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Big Money Moves: Endorsements, NIL Deals, Music Industry Shakeups, and New Frontiers in Sports and Streaming | Foster Garvey PC

Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments Mountain America Credit Union obtains naming rights for another Valley sports facilityApril 23, 2025 via Biz Journal Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Signs Prestigious EndorsementApril 23, 2025 via Fort Worth Star Susquehanna-Backed Soccer Shots Builds Pee Wee Sports PowerhouseApril 22, 2025 via Sportico Emma Raducanu loses Vodafone endorsement deal after ‘demanding too […]

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Endorsement Deals, Sponsorships & Investments

Mountain America Credit Union obtains naming rights for another Valley sports facility
April 23, 2025 via Biz Journal

Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes Signs Prestigious Endorsement
April 23, 2025 via Fort Worth Star

Susquehanna-Backed Soccer Shots Builds Pee Wee Sports Powerhouse
April 22, 2025 via Sportico

Emma Raducanu loses Vodafone endorsement deal after ‘demanding too much money’
April 16, 2025 via SportsPro

Jalen Hurts, Serena Williams Among Athletes in Time100; Snoop Dogg to Host Gala
April 15, 2025 via Boardroom


Sports

Here’s How Much Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Draft Slide Could Cost Him
April 25, 2025 via Forbes

Judge delays House settlement over roster limits
April 24, 2025 via Sports Business Journal

Malik Beasley Agency Lawsuit Features Limits on Arbitration
April 24, 2025 via Sportico

NFL Draft 2025: Is The League Ready For New Stars — Like Cam Ward, Abdul Carter And Travis Hunter?
April 24, 2025 via Forbes

PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic extends title sponsorship through 2030
April 24, 2025 via WGNO ABC News

Women’s flag football grows on college campuses, from startup clubs to varsity teams with NFL boost
April 23, 2025 via Anchorage Daily News

College sports enter new era with NIL deals
April 22, 2025 via Southwest Times

Dallas just signed a basketball star Nico Harrison isn’t allowed to trade
April 22, 2025 via SB Nation

NCAA Greenlights Major Rule Change Letting Schools Pay Athletes—If A Judge Approves
April 22, 2025 via Forbes

NFL scouts make adjustments as they navigate evolving college football world ahead of draft
April 19, 2025 via Times of Northwest Indiana

Livvy Dunne makes big announcement
April 19, 2025 via Larry Brown Sports

Thompson High School football player declines $750,000 NIL deal to stay in state, trainer says
April 18, 2025 via WVTM 13


Music Biz

Universal Music Group’s $775 Million Acquisition of Downtown to Be Scrutinized by European Regulators
April 25, 2025 via Variety

Meta launches Edits, a rival to TikTok parent-owned CapCut, with plans for expanded music options, including ‘royalty-free’
April 24, 2025 via Music Business Worldwide

Diplo Inks Global Admin Deal With Warner Chappell: ‘One of the Most Accomplished Artists and Music Pioneers’
April 23, 2025 via Digital Music News

Cookie giant Crumbl, reportedly eyeing $2bn sale, sued by Warner Music Group over ‘massive’ copyright infringement in TikTok posts
April 23, 2025 via Music Business Worldwide

‘You Are Somehow a Villain If You Use It’: Tons of Music Producers Are Secretly Using AI, New Study Reveals
April 21, 2025 via Entrepreneur Magazine

Coachella: The music festival-turned ‘marketing mecca’
April 18, 2025 via Campaign Live


Film & TV

MSG Networks nearing deal to avoid bankruptcy, could lead to YES Network merger
April 24, 2025 via Awful Announcing

Shaquille O’Neal reaches settlement in FTX lawsuit, terms remain secret
April 24, 2025 via Cointelegraph

Author Claims Meghan Markle ‘Pearl’ Netflix Project “Similar To Own Work” – report
April 20, 2025 via Deadline

Fat Joe’s Life Story Is Coming to Starz With Help from Kenya Barris
April 19, 2025 via Baller Alert

YouTube TV Could Soon Be The Exclusive Home For The NFL’s Week 1 Action But Max & Amazon Are Also in The Mix
April 18, 2025 via Cord Cutters News



