Campus Ink and Indiana University have announced an agreement that will provide Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) merchandising opportunities for all IU student-athletes, the school announced on Friday.
In the fall, the NIL Store powered by Campus Ink will launch a complete merchandising store for Indiana student-athletes, featuring officially licensed ‘shirseys’ and apparel. Every athlete will possess a personalized digital locker room which will house their merchandise.
Founded in 1947, Campus Ink announced an investment from famous IU billionaire alumnus Mark Cuban in March.
“I’m really excited that the leading NIL company, Campus Ink, and the best university on the planet, my alma mater, Indiana University, are working together,” said Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks said in an IU release. “The sky is the limit!”
Campus Ink expanded into the NIL space in 2021 and launched the NIL Store, which serves as a merchandising solution for student-athletes and schools. According to Campus Ink, the NIL Store operates with the firm belief that every student-athlete has an opportunity to capitalize on their NIL.
The organization found traction in 2021 building a platform for University of Illinois Men’s’ Basketball players to earn money through jersey and custom apparel sales. They reported that they were able to make athletes at Illinois more than $70,000 in the first six months of operation.
“We are proud to work with Indiana University to provide an NIL merchandising solution for their student-athletes,” said Steven Farag, CEO and co-founder of Campus Ink in the release. “Indiana’s vision of an NIL merchandising solution for all athletes, not just some, aligns directly with Campus Ink’s mission in the NIL space.”
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.
“Campus Ink is the national leader in the NIL merchandise space, making them a perfect fit for our student-athletes,” said IU Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Scott Dolson in an IU release.
“I am excited for what this means not only for our students’ ability to maximize their NIL opportunities, but also for our fans who will have first-of-its-kind opportunities to show their support for our student-athletes and programs with high-end, officially licensed IU merchandise. This is the latest example of IU being at the forefront of this new era of intercollegiate athletics.”
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