Huge NIL news for Michigan Athletics announced on Friday

Today is a massive day for the University of Michigan and Michigan Athletics, as some brand new NIL news was just announced. Earlier today (Friday, August 11th), the Champions Circle NIL collective announced that it is now the official partner of UMich Athletics, marking the first partnership of its kind in Ann Arbor.

Michigan Athletics and Champions Circle reach ground-breaking agreement

For the first time ever, Michigan Athletics is now officially working directly with an NIL collective, pushing the University of Michigan even further ahead when it comes to NIL and more. The Champions Circle NIL collective, which has been a major success for the community and helped the Wolverines become a frontrunner in NIL deals, is now officially partnered with Michigan Athletics.

“We are thrilled to welcome Champions Circle as the first U of M connected collective to achieve the status as an official partner of Michigan Athletics,” said Warde Manuel, the Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics at the University of Michigan. “Champions Circle has been thoughtful and proactive in its approach to supportive NIL activities for student-athletes across our entire athletic department. They have done tremendous work to properly leverage our marks to benefit our young people.”

What does this mean for the University of Michigan and its journey with NIL?

But what exactly does this mean for Michigan Athletics, and how will it impact the school moving forward?

“Champions Circle is permitted to utilize Michigan’s intellectual property (including the famed “Block M”) in connection with Champions Circle’s public events and in Champions Circle’s marketing, fundraising, and other promotional activities,” read this morning’s press release on this ground-breaking partnership. “The collective can also integrate promotional and informational content regarding Champions Circle’s NIL initiatives into Michigan football and basketball-related broadcasts and podcasts; employ the reach of Michigan’s dedicated online assets (including MGoBlue.com) to promote Champions Circle’s NIL-related activities on those platforms; and establish a marketing and promotional presence for Champions Circle inside the gates of Michigan Stadium and within many other University of Michigan venues.”

Further adding to the excitement of this morning’s announcement, Champions Circle Director Anna Britnell said, “The ‘Block M’ is the most powerful brand in collegiate athletics. This partnership will afford Champions Circle the opportunity to collaborate with the University of Michigan to greatly enhance the NIL landscape for Michigan student-athletes.”

This is incredible news for the University of Michigan and Michigan Athletics as it further establishes the Wolverines as a leader in the new landscape of college football and more.

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