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Buckeyes Launch Unified NIL Platform for All Sports, Following NCAA Settlement

Buckeye fans at the national championship celebration on Jan. 26. Ohio State announced the creation of Buckeye Sports Group Monday. Credit: Carly Damon | Lantern Photo Vault Name, image and likeness will have a new look at Ohio State. Just days after the landmark House v. NCAA court settlement was approved, allowing colleges to share […]

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Buckeye fans at the national championship celebration on Jan. 26. Ohio State announced the creation of Buckeye Sports Group Monday. Credit: Carly Damon | Lantern Photo Vault

Buckeye fans at the national championship celebration on Jan. 26. Ohio State announced the creation of Buckeye Sports Group Monday. Credit: Carly Damon | Lantern Photo Vault

Name, image and likeness will have a new look at Ohio State.

Just days after the landmark House v. NCAA court settlement was approved, allowing colleges to share revenue directly with athletes, Ohio State’s department of athletics and its partner, Learfield, unveiled the Buckeye Sports Group, also known as BSG, a sweeping new initiative that redefines the university’s approach to name, image and likeness.

“Ohio State has always been a leader in college athletics, and this initiative is another step forward to build upon our strong NIL foundation,” said Carey Hoyt, Ohio State’s deputy director of athletics. “By combining the power of our athletic brand with Learfield’s expansive network, we are creating an innovative, full-service approach to NIL that directly benefits our student-athletes.”

Under the House settlement agreement, schools may now distribute up to $20.5 million per year directly to athletes. Previously, schools had to rely on third-party resources, such as NIL collectives, to aid and assist athletes to garner NIL opportunities, as universities were not allowed to pay-for-play.

Until now, Ohio State has operated under two primary collectives: The Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2022 by former Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones and Brian Schottenstein to facilitate charitable partnerships; and The 1870 Society, a for-profit collective launched in 2023 to focus on football branding, content and monetization.

BSG represents a formal merger of these efforts. While both collectives will continue to function in advisory roles and maintain their donor bases, according to Ohio State’s official athletics website, BSG will now serve as the university’s NIL command center. 

“We’re incredibly thankful for everything our NIL collectives’ leadership, businesses and donors have done to support our student-athletes,” Ross Bjork, Ohio State’s senior vice president and Wolfe Foundation–Eugene Smith Endowed Athletics Director, said in a statement. “Their commitment has helped shape the landscape in powerful ways. As we move forward with a more unified approach, we’re excited to combine efforts and further strengthen the NIL success of our student-athletes.”

Bjork will hold a press conference today to discuss the settlement and its implications on Ohio State athletics. 

Learfield Impact, the athletics department’s partner, is an industry leader in collegiate sports marketing, according to its website. It will provide a suite of services to Ohio State through BSG, including the Compass platform, which streamlines NIL operations and ensures compliance. Learfield will also embed a full-time NIL team on campus to give athletes hands-on guidance through branding, contracts, and deal navigation, while opening doors to Learfield’s expansive network of brand partners and media studios to grow athlete visibility and value.

“As we enter a new era for college athletics, we’re excited to build on our past successes and create even more meaningful NIL opportunities for Ohio State student-athletes,” Vice President & General Manager of Learfield’s Ohio State Sports Properties Todd Knisley said in a press release. “With the strength of Buckeye Nation behind us, we’re able to unlock incremental opportunities for partnerships on a local, regional, and national scale.

Ohio State has been leading the charge in maximizing opportunities in the NIL space. Since the start of NIL in 2021, athletes from all 36 teams have inked more than 500 brand partnerships, with Buckeyes Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs both currently ranking in the top 15 of football NIL valuation, according to On3 Sports.



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How the Jake Retzlaff lawsuit could impact BYU football and NIL contracts

The civil lawsuit against BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff could take months or even years to resolve and could even raise questions about name, image and likeness rules, lawyers who spoke to The Salt Lake Tribune say. Here’s a look at some of the questions facing the quarterback, the university and the courts in the days […]

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The civil lawsuit against BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff could take months or even years to resolve and could even raise questions about name, image and likeness rules, lawyers who spoke to The Salt Lake Tribune say.

Here’s a look at some of the questions facing the quarterback, the university and the courts in the days ahead.

