CINCINNATI, Ohio (September 21, 2023)
Cincy Reigns is now the “Official Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Partner of the Cincinnati Bearcats.”
University of Cincinnati Athletics announced on Thursday that its exclusive athletics media rights holder Bearcats Sports Properties, the locally based team of LEARFIELD – the media and technology company powering college athletics – has partnered with Cincy Reigns.
The partnership gives the fundraising collective the ability to use official UC Athletics’ logos and marks.
“We’re excited to announce this partnership between two of our strongest support organizations,” Cincinnati Director of Athletics John Cunningham said. “This is a game-changer for us in the NIL space and will enable Cincy Reigns to take its fundraising and collaboration with student-athletes to the next level as our official partner. As I have said, we need to radically accept and embrace NIL. Partnerships like this one will empower student-athletes and incentivize businesses to work with our Bearcats. We’re grateful to LEARFIELD and Bearcats Sports Properties for their collaboration and looking forward to Cincy Reigns continuing to grow to help us compete for championships in the Big 12.”
Cincy Reigns will now be able to advertise and promote the organization’s efforts at Cincinnati football and basketball games, among other UC events, as well as on social and digital platforms and through advertisements.
“We are proud to bring together Cincinnati Athletics and Cincy Reigns in a partnership that allows for maximized value and increased opportunities for Bearcat student-athletes,” said John Mason, general manager of LEARFIELD’s Bearcats Sports Properties. “This alignment is the next step in further strengthening the NIL program at Cincinnati and we are thrilled to be a part of that step alongside Athletics and the Collective.”
Cincy Reigns launched in 2022, and has helped the UC fan base, alumni network, businesses, and donors offer direct financial support to UC’s student athletes. In March, Cincy Reigns announced its “First Class,” signing 14 UC student-athletes – one from each sponsored sports program – to NIL deals. The initiative included women’s soccer star Ashley Barron and football All-American Dontay Corleone.
“We are excited to partner with LEARFIELD to provide UC student-athletes NIL opportunities,” said Brian Fox, Chair of the Cincy Reigns Board of Directors. “This commitment represents another critical step by Cincy Reigns to collaborate with LEARFIELD, and the University of Cincinnati’s other corporate partners, to build a robust NIL ecosystem for all Bearcat student-athletes.”
Cincy Reigns aims to have UC’s student athletes thrive on and off the field, during their time as students, and well after graduation.
The organization strives to create NIL opportunities for over 500 student-athletes across 18 varsity teams and collaborate with organizations like Rhinegeist to advance its mission.
All Cincinnati Athletics sponsorships are managed by LEARFIELD’s Bearcats Sports Properties, which does not represent student-athletes, but on behalf of the university, is actively engaged with brands to maximize their sponsorships when paired with student-athlete NIL. LEARFIELD separately represents Cincinnati Athletics and its intellectual property (IP) as part of the company’s exclusive multimedia rights agreement.
Quote from Coach Scott Satterfield
“This is a valuable next step that will enable our student-athletes to better build their brands through Cincy Reigns,” Cincinnati football head coach Scott Satterfield said. “Providing the best resources for our student-athletes to fully harness Name, Image and Likeness opportunities is essential to building a successful program. We are excited and grateful for this partnership.”
Quote from Coach Katrina Merriweather
“I am proud to be a part of an athletic department that has embraced and invested in the Name, Image and Likeness space for all student-athletes,” Cincinnati women’s basketball coach Katrina Merriweather said. “This partnership with Cincy Reigns allows our program to continue to maximize this space, enhance the student-athlete experience and provide the educational resources that will position them for success.”
Quote from Coach Wes Miller
“We are happy to have Cincy Reigns as Cincinnati Athletics’ official NIL partner,” Cincinnati men’s basketball coach Wes Miller said. “I have enjoyed seeing the momentum it has built in the city through its many efforts. This is an exciting era in Cincinnati and around the country. I am thrilled and grateful for what Cincy Reigns is doing for our hard-working student-athletes by providing opportunities to them to build their brands and set them up for future success.”
About CINcinnati athletics
The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics competes at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics with the vision to reach Next Level Success for all 18 varsity teams and more than 450 student-athletes. The Bearcats have a proud athletics history, winning eight national championships and 118 conference titles, and entered a new era as a member of the Big 12 in July 2023.
UC Athletics’ mission is to connect our community, enhance our university and impact the lives of student-athletes as they prepare to change the world on and off the field.
For more information visit gobearcats.com.
About CINCY REIGNS
Cincy Reigns is a fundraising apparatus which helps the UC fan base, alumni network, businesses and donors offer direct financial support to UC’s student athletes. It works closely with UC’s compliance, licensing, legal and sports marketing professionals to protect UC student-athletes and ensure compliance with all NCAA and UC name, image and likeness (“NIL”) policies and guidelines.
Cincy Reigns wants UC’s student athletes to thrive on and off the field, during their time as students, and well after graduation. Accordingly, Cincy Reigns will offer character and life education opportunities for student-athletes, so they learn how to successfully compete at more than just the sport they love.
The agency strives to create NIL opportunities for over 500 student-athletes across 18 varsity teams and collaborate with organizations like Rhinegeist to advance its mission.
For more information on Cincy Reigns, visit CincyReigns.org.
Fans interested in contributing to Cincy Reigns can do so at this link: www.CincyReigns.org/donate
About LEARField
LEARFIELD is a media, data, and technology services leader in intercollegiate athletics. The company unlocks the value of college sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform with innovative content and commerce solutions. LEARFIELD services include trademark licensing and branding; collegiate sports properties’ multimedia sponsorship management; NIL solutions; publishing, audio, digital and social media; data analytics and insights; ticketing software; and ticket sales, premium seating, and fundraising services; campus-wide business and sponsorship development. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for NACDA’s acclaimed LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, recognizing athletic departments across all divisions.