NOCAP Sports Newsletter 🚀

Hi NOCAP Sports Fam,

Welcome to the October edition of the NOCAP Sports newsletter! As we head deeper into the fall season 🍁, we’re excited to share the latest updates from the NIL space. Whether you’re planning your next campaign or looking to stay informed, we’ve got everything you need.

In this issue, you will find:

• 🎥 New Media Companies: Tennessee’s Launch of “Rock Media” & South Carolina’s “1801 Media”

• 🌮 Campaign Spotlight: José Olé & Kameron Nelson

• 🧘‍♂️ CBD in NIL: Evolving Partnerships in College Athletics

• ⚖️ NIL Legal News: House v NCAA Settlement

• 🏀 March Madness Marketing Strategies: Prepare Early for Maximum Impact

• 💰Universities and Collectives: NOCAP Revenue Solutions

🎥 New Media Companies: Tennessee’s Launch of Rock Media & South Carolina’s 1801 Media

We’re excited to announce the launch of Rock Media on October 16th, in partnership with College Sports Co. This new media network will give fans an exclusive, all-access pass to the lives of Tennessee athletes, straight from Rocky Top 🏔️! From behind-the-scenes moments to in-depth stories, Rock Media will bring you closer than ever to the Vols, showcasing their journeys both on and off the field 🧡.

Additionally, South Carolina’s media network, 1801 Media, has officially launched 🚀! This channel is set to give fans a closer look at Gamecock athletes like never before🐔.

“1801 Media creates a new and innovative way for brands to engage the community, fanbase, and student body,” said NOCAP Sports CEO Nicholas Lord. “Through 1801, brands will now be able to support the athletes and their success, while driving a real return on their marketing investment for their businesses. We’re bringing brands to the forefront of the fanbase.”

Get ready for exclusive content, untold stories, and behind-the-scenes access. Check out the press release announcement from On3 here.

If you’re a collective and want to learn more about how you can get involved, visit https://nocapsports.io/contact/

🌮 Campaign Spotlight: José Olé & Kameron Nelson

This fall, we partnered with José Olé, a brand from Ajinomoto Foods, to elevate awareness of their delicious frozen taquitos 🌯. Our social-first campaign showcased how college athletes are integrating #TaquitoTimeOut into their back-to-school routines 📚.

Among the standout athletes featured in this campaign is Kameron Nelson, a member of the Ohio State Gymnastics Team 🤸‍♂️ and the USA National Team. Kameron creatively incorporated #TaquitoTimeOut into his busy schedule of flips and turns, captivating his niche fanbase in Men’s Gymnastics. His authentic and engaging content resonated with his followers, helping to achieve an impressive 10.85% engagement rate 📈.

🧘‍♂️ CBD in NIL: Evolving Partnerships in College Athletics

CBD legislation is evolving 🌱 and becoming more permissible at the state level. In professional sports, CBD is gaining traction in endorsements and sponsorships. For example, Charlotte’s Web is now the “Official CBD of the MLB” ⚾, and both the NBA and WNBA have recently allowed athletes to promote CBD brands, as long as they aren’t associated with cannabis.

For college athletes, while NCAA rules don’t prohibit CBD NIL deals, athletes must ensure these partnerships comply with state laws and their university’s NIL policies 📝.

A significant example of this shift is the University of Southern California’s recent partnership with the wellness brand Cookies, marking the first CBD/cannabis deal in NCAA history. This groundbreaking partnership highlights the rapidly changing NIL landscape and the growing acceptance of CBD in college sports.

At NOCAP Sports, we’ve collaborated with Lazarus Naturals, featuring former college athletes turned influencers in campaigns that spotlight the benefits of CBD. As more universities and athletes explore these opportunities, CBD partnerships are unlocking even more potential in the wellness NIL space 🧘‍♂️.

⚖️ NIL Legal News: House v NCAA Settlement

As NOCAP Sports Co-Founder and Chief Compliance Officer, Casey Floyd, Esq. brings over a decade of experience navigating NCAA regulations and advocating for athlete rights. With his background as the former Director of Compliance at the University of Michigan, Casey is uniquely positioned to offer expert insights into the ever-evolving NIL landscape 📚.

Here’s the latest on the House v NCAA settlement:

The House v NCAA settlement received preliminary approval on October 7th. This approval was expected since the standard for preliminary approval is low—it only requires the lawsuit to be considered reasonable. Now, a third-party company will notify athletes about how to opt-in, opt-out, or object to the settlement. There will also be a website where athletes can view how much they may personally receive if the settlement is fully approved, likely by April 2025 📅.

This settlement, while offering potential revenue sharing for athletes 💰, raises several important considerations 🤔:

• The NCAA will gain new enforcement powers ⚖️, a significant change from its previous role. Athletes need to consider if they are comfortable with the NCAA having these additional powers.

• Schools are allowed, but not required, to make payments to athletes, and those payments are capped. This also impacts collectives, which are central to NIL deals for many athletes.

• An identical lawsuit in Colorado, Fontenot v NCAA, presents an economic report suggesting a higher potential value for athletes than the House settlement. Athletes should review both reports to better understand their options.

• The settlement includes a $700 million dollar payment to the athletes’ attorneys 💼, which raises questions about the overall terms agreed upon.

• Additionally, the NCAA/P5 conferences are lobbying Congress for antitrust immunity, which would prevent future lawsuits from athletes. As part of the settlement, the athletes’ attorneys have agreed to support this lobbying effort.

While revenue sharing is a significant step forward, athletes should carefully weigh the implications of this settlement before making their decision. Stay tuned for more updates as we move toward the final approval.

-Casey Floyd 

🏀 March Madness Marketing Strategies

Now is the time for brands to start planning their marketing strategies to take full advantage of the tournament’s reach and excitement. Last year, the men’s games averaged 17.8 million viewers per game 📺, and ad spending hit $1.16 billion (Nielsen, 2023). The women’s side is also experiencing a surge in popularity—viewership for the 2023 NCAA Women’s Championship game jumped 103% 📈 compared to the previous year.

By starting early, brands can develop campaigns that speak to both dedicated fans and casual viewers 🎯, while also making the most of the growing interest in women’s sports 🏀. College sports fans are known for being highly engaged, and they’re 36% more likely to interact with digital ads than other sports fans, opening the door for creative digital activations (Statista, 2023).

Whether it’s securing prime ad spots, partnering with athletes, or building interactive social campaigns 📲, early planning gives brands the flexibility to make a big impact and capitalize on trending moments as they develop. With the unpredictability and passion surrounding March Madness, brands can connect with audiences in real time, tapping into the emotional highs and lows of the tournament. Engaging with both the men’s and women’s tournaments lets brands reach a wider, more diverse fan base, while building buzz and deepening customer relationships that last beyond the final buzzer 🏆.

If you’re looking to amplify your next campaign, let’s chat about how we can help! Reach out to John Martinelli at [email protected]!

💰Universities and Collectives: NOCAP Revenue Solutions

NOCAP Sports is proud to launch NOCAP Revenue Solutions 💼, a platform designed to generate sustainable 7-figure revenue for universities and their collectives through commercial partnerships. Currently, 20 universities are already on track to reach this milestone, paving the way for continued success 🚀.

If you’re interested in learning how NOCAP can assist with your university’s revenue solutions, please reach out to Adam Gunn at [email protected]!