The basics of the suit

On May 21, a Salt Lake County woman filed a civil lawsuit against Retzlaff, accusing him of sexually assaulting her. The woman, identified in a 3rd District Court filing as Jane Doe A.G., alleges in the lawsuit that Retzlaff assaulted her in November 2023 after they had connected on social media and began messaging a month earlier. She is suing Retzlaff in civil court for alleged battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and is asking for punitive damages from him.

What’s the difference between a civil and criminal case?

Civil cases have a lower standard of proof than criminal cases.

“In a criminal case, you must show beyond a reasonable doubt that somebody has committed the crime. It’s a pretty high bar,” Utah law professor Lincoln Davies said. “In the civil context, it’s a preponderance standard, which is a much lower standard. It’s just more likely than not that something happened — like a 51% chance.”

Retzlaff has not been criminally charged.

Is Jane Doe anonymous?

While the lawsuit publicly names the plaintiff as Jane Doe A.G., the woman’s “full name and identifying information will be filed under seal with the court and provided to [the] defendant,” the lawsuit states.

What’s next in the case?

The lawsuit was filed on May 21.

Typically, the next step in a civil suit would be for a defendant to file a motion to dismiss. According to Utah’s rules of civil procedure, a defendant must typically file that within 21-30 days after the service of the summons and complaint.

If the motion to dismiss is not granted, the case enters the discovery phase.

His attorney, Mark Baute, said in a statement in May that his client is a “nice young man” who is “factually innocent.”

“Jake’s focus this year will be on football,” Baute wrote. “We don’t try cases in the media, we will respect the process and establish Jake’s innocence through the judicial system.”

How long could the case take?

Two legal experts who spoke to The Tribune said the fastest the case could go to trial is several months from now.

“Super fast, nine months. Super long, two and a half years to trial,” said Jonas Anderson, a professor of law who teaches civil procedure at the University of Utah. “That’s the range you’re looking at. But you’re not going to have a [trial] before this football season starts.”

In the meantime, both sides would engage in discovery, the exchange of information and evidence gathering before a trial.

“The more the discovery, the more time you are looking at before a trial,” Davies said.

In civil cases in Utah, discovery is broken down into tiers. Tier 1, is typically for disputes seeking less than $50,000 in damages. Tier 1 discovery sets a 120-day time limit to complete the standard fact finding. The suit against Retzlaff is seeking in excess of $300,000, which would qualify for Tier 3 discovery. That comes with a 210-day deadline for standard fact finding.

Is a settlement possible?

A case doesn’t have to go to trial. Both parties could decide to settle for an undisclosed amount of money. That could provide BYU with a legal resolution before August, but Davies noted that isn’t always a good bet in Utah.

“In general, the Utah rules are set up to try to push cases toward trial compared to many other jurisdictions,” Davies said. “In the sexual assault context, that analysis becomes a little bit more complicated because you also have the public airing of what has happened, and the risk of somebody feeling retraumatized from that re-airing. Some plaintiffs may be more willing to settle in the face of that. Obviously, other plaintiffs may feel like they want their day in court and the chance to do justice.”

NIL implications

BYU needs to prepare for the possibility it will have to make a choice about Retzlaff’s football future before the courts do.

The Cougars could allow Retzlaff to suit up and play and while the legal process plays out. He has not been charged criminally, nor has he been found liable in the pending civil suit.

But if BYU doesn’t want one of its most recognizable athletes playing while facing these allegations, it could decide to bench or even part ways with the quarterback before the lawsuit is resolved.

If he were to be cut, would the school’s NIL collective still have to pay him his seven-figure share?

In a copy of the BYU NIL collective’s standard contract, which The Salt Lake Tribune obtained, there is a termination clause. It says that a player “acknowledges that the value of his likeness is closely tied to the manner in which he publicly conducts himself. … He will also conduct himself in a manner exhibiting the utmost character and integrity.”

The contract goes on to say that that for the “avoidance of any doubt,” the university has the “right to terminate the agreement if the publicized actual, proven conduct is illegal or otherwise causes the [university] to reasonably believe that public association with the [player] would subject the [university] to public ridicule, contempt or embarrassment.”

