lion Exchange to student-athletes to aid in their NIL opportunities. In addition, the department has been working with Accelerate Sports Ventures to produce NIL education and opportunities for student-athletes and all stakeholders.

These partnerships further the resources already in place for Penn State student-athletes, including Campus Ink, Fanatics, and The Wally Triplett Brand Academy in conjunction with Invent Penn State.

Nittany Lion Exchange via INFLCR

Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics teamed with INFLCR to create the Nittany Lion Exchange, allowing student-athletes to pursue NIL business opportunities.

Companies can register for Nittany Lion Exchange now via GoPSUsports.com/exchange. After a company registers on the exchange, it will have access to a searchable database of Penn State student-athletes who have opted in to join the Nittany Lion Exchange. There is the ability to message student-athletes directly in the application or request contact information to begin discussions about any potential NIL opportunity.

Once a NIL agreement is reached, a customized reporting form, which is in compliance with state, NCAA, and Penn States Name, Image, and Likeness guidelines is generated. The Exchange also includes a payment processing tool to pay student-athletes securely and will provide a 1099 form for student-athletes for more efficient tax reporting.

Accelerate Sports Ventures

Accelerate Sports Ventures, headed by Doug Fillis, is a NIL consulting firm to support the NIL vision for the Penn State athletics departments by providing a one-of-a-kind, customer service-first approach, which has led to compelling results for student-athletes. Accelerate Sports Ventures has played an active role in creating and implementing Penn States NIL strategic plans since July and will continue to create alignment across all stakeholders, including student-athletes, coaches, staff, parents, donors, business, collectives and University stakeholders. Accelerate educates all stakeholders and works closely with student-athlete to protect their interests and ensure they understand their responsibilities as they enter NIL agreements.

Campus Ink

The NIL Store powered by Campus Ink has announced Penn State as an official NIL licensee, providing Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) merchandising opportunities for all Nittany Lion student-athletes.

The NIL Store powered by Campus Ink will launch a complete NIL merchandise store for Penn State student-athletes, featuring jerseys and officially licensed apparel. Every student-athlete signed up will possess a personalized digital locker room that will house their merchandise.

The Campus Ink team handles all the creative, product creation, design, marketing, fulfillment, and customer service for its student-athletes. Additionally, Campus Ink works directly with student-athletes to educate them on merchandising, marketing, and sales trends to develop strategies for optimal success.

Fanatics

Penn State Athletics has partnered with Fanatics to sell player jerseys and player sweatshirts/t-shirts for select sports on the official Penn State Fanatics website.

Fans can purchase replica jerseys with their favorite players name on the back for football, mens basketball, and womens basketball. There is also an option for fans to purchase sweatshirts or t-shirts with their favorite players name and number on the back for football, womens soccer, womens volleyball, mens basketball, and womens basketball, with baseball and softball coming this spring, and additional sports coming in the future.

Fanatics, the global leader in sports licensed merchandise, has built a revolutionary commerce business over the past decade that includes a comprehensive on-demand jersey customization platform.

On-Campus Financial and Tax Service Resources

New this semester, the development and enrichment office has partnered with VITA tax services to host open hours where student-athletes can file tax returns with professionals at no cost. Sessions will run from February 1-April 12.

In addition to free tax returns, each student-athlete completes financial literacy programming through the Sokolov-Miller Financial and Life Skills Center. Lessons include budgeting, debt management, investing, credit cards, and after-graduation education.

–NITTANY LIONS–