Partnership delivers training, education, consulting, and data management to support student-athletes and administrators.
(Oklahoma City, Okla. and Lincoln, Neb. – August 20, 2025) – Bedford Agency announced today that it has entered a partnership agreement with industry leader Opendorse, to enhance its efforts surrounding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), providing Bedford Agency the tools and resources needed to build joint solutions to support the high school NIL market as an official partner. Together the two companies will be working with high schools to offer branded marketplaces, consulting, training and support as a joint offering.
Opendorse is the leading NIL platform and marketplace in college athletics, helping student-athletes connect with brands, fans, and donors to monetize their name, image, and likeness. Through this partnership, The Bedford Agency will gain access to a suite of tools on the Opendorse platform, including education, compliance resources, and marketing opportunities, to support NIL growth in the high school market as a trusted partner serving student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.
“The Bedford Agency has done impactful work with high school athletic departments and the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) on the topic of NIL education at the high school level,” said Jake Daugherty, Opendorse Manager, Collegiate Partnerships. “Through this partnership, we’re showing athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes what’s possible in the world of NIL, while providing valuable resources, through a trusted third-party, to help them build their brand and presence within their local community. This collaboration will equip athletic directors and student-athletes with the tools and education needed to deliver elite-level resources at the high school level.”
Bedford Agency will now include the Opendorse Branded Marketplace solution into its turnkey offerings under its Teams Route Elite brand, which today we are also announcing to the market. Teams Route Elite will feature an in-depth engagement between the Bedford Agency staff and the High School Athletic Department Staff and Coaches providing NIL training, education, rules interpretation plus operating and supporting the Opendorse Marketplace as a trusted third party to the High School.
“Together with Opendorse, we can transform how high school athletics, state associations, athletic directors, and coaches engage with trusted partners to navigate the ever-changing world of NIL,” said Bryan Bedford, CEO of The Bedford Agency & Recruit Route. “This includes providing a platform and marketplace for student-athletes and brands, along with key resources like disclosures, data, education, and consulting. We’re excited to help shape the future of NIL at the high school level by delivering offerings that now include Opendorse’s best-in-class technology.”
About Bedford Agency
Bedford Agency provides actionable insight and expertise for companies, coaches, student-athletes and families navigating the world of Sports Business, College Sports Recruiting and Name, Image and Likeness process! A family-owned Christ-centered business that is uniquely positioned to offer expertise, strategic consulting, educational content and technology to transform the college recruiting process like never before. In 2021 the Bedford Agency launched its first set of brands including Recruit Route, Transfer Route, Teams Route and now Teams Route Elite.
About Opendorse
Opendorse is the technology, data, and service platform powering the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) industry for colleges, collectives, consumers, and commercial partners. More than 150,000 athlete influencers use Opendorse to build, promote, and monetize their personal brands through the largest athlete media network.
For media inquiries, contact Opendorse SVP, Collegiate Services & Marketing Julian Valentin at julian.valentin@opendorse.com.
Media/Industry Analyst Relations:
Ashley Pries, 1-559-908-9559 ashpries4@gmail.com