Anderson said a “morality” clause like this is fairly common in agreements and could give BYU an out.

“Where it says, ‘If there’s anything that the university reasonably thinks is going to reflect badly on them,’ that’s a broad series of categories” to terminate the contract, Anderson said.

But Anderson pointed out the agreement says “actual, proven conduct.”

Retzlaff could potentially sue the university if he were cut before trial and had his contract voided.

“He definitely has grounds to say, ‘I didn’t do anything. I’m innocent, and just having someone accuse me of something shouldn’t eliminate this entire contract,’” Anderson said.

Anderson said that could leave open the possibility to strike a deal if the school wants to part ways with the quarterback.

“There’s some negotiation here,” he said. “It’s not going to be, ‘You’re out, we’re done.’ It’s going to be more, ‘How about we give you some money and then we call it a day?’ So it would be a negotiation in the shadow of potential litigation.”

What has BYU said?

Other schools have recently allowed players to play despite sexual assault allegations. Most recently, Texas Tech allowed basketball star Pop Isaacs to play while he had a civil sexual assault lawsuit actively pending. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed.

But is BYU willing to handle it like Texas Tech?

BYU is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has a strict honor code that prohibits, among other things, premarital sex.

“I think the allegation carries more weight with the BYU administration than it would with most other schools,” Anderson said. “It doesn’t affect the law at all, but it affects how you approach the case.”

BYU said in a statement that it became aware of the civil lawsuit against Retzlaff on May 21. The university said it “takes any allegation very seriously,” but would not provide additional comment due to “federal and university privacy laws and practices for students.”



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John Calipari reveals blunt expectation for college players now with NIL: ‘You need to perform’

John Calipari has long-since gained the reputation as one of the top recruiters in college basketball. That hasn’t changed in the NIL era, as the Arkansas head coach has dealt with some of the most highly-touted recruits each season. These big-time names now come with big-time paychecks. In this regard, Calipari and his staff have […]

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John Calipari has long-since gained the reputation as one of the top recruiters in college basketball. That hasn’t changed in the NIL era, as the Arkansas head coach has dealt with some of the most highly-touted recruits each season.

These big-time names now come with big-time paychecks. In this regard, Calipari and his staff have to tread even more lightly when evaluating talent.

“Did you see the interview with the Kansas State player (Coleman Hawkins) after the season last year, where he cried? Cried. ‘They paid me $2 million and I couldn’t live up to it.’ There’s one thing about being the star on any team,” Calipari said during an appearance on Golic & Golic on FanDuel Sports Network on Wednesday. “You guys did it, that star makes the most and, wow, but the most is expected from them. So, there’s some guys in college basketball this year making between three, four and $5 million dollars. Well, everybody knows now they’re making three, four and five. There’s teams spending 20 million on rosters. You know what? Now there’s an expectation. You better win a national title, or you better be a guy.

“If one of you paid a college player four million, would you expect that $4 million player to drag us to the Final Four? So, what’s happening is I’m dealing with 17- and 18- and 19-year-olds.”

In the instance of Kansas State’s Coleman Hawkins, he signed a highly-publicized $2 million deal to play for the Wildcats. He finished the year averaging 10.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.3 assists — and revealed that he believes he hadn’t lived up to his expectations during his season with the program.

Now that millions of dollars are being thrown at highly-touted prospects and transfer portalers, being able to live up to the expectation becomes that much more necessary. The risk may not be greater than the reward and it may cost some programs, literally. In some cases so far, it already has.

“That’s totally different than a seasoned professional dealing with it. So trying to keep that away from what we do, but social media brings it right back,” Calipari said. “This guy’s making $3 million and this is the best he is. So, you know, it’s — I think we gotta really protect our kids, but some of it, you can’t. You want to be paid a lot. You’re now professional. You need to perform.”



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Clemson baseball lands All

CLEMSON — Clemson baseball landed Ryan Wideman, an All-American outfielder, out of the transfer portal on June 11. Wideman, 6-foot-5, 204 pounds, batted .398 with 20 doubles, 10 home runs, 68 RBIs and 45 stolen bases over 60 games with Western Kentucky. He was named Conference USA player and newcomer of the year and was named […]

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Clemson baseball lands All


CLEMSON — Clemson baseball landed Ryan Wideman, an All-American outfielder, out of the transfer portal on June 11.

