NIL Club

For many years, college athletes were prohibited from profiting from their brands, as they were unable to earn income from their name, image, or likeness (NIL). This restriction came under increasing scrutiny due to ongoing concerns about fairness, competitive balance, and limitations on free market practices. In response to mounting legal and public pressure, the NCAA changed course in 2021, allowing student-athletes to benefit financially from their NIL. The organization went further in 2025, lifting the restriction on negotiating NIL deals before athletes enrolled in college. Before these landmark changes, two college athletes and an avid sports fan recognized the potential for student-athletes to harness the power of NIL from the grassroots level, with the support of their biggest advocates: their fans. In 2020, they launched YOKE, the technology that now powers the NIL Club ecosystem. Their vision was to ensure every student could benefit from NIL, connecting athletes and fans on a personal level and creating opportunities for athletes to optimize their brands. The NIL Club app is the product of working directly with hundreds of thousands of student-athletes. NIL Club has grown into a trusted platform that empowers college and high school athletes to earn money from their NIL. It offers a structured and transparent environment where athletes connect with fans, build their brands, and generate recurring income. With a focus on compliance and student well-being, NIL Club has earned respect across the collegiate and high school sports landscape. To date, more than 20,000 teams and groups are active on the platform, with over 250,000 student participants and earnings exceeding $16 million. The NIL Club model is simple yet effective. Fans subscribe to their favorite team’s club—like Alabama Football or USC Women’s Basketball—and pay a monthly membership fee. In return, they gain exclusive, year-round access to content and the opportunity to provide financial support to the athletes. YOKE’s software ensures that these subscriptions never interfere with athletes’ academic or athletic responsibilities, prioritizing team success beyond the playing field. Student-athletes are compensated directly by the club for their participation, content creation, and promotion of the club. Membership proceeds are pooled and distributed equally among all active members of each NIL Club, creating a fair and inclusive environment. The clubs are self-governed, and athletes can manage memberships and participation through the NIL Club App. Fans receive behind-the-scenes content and personalized messages, deepening their connection to the athletes. NIL Clubs have expanded to include high school students, offering financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills, while also providing opportunities for students involved in other extracurricular activities. The platform has also seen growing brand partnerships, with companies like LoveShackFancy and SoFi collaborating with athletes for marketing campaigns.