Creighton Partners With Opendorse to Launch NIL Readiness Program for Student-Athletes
OMAHA, Neb. -- Creighton University Athletics announced today the launch of Take Flight, a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Readiness program powered by Opendorse Ready. With experience maximizing endorsement value for thousands of professional athletes since 2012, Opendorse Ready provides proven endorsement management solutions to prepare student-athletes for coming changes to NIL policy.
"The NIL movement is an enormous moment for college athletics," said Creighton Head Men's Basketball Coach Greg McDermott. "These changes will offer a real opportunity for student-athletes, and I'm proud that our program is ready to innovate as change becomes reality. The Opendorse Ready program will give our student-athletes the technology, resources, and education to hit the ground running when the changes take effect."
The launch of Take Flight marks Creighton as the first BIG EAST program to launch an NIL readiness program. It also positions Creighton among the first 20 schools nationwide to join Opendorse Ready. The Bluejays join Clemson, Louisville, and Indiana, among others.
By joining now, Creighton is able to bring Opendorse Ready's NIL readiness solutions to every student-athlete at the University. The program provides three core pillars to student-athlete success: Assessment, Education, and Performance – tailored to assist each individual athlete.
"I believe the upcoming NIL legislation has the potential to be the most impactful legislation in my 40 years in Division I athletics," said Bruce Rasmussen, Creighton McCormick Endowed Athletic Director. "It will impact coaches, staff, universities, current players and potential players and their families. We are excited about our partnership with Opendorse. They will not only give us a foundational aspect of compliance and education, but will also help to educate us in marketing, branding, social media and the contractual aspect of student-athletes so that we can recruit and retain student-athletes with the value-added proposition of building their brand."
"NIL readiness is quickly becoming tablestakes in college athletics," Opendorse CEO Blake Lawrence said. "Creighton has embraced its importance, understanding that a program is more than a recruiting pitch; it's a commitment to helping players develop meaningful skills and value that will assist them well beyond their time on campus. It's exciting for us to bring on a great program from our home-state in Nebraska."
"The landscape of college athletics will be changing with the new Name, Image and Likeness legislation," said Creighton Head Volleyball coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth. "I applaud Creighton for again being forward thinking for our student-athletes to be in the best situation to make the most out of this opportunity. Our partnership with Opendorse is a huge step in our preparedness—and an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes. Not only are we making our athletes the best they can be on the court and field, but we are helping them build their brand for life."
Founded by Nebraska Football alumni Blake Lawrence and Adi Kunalic, Opendorse has become a proven market leader in helping sports organizations and their athletes prepare and execute social media programs to increase the value of their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). More than 25,000 athletes currently use Opendorse to maximize their endorsement value in collaboration with partners on social media. Opendorse has partnered with the NHL, NFLPA, NBPA, PGA Tour and others while brands like Pepsi, Procter & Gamble and EA Sports also use the platform.
About Opendorse
Opendorse powers the athlete endorsement ecosystem. Today more than 25,000 athletes around the world use the sports technology company to build their personal brands by publishing social media content from partners including 100+ college athletics programs, dozens of professional teams, the PGA TOUR, NHL, NFLPA, NBPA, and hundreds of sponsors.
The platform is purpose-built for athletes make the most of their moment and to capture the massive opportunity at-hand with the organizations they're connected to. From All-Americans to All-Pros – when athletes maximize endorsement value alongside their partners and organizations – they do it with Opendorse.
"The NIL movement is an enormous moment for college athletics," said Creighton Head Men's Basketball Coach Greg McDermott. "These changes will offer a real opportunity for student-athletes, and I'm proud that our program is ready to innovate as change becomes reality. The Opendorse Ready program will give our student-athletes the technology, resources, and education to hit the ground running when the changes take effect."
The launch of Take Flight marks Creighton as the first BIG EAST program to launch an NIL readiness program. It also positions Creighton among the first 20 schools nationwide to join Opendorse Ready. The Bluejays join Clemson, Louisville, and Indiana, among others.
By joining now, Creighton is able to bring Opendorse Ready's NIL readiness solutions to every student-athlete at the University. The program provides three core pillars to student-athlete success: Assessment, Education, and Performance – tailored to assist each individual athlete.
"I believe the upcoming NIL legislation has the potential to be the most impactful legislation in my 40 years in Division I athletics," said Bruce Rasmussen, Creighton McCormick Endowed Athletic Director. "It will impact coaches, staff, universities, current players and potential players and their families. We are excited about our partnership with Opendorse. They will not only give us a foundational aspect of compliance and education, but will also help to educate us in marketing, branding, social media and the contractual aspect of student-athletes so that we can recruit and retain student-athletes with the value-added proposition of building their brand."
"NIL readiness is quickly becoming tablestakes in college athletics," Opendorse CEO Blake Lawrence said. "Creighton has embraced its importance, understanding that a program is more than a recruiting pitch; it's a commitment to helping players develop meaningful skills and value that will assist them well beyond their time on campus. It's exciting for us to bring on a great program from our home-state in Nebraska."
"The landscape of college athletics will be changing with the new Name, Image and Likeness legislation," said Creighton Head Volleyball coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth. "I applaud Creighton for again being forward thinking for our student-athletes to be in the best situation to make the most out of this opportunity. Our partnership with Opendorse is a huge step in our preparedness—and an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes. Not only are we making our athletes the best they can be on the court and field, but we are helping them build their brand for life."
Founded by Nebraska Football alumni Blake Lawrence and Adi Kunalic, Opendorse has become a proven market leader in helping sports organizations and their athletes prepare and execute social media programs to increase the value of their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). More than 25,000 athletes currently use Opendorse to maximize their endorsement value in collaboration with partners on social media. Opendorse has partnered with the NHL, NFLPA, NBPA, PGA Tour and others while brands like Pepsi, Procter & Gamble and EA Sports also use the platform.
About Opendorse
Opendorse powers the athlete endorsement ecosystem. Today more than 25,000 athletes around the world use the sports technology company to build their personal brands by publishing social media content from partners including 100+ college athletics programs, dozens of professional teams, the PGA TOUR, NHL, NFLPA, NBPA, and hundreds of sponsors.
The platform is purpose-built for athletes make the most of their moment and to capture the massive opportunity at-hand with the organizations they're connected to. From All-Americans to All-Pros – when athletes maximize endorsement value alongside their partners and organizations – they do it with Opendorse.