Wideman, 6-foot-5, 204 pounds, batted .398 with 20 doubles, 10 home runs, 68 RBIs and 45 stolen bases over 60 games with Western Kentucky. He was named Conference USA player and newcomer of the year and was named All-C-USA First Team. He also earned All-American honors from National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and Perfect Game too. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Wideman played a key role in Western Kentucky‘s first run to the NCAA Tournament since 2009. He will likely slot in to replace star center fielder Cam Cannarella, who is projected to be taken in the first or second round of the 2026 MLB Draft.

Wideman is draft eligible, too, like Cannarella and could opt to go to the Majors depending on where he is selected. He is ranked No. 155 in the MLB.com top 200 draft prospects.

Before Western Kentucky, Wideman spent two seasons at Georgia Highlands College. He hit .423 with 22 home runs to earn JUCO All-American honors in 2023 and 2024.

Wideman joins Ty Dalley, Tyler Lichtenberger and Bryce Clavon as Clemson’s transfer hitting additions. All will be needed to replace key contributors like Cannarella, Dominic Listi, Andrew Ciufo and Josh Paino.

Clemson has hosted an NCAA regional for three straight seasons but suffered an early exit in 2025. It was its sixth time in seven tries being eliminated as NCAA regional hosts since 2011 and the 11th time in its last 12 regional appearances that it has failed to reach the super regional.

Now, the Tigers are landing key hitters and pitchers via the portal because of expiring eligibility, the portal and the MLB Draft. They eye their first College World Series appearance for the first time since 2010 next season.

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

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Idaho Athletics Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the P1FCU Kibbie Dome

Story Links MOSCOW, Idaho – Fifty years ago today, on June 11, 1975, the final arch of the P1FCU Kibbie Dome was placed to complete the full length of the barrel arch roof. The audacious effort took just eight months from the accepted bid to the construction of the roof […]

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MOSCOW, Idaho – Fifty years ago today, on June 11, 1975, the final arch of the P1FCU Kibbie Dome was placed to complete the full length of the barrel arch roof. The audacious effort took just eight months from the accepted bid to the construction of the roof structure. The end caps, lighting, insulation and roof covering would take a few more months, but the final product was ready to go for home games just a few months later.  
 
This year, the University of Idaho and Vandal Athletics are excited to announce a year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the P1FCU Kibbie Dome.
 
After 50 years, the dome remains an enigma, both massive, covering 4.5 acres and standing 150 feet tall, and small, with seating less than 16,000. It is beloved by Vandal faithful and college football fans around the country and decried by its detractors as a quonset hut, airplane hanger or a beer can on its side.
 
Called “College Football’s Weirdest Stadium,” it has become a paragon of the college football world. It is celebrated in social media by college football pundits and influencers nearly every year, but to Idaho alumni, fans and community members it is an important gathering place to celebrate everything that it means to be a Vandal.
 
“We are grateful to have called the P1FCU Kibbie Dome our home for the past 50 years. In the last half century, it has become a cornerstone of Moscow culture,” Director of Athletics Terry Gawlik said. “In the college football world, it has achieved an iconic status, but it is so much more than that to us. It has hosted thousands of athletics, campus and community events. It has kept us out of the weather and provided us with an amazing home field advantage. We are excited to celebrating the dome throughout the year and look forward to securing the future of this amazing building.”
 
The celebration is a wholistic campus celebration, including the Office of the President of the University, Vandal Athletics, the UI Foundation, the University of Idaho Alumni Office, the University of Idaho Library, UI Communications and Marketing, UI Administration Operations and the VandalStore.
 
The celebration will include events, memories, special features, content and commemorative merchandise throughout the year, highlighted by a special celebration on the weekend of the September 13, game against Utah Tech.
 
The William H. Kibbie ASUI Activity Center arose from the ashes of Neale Stadium with ambitions to move to NCAA Division I-A athletics. The initial plans were to build a 23,000-seat stadium, but legislative pressure limited the building to 16,000.
 
It was first constructed as an outdoor stadium in 1971 while construction of the roof foundations and the concrete floor was laid.
 
