NIL NETWORK INSIGHT
Recap: The West Coast Conference became the first conference to provide league-wide support surrounding athlete NIL and branding when it entered a multi-year partnership with INFLCR. They are hoping the partnership will “enhance the overall engagement and brand identity of the conference”. As part of the deal, the INFLCR software will also be made available to the athletes of the men’s and women’s basketball programs in the WCC.
Observations: A conference partnering with INFLCR is a bit surprising to me as they don’t want the direct recruiting advantages that universities expect from putting resources towards athletes monetizing their NIL. However, as the WCC doesn’t offer football, it was definitely a less expensive deal, especially considering the size of a football roster and the matching of that with women’s programs for Title IX compliance.
It’s unfortunate that the precedent has been set for conference deals to only include their profitable sports. With 15 sports offered in the WCC, the cost to partner with INFLCR for all may have been cost prohibitive. However, it’s another example of the “haves” vs “have nots”; the “have nots” this time being the niche sport athletes.
The West Coast Conference and INFLCR have entered into an innovative multi-year partnership to empower WCC student-athletes to share content in a collaborative model that builds individual and institutional brands on social media.
The WCC is the first conference to provide league-wide support for its member institutions in a partnership with the INFLCR platform that will enhance the overall engagement and brand identity of the conference and its men’s and women’s basketball programs.
“We greatly value the opportunity to empower our student-athletes and provide a platform to help amplify their voice in a unique and collaborative content-sharing model,” West Coast Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said.
“We are thrilled for this innovative partnership with INFLCR that puts the WCC at the forefront in the endeavor to share content among member institutions and the conference that collectively builds brand identity. The WCC-INFLCR partnership enriches the student-athlete experience and offers a content sharing model that meets the appetite for content in the ever-changing social media and collegiate landscape.
“INFLCR is an industry leader with a history of success in content sharing and storytelling that is unmatched,” Commissioner Nevarez added.
“CEO Jim Cavale has created a platform that strategically delivers content, grows engagement and builds individual brands that collectively enhances the overall brand identity of our programs and the conference.”
