RICHMOND, VA [9/21/2023] – VCU Athletics and Advance NIL (ADVANCE) have reached a strategic partnership agreement that will supply student-athletes with unparalleled name, image and likeness education, consulting, development and more.

The pact will educate VCU student-athletes through workshops, both on-campus and via Zoom, on a wide-range of NIL elements, such as brand leveraging, decision-making, contracts, social media, financial literacy and more.

 

"VCU has been fortunate enough to have ADVANCE come on-campus the last two academic years. They have been a phenomenal resource for VCU student-athletes over that period of time. Their ability to engage and connect with student-athletes on topics related to NIL are unmatched. VCU is excited to begin an enhanced relationship with ADVANCE. As NIL continues to evolve, VCU wants to ensure that we are on the forefront in providing educational services to our student-athletes. Our partnership with ADVANCE provides us assurances that we will do just that," said VCU Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed McLaughlin.

VCU Athletics began working with ADVANCE in 2021 to help its student-athletes navigate the emerging NIL space. This week’s agreement will provide expanded, year-round services and will allow VCU student-athletes to maximize their NIL potential.

 

“VCU was one of the first institutions to wrap their arms around the idea of educating and equipping their student-athletes for NIL,” said ADVANCE Co-Founder and Managing Partner Courtney Altemus. “They recognize this education is an opportunity to build out career and life skills, so they have embraced it.  We look forward to this amplified partnership and the value it will bring to all constituents.”

For more information about ADVANCE, please visit https://advancenil.com/ or contact Ashley Wechter (Director, Collegiate Partnerships) at awechter@AdvanceNIL.com.

About Advance NIL
Advance NIL (ADVANCE) is an unbiased industry leader in Name, Image and Likeness Education, Consulting and Athlete Development. They empower high school, collegiate, pro athletes, their families, and the entire ecosystem through financial, legal, business and life skills education. To date, ADVANCE has supported over 30 universities, most notably elite Power 5's but prides itself on its diverse client pool. They have an award-winning NIL Protective Education program and have collaborated with over a dozen NFL teams, the NFL Players Association, the NCAA, PIAA, MIAA, the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) and the Jr. NBA. Our team's diversity and real-world experiences provide enhanced relatability and unparalleled engagement and enrichment. ADVANCE is an organization that places a strong emphasis on excellence, being agile and elevating the standard across the sports industry. #AdvancingAthletes

VCU ATHLETICS | Contact: Chris Kowalczyk | Office: 804-828-8818 or Cell: 330-348-6869