In 1975, over just 28 days, the “barrel arch” roof was constructed with the help of Trus Joist TRUSDEK microlam system supported by steel frame that was light weight, but strong enough to support the weight of North Idaho snow. Architect Glen Cline of CSHQA, Trus Joist owner Harold El “Red” Thomas and inventor of the Glulam products Art Troutner spearheaded the construction.
 
Funding for the dome was supported by university students and William H. Kibbie, a construction executive, and former UI student donated $300,000 to secure naming rights. Athletic Director Leon “Doc” Green, oversaw the fundraising and construction of the dome roof.
 
“The P1FCU Kibbie Dome has been the setting for many memorable moments for Vandal fans over the past 50 years,” said U of I president Scott Green.  “My grandfather Leon “Doc” Green served as U of I athletic director from 1973-1978, raised money and directed the building of the initial athletic complex. His vision, work and investment by our students enabled the construction of the original ASUI Kibbie Dome.  It remains a first-class venue for Vandal athletics and serves as a hub for Idaho students, alumni and fans. We’re proud of our athletics history and look forward to hanging more championship banners in the revitalized P1FCU Kibbie Dome in the years to come.”
 
Idaho has made additions and improvements over the past 50 years. The Vandal Athletic Complex was built in the 80s, the Iverson Speed and Strength Center was dedicated in 2004. Idaho made significant improvements in 2011 with relocation of the press box to the North side of the field, the addition of the Bud and June Ford Club and replacement of the end walls with translucent panels.
 
In 2024, P1FCU entered a 10-year, $5 million naming rights agreement and a partnership with the University of Idaho, celebrating the two important Palouse-based organizations.
 
In the past 50 years, the dome has hosted championships, intramurals, icons, rodeos, concerts, trade shows, religious events, fairs, the iconic Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival and more.
 
Idaho Vandal Soccer, basketball, tennis and indoor track and field have all called the Kibbie Dome home, but college football and its fans are where the dome earned cult status.
 
The EA Sports College Football games gave people around the world a look inside the dome. The Vandals were struggling on the field at the time of last release in a decade (2014) and fans jumped at the challenge of making the dome the toughest place to play in the game. Years later, fans continue to embrace it for what makes it unique, the field goal posts imbedded in the wall and the one of the best home field advantages in the country. The Vandals are 155-98-1 (.613) all-time in the dome, including a 6-0 record last season.
 
It isn’t just the fans, national sportswriters also celebrate the structure. The dome was named the 26th-best stadium in all of college football in by ESPN in 2024 and has made it to the finals of the College Football Campus Tour Best FCS Stadium Bracket in back-to-back years.
 
After returning to the FCS in 2018, the Vandals are 27-9 (.750) at home and have played home playoff games in each of the last two seasons.
 
The celebration of this year’s event will include alumni, athletics and foundation events. The full schedule will be announced on the celebration website at GoVandals.com/Kibbie50.
 
The website also includes, a Kibbie Dome timeline, links to specialty Kibbie Dome gear and a form for fans to fill out to and record their favorite memories of events, games and moments to be held in a digital collection and used in the celebration.
 
 
 
 
 



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From Dorm Room to Deal Maker

Logan Raven’s dorm room doesn’t look like the headquarters of a sports marketing agency. Textbooks are scattered across his desk, a basketball sits in the corner, and his laptop hums quietly as he juggles homework and endorsements. At 19, most freshmen are figuring out the dining hall schedule. Raven, an experience industry management major, is […]

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From Dorm Room to Deal Maker

Logan Raven’s dorm room doesn’t look like the headquarters of a sports marketing agency. Textbooks are scattered across his desk, a basketball sits in the corner, and his laptop hums quietly as he juggles homework and endorsements.

At 19, most freshmen are figuring out the dining hall schedule. Raven, an experience industry management major, is busy helping college athletes build their brands.

“I haven’t even finished my freshman year,” Raven said. “But I’ve been working more than 40 hours a week on my business while still maintaining above-average grades at Cal Poly.”

That balancing act began long before he arrived in San Luis Obispo. From a young age, Raven loved sports and played basketball and lacrosse. 

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The transition from high school athlete to college entrepreneur wasn’t seamless. Raven had spent years as an athlete, but as graduation approached, reality set in that he wouldn’t have that opportunity in college.

