For college athletes, NIL presents more than just extra income—it’s an opportunity to build your brand and shape your financial future. But turning that opportunity into real deals takes the right approach. For many athletes, landing sponsorships can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you make sure brands see your value? Here’s a quick guide to getting started on Opendorse and maximizing your opportunities.
Getting Started on Opendorse
The first step to connect with brands is setting up your Opendorse profile. Think of it as your personal brand’s resume—where your achievements, stats, and personality help brands see your value.
Setting up an Opendorse account is simple, and the platform walks you through everything you need. A strong profile makes you more visible to brands and fans, giving them a snapshot of who you are and what you offer.
Make your profile stand out by including:
✅ A high-quality profile picture
✅ A bio that tells your story
✅ Social media links & key stats
Think of your Opendorse profile like your social media pages—it’s your gateway to NIL success. A complete, professional profile sets you apart when brands are choosing athletes to work with.
PRO TIP: Be proactive. Maximize your chance to earn deals by reaching out to advertisers and local businesses. Network. Make connections online and in person. Shoot your shot.
How Do Opportunities Work?
Once your profile is ready, Opendorse makes it easy to browse and apply for NIL opportunities. The platform connects athletes with brands and fans who are seeking influencer collaborations, endorsements, and other sponsorship deals.
- Brands list available opportunities
- Athletes apply to open offers
- Brands review applicants and extend offers
- After negotiation, athletes and brands finalize the partnership through Opendorse
Opendorse Opportunities offer a wide variety of options, from product promotions to cause-driven campaigns, giving athletes the chance to engage with diverse brands.
PRO TIP: Don’t just tap “Apply” on every Opportunity. Be thoughtful in what you sign up for to maximize your chance to be selected. Advertisers look carefully at the application list and want to work with athletes that fit with their product. Following up your application with a personal reach-out via LinkedIn or Instagram can improve your chances.
Sealing the Deal
Once you accept an offer, the real work begins. The execution phase is where athletes deliver the contracted work—whether it’s creating content, showcasing a product, or engaging with fans. Opendorse keeps everything organized, from deliverables to payment schedules, ensuring a seamless experience for both athletes and brands.
PRO TIP: Overdeliver. Create A+ content. Be responsive. Show appreciation. “Wow” your brand partners so they keep coming back.
Why Opendorse Works for Athletes
Opendorse takes the headache out of NIL deals by serving as a trusted middleman between brands and athletes. Instead of cold emailing or negotiating on your own, Opendorse simplifies the entire process, from finding opportunities to ensuring timely payments.
The platform also provides valuable reporting tools to help athletes track their campaigns and measure success, which is crucial for building long-term relationships with brands. Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced athlete looking to expand your partnerships, Opendorse gives you the tools you need to control your brand and financial future.
PRO TIP: Disclose your off platform deals into the app. Manual disclosures only take two minutes, but it’s important to organize all your NIL activities. Opendorse is your NIL business management tool. Download your Disclosure Summary to streamline the tax prep process and year’s end.
Examples of Successful NIL Partnerships
For years, athletes have turned to Opendorse for brand deals that range from fitness campaigns to cause-based partnerships. Here are a just a few examples:
JLab: College athletes made JLab part of their everyday routine—whether they were getting hyped before a game, locking in at the gym, or unwinding after practice. Their content showed that JLab’s headphones and earbuds aren’t just for athletes—they’re for anyone who wants great sound on the go.
Planet Fitness: A small NIL activation turned into a nationwide movement as athletes shared why they love Planet Fitness. Their message was simple: fitness should be affordable and welcoming for everyone. Whether training for their sport or just staying active, they showed how Planet Fitness makes it easy to get moving in a Judgement Free Zone.
Spanx: More than 40 female athletes teamed up with Spanx to show how its activewear fits into their busy lives. From workouts to walking around campus, they proved that performance and comfort don’t have to be separate—and that looking good and feeling good go hand in hand.
These partnerships demonstrate how NIL opportunities are expanding beyond the traditional sports space, allowing athletes to work with all kinds of brands.
Ready to Seize Your Moment?
Prepare to activate before the time comes. Setting up your profile on Opendorse is just the beginning. When you have your big moment on the field or the court, make sure you’re organized for success by following these best practices. Athletes missed out on thousands of dollars in last year’s NCAA Basketball Tournaments because they were not ready. Make sure you are.
Start your journey today by creating an Opendorse profile, exploring the opportunities available, and begin collaborating with brands that align with your goals.
