K-State collective joins national association to better aid Wildcats with NIL deals
The primary collective that supports Kansas State sports with NIL deals and sponsorship opportunities for its student-athletes has joined a national association of NIL groups that will help it better aid the Wildcats.
On Thursday, Wildcat NIL became a member of The Collective Association, a move that will allow it to join forces with other major collectives from across the country.
Founding members of TCA include Classic City Collective (Georgia), Spyre Sports Group (Tennessee), The Groce Collective (Mississippi), The Battle’s End (Florida State), House of Victory (Southern California), Champions Circle (Michigan) and Happy Valley United (Penn State).
K-State joined them along with 10 other new collectives this week, including Mass Street Collective (Kansas) and Every True Tiger (Missouri).
Other prominent new members of TCA are Garnet Trust (South Carolina), The 1870 Society (Ohio State), The 5430 Foundation (Colorado), Desert Takeover (Arizona), The Royal Blue (BYU), Sun Angel Collective (Arizona State) and 502 Circle (Louisville).
Former K-State wide receiver Curry Sexton, who now works as a lawyer and helps lead Wildcat NIL, said it was a no-brainer to join up with the national association.
“We will have a seat at the table,” Sexton said, “for a group that will likely have some sort of input or say in how things go for the next couple of years, as it relates to NIL, revenue sharing and whatever else it may be. It is important that Kansas State have a seat at that table. We are going to be having constant dialogue with some of the most prominent NIL leaders and groups in the country. There is a ton of benefit to that.”
The Collective Association aims to “advocate for student-athletes, share best practices and act as a unified voice to shape the development of the NIL market and beyond.”
Members of TCA will also try to work together by sharing information on how they have found success with NIL deals that positively impact student-athletes, schools and communities.
Sexton is hopeful that whenever national or regional questions arise on NIL collectives in the future, this association will give Wildcat NIL and other groups a voice to provide answers and help do what is best for college athletics.
“There are just so many benefits that will come from this,” Sexton said. “There is also some brand recognition. I think being involved with this could raise our profile in the NIL space.”
This story was originally published August 17, 2023 at 8:16 AM with the headline "K-State collective joins national association to better aid Wildcats with NIL deals."