“I wanted to do something where I could still stay around sports in a competitive way and use my knowledge that I had gained over my whole life,” Raven said.

Then an opportunity opened in 2021 when the NCAA lifted its restrictions on student-athletes’ ability to earn money off their name, image and likeness. Raven began to connect with emerging student-athletes in Northern California and build his agency.
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Logan Raven (right) and partner Alexander Schnedecker (left) at the 2025 NBA All-Star Game – Adidas Booth.Logan Raven | Courtesy.

Raven’s core philosophy is authenticity over everything. Unlike traditional sports agencies with suit-wearing executives, Branded NIL’s founders understand their athletes because they have lived similar experiences.

“I think athletes don’t want to work with someone in a suit 24/7,” said Raven’s partner in Branded NIL, Alexander Schnedecker. “They want someone in their support system that they can relate to.”

For Raven, that relatability stems from understanding the player’s mindset from his lived experiences on the court and field.
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“We perfectly align our athletes with brands that can represent them in a positive way,” Raven said. “The clients we bring on are great people on and off the court and field, we want all of them to strive to be role models for their audience.”

Raven currently represents two Cal Poly athletes in men’s basketball player Cayden Ward and women’s tennis player Kennedy Buntrock. He represents other athletes from schools such as Cal, Hawai’i, Arizona State and Illinois.

Ward is a freshman standout on the Mustangs squad. Hailing from Stockton, California, he is hoping to have a long-lasting impact on the San Luis Obispo community through partnering with businesses and brands he loves. 

“Logan and I communicate really well when talking business and life,” Ward said. “He has huge aspirations and goals for himself and Branded NIL, which also aligns with my way of thinking and what motivates me.”

For Raven, helping represent one of his friends on the business side of life is an experience not many can say they have had.

“Cayden was one of the earlier friends that I met at Cal Poly,” Raven said. “Alongside being a friend, we’re in the business world of things. So that can be tricky, but really fun helping him grow his media presence and land his first NIL deal.”

Freshman Cayden Ward is one of Raven’s clients in Branded NIL. Credit: Anthony Molleson / Mustang News

The personal connections matter to Raven in ways that go beyond just business metrics. For Buntrock, who will be a senior next year, Raven is preparing a deal to launch when she returns for the school year.

“All these brand deals, it’s a huge confidence booster, and with confidence, a lot can be accomplished on and off the court,” Raven said.

While his peers stress over midterms, Raven is thinking about industry transformation. He sees Branded NIL leading he social media charge, connecting brand and sport nationwide.

“The new social media age is what we see leading our industries, and that’s what our generation understands the most,” Raven said. “That’s where I see us really taking off and kind of completely revolutionizing the industry with our media techniques while helping our athletes become social influencers.”

The agency’s philosophy centers on quality over quantity. Rather than signing every available college athlete, Branded NIL carefully selects partnerships that align with both the lifestyle of the player and brand values.

“The reason why we keep it niche is so that our agency is able to learn all these things that our athletes have that are specific to themselves and their needs,” Raven said.

The transition from athlete to entrepreneur hasn’t been without its challenges. Startup life means being “attentive pretty much 24/7,” something Raven admits he “wasn’t totally expecting” when he began this journey.

But his athletic background prepared him for the grind in ways business school never could.

“As playing sports, if you put your head down and work hard at something and you work smart at it, good things are coming,” Raven said. “I learned that throughout sports, which really helped me.”

Those lessons extend to handling the inevitable ups and downs of startup life. When deals fall through or emails go unanswered, Raven falls back on a simple philosophy learned from sports: “Never get too high, never get too low.”

Key mentors like entrepreneurship professor Barry Lieberman have provided crucial guidance, while the campus atmosphere allows Raven to maintain his California-loving lifestyle.

“The environment at Cal Poly definitely addresses a good amount of happiness, good weather and good people,” Raven said. “I’m a California lover, so that’s allowing me to thrive and really take everything to the next level.”

Beyond the business metrics and growth targets, Raven is motivated by something more personal: watching his vision come to life.

“Watching something grow that you’ve built from the roots is a really special feeling,” Raven said.

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