Brag House Explores NIL Initiative to Expand Revenue Opportunities for Student-Athletes
- Strategic partnership with Learfield provides access to over 200 NCAA Division 1 college campuses
- Large market opportunity with NIL market projected to reach $1.5B by 2027
- Student-athletes will retain majority of earnings from initial sales and receive ongoing resale revenue
- Platform addresses underserved market as majority of NCAA athletes currently don't receive meaningful NIL compensation
- Initiative is still in exploratory phase with no concrete implementation timeline
- Blockchain technology choice remains undecided between Ethereum and alternatives
- Pilot program not starting until late 2025, potentially missing current market opportunities
Insights
Brag House's NIL initiative leverages blockchain to tap into the growing $1.5B market, but faces execution challenges and delayed 2025 implementation.
Brag House's announcement outlines a strategic push into the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) space through blockchain-backed digital collectibles, targeting an underserved market of NCAA athletes. This initiative builds on their existing Learfield partnership that already provides access to over 200 NCAA campuses, creating a natural distribution channel.
The NIL market offers substantial growth potential, reaching
What stands out is their focus on providing NIL opportunities to the majority of student-athletes who currently receive minimal compensation. This inclusivity-focused approach differentiates them from competitors who typically target only high-profile athletes. Their proposed revenue model, where athletes retain the majority of initial sales plus ongoing resale royalties, is athlete-friendly and could drive adoption.
However, several execution challenges remain unaddressed. The planned late 2025 pilot launch represents a significant delay before potential revenue generation. The press release mentions both Ethereum and alternative blockchains without committing to a technology stack, indicating the technical infrastructure remains undeveloped. Regulatory compliance across varying state NIL laws will also present complexity.
For investors, this represents a forward-looking strategic initiative rather than an immediate revenue driver. The emphasis on blockchain technology adds both opportunity and execution risk, while the connection to their existing campus presence creates a logical pathway to market.
NEW YORK, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brag House Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBH) (“Brag House” or the “Company”), the media-tech platform at the intersection of gaming, college sports, and Gen Z engagement, today announced that it plans to develop a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) initiative that is designed to help student-athletes of all backgrounds monetize their personal brand. The Company is exploring developing such initiatives through digital collectibles and blockchain-backed experiences.
This initiative builds on Brag House’s creation of a new digital sports medium through its strategic partnership with Learfield, which partnership provides the Company with the opportunity to deliver interactive events and branded campus experiences across more than 200 NCAA college campuses, most of which are Division 1. While the NCAA’s 2021 ruling enabled student-athletes to profit from their NIL rights, the Company believes that the vast majority of the active NCAA athletes do not receive meaningful NIL compensation.
“We’ve created a new lane where college gaming and school spirit intersect,” said Lavell Juan Malloy II, CEO and Co-Founder of Brag House. “As a former student-athlete, I deeply understand the value of building a personal brand, but also how few athletes truly get to benefit. Brag House was built on the idea of inclusivity, and we believe it’s time to level the playing field.”
A New Kind of NIL Model
The Company’s NIL initiative would aim to empower student-athletes to connect directly with fans and generate new revenue. One route the Company is considering is to offer authenticated digital collectibles and unique fan experiences. Through this, student-athletes could create and share digital assets like signature highlight reels, exclusive game-day access passes, and personalized memorabilia. They will benefit by retaining a majority of the earnings from initial sales and receiving a share of revenue from any future fan-to-fan resales.
Brag House’s aim would be to simplify the creation process of digital collectibles and blockchain-backed experiences through a no-code interface, while incorporating compliance tools tailored to NCAA, state, and school guidelines to ensure ease of adoption.
Considerations for implementation include utilizing a smart contract infrastructure and blockchain technology to deliver transparency, efficiency, and secure payments directly to student e-wallets.
Brag House may further consider implementing its NIL platform using a treasury strategy such as one built on Ethereum. This approach could support athlete education, loyalty rewards, and long-term platform sustainability through yield-generating digital assets. It should be noted, that Brag House recognizes that there are alternative blockchains that may offer lower fees and faster transactions. Ultimately, Brag House will focus on maturity, security, and post–Proof-of-Stake sustainability given the need for trust and transparency in student-athlete programs.
Regardless, this initiative would ultimately use secure digital ledger technology to ensure transparency, efficiency, and direct payments straight to student wallets, which means a clear, streamlined process for athletes to share their unique moments and experiences with fans.
Potential Significant Market Tailwinds
Brag House’s expansion comes at a time of rapid growth in both the NIL and digital ownership markets. According to Opendorse, the NIL market reached approximately
With over 20 million college students and half a million NCAA athletes in the U.S., the opportunity to connect student-athletes directly with fans through verified, blockchain-backed assets could be significant. By enabling personalized fan experiences and recurring royalty income, Brag House’s platform aligns with Gen Z’s appetite for authenticity, access, and digital innovation.
“This isn’t about chasing trends,” said Malloy. “It’s about responding to real demand and undeniable data. Our platform already fuels and encourages engagement across Gen Z campuses, and this initiative ensures student-athletes are empowered to share in the value they help create.”
Next Steps: Empowering the Future of NIL
The NIL initiative is currently aimed to pilot with several activations for select campuses in late 2025. The Company expects to release additional updates and invite student-athlete collaborators as it advances its infrastructure and smart contract capabilities.
Brag House plans to continue delivering innovative NIL opportunities through its expanding slate of campus activations, including the Brag Gators Gauntlet Series and branded loyalty token integrations, all designed to empower Gen Z through authentic digital sports experiences.
About Brag House
Brag House is a leading media technology gaming platform dedicated to transforming casual college gaming into a vibrant, community-driven experience. By seamlessly merging gaming, social interaction, and cutting-edge technology, the Company provides an inclusive and engaging environment for casual gamers while enabling brands to authentically connect with the influential Gen Z demographic. For more information, visit www.braghouse.com.
Media Contact:
Fatema Bhabrawala
Director of Media Relations
fbhabrawala@allianceadvisors.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Adele Carey
VP, Investor Relations
ir@thebraghouse.com
FAQ
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