The deal will streamline Collective operations, support brand deals for Tennessee athletes
The Volunteer Club and Opendorse are expanding their agreement and launching first-ever solutions in the NIL Collective market. In addition to streamlining NIL compensation and compliance between the athletes and collective, The Volunteer Club will receive access to the Opendorse brand network, encouraging high quality deals and dedicated support for Tennessee athletes and engaged companies.
The innovative partnership cements The Volunteer Club’s nation-leading commitment to supporting Tennessee athletes. As the only NIL organization with a dedicated brand network, Opendorse will empower the Volunteer Club and its athletes to compliantly connect with top national, regional, and local companies for NIL opportunities.
“This partnership sets the Volunteer Club, and our commitment to Tennessee athletes, apart from every collective in the country,” said Volunteer Club President Hunter Baddour. “Expanding our work with Opendorse by adding access to its brand network will take our athlete support to the next level.”
“This partnership sets the Volunteer Club, and our commitment to Tennessee athletes, apart from every collective in the country,” said Volunteer Club President Hunter Baddour. “Expanding our work with Opendorse by adding access to its brand network will take our athlete support to the next level.”
“We’re now able to connect athletes for high-value brand deals through Opendorse, in addition to delivering on the unmatched support from the Tennessee fanbase,” said Volunteer Club CEO James Clawson. “This is another step forward in keeping Tennessee on the leading edge of NIL.”
The collective first launched its partnership with Opendorse in December 2021. Since NIL’s inception in July 2021, The Volunteer Club has worked with more than 200 athletes across 11 sports, procuring over $13.5 million in NIL deals.
“The Volunteer Club is the model for how to operate in today’s NIL landscape,” said Opendorse CEO Blake Lawrence. “From fundraising to fan clubs, they’re the standard in 2023. I’m excited to expand our partnership and bring a new kind of opportunity to Tennessee athletes.”
Over 30 top NIL collectives use Opendorse to streamline compensation, compliance, and communication with student-athletes. The collective partners represent 10 conferences including each Power 5 conference. Thousands of brands, headlined by 29 of the top 50 Fortune 500 companies, use Opendorse to facilitate NIL deals with athletes.
About The Volunteer Club
The Volunteer Club harnesses the spirit of current fans and honors the tradition of Tennessee excellence by creating an enhanced experience for Tennessee athletes. Memberships to the Volunteer Club support NIL opportunities for athletes and provide exclusive access to club members through newsletters, events, and specialty gear. The Volunteer Club is facilitated by Spyre Sports, a sports & media agency based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Founded by University of Tennessee, Knoxville alumni, Spyre Sports champions Tennessee athletes and connects them with local and national businesses.
