Charlotte is a proud competitor in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), known as one of the most competitive basketball conferences in the country. The dedication of our student-athletes who stand for Charlotte basketball in this arena is highly valued. To ensure Charlotte remains competitive in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities and to justly reward our athletes for their image rights, it's essential to unify and leverage the collective strength of Charlotte alumni, fans, and affiliated businesses. The Niners Basketball Collective serves as a unifying force, offering a streamlined way for every 49er Basketball supporter to contribute effectively to this initiative.
Our mission is simple – enhance the lives of the Charlotte 49er student-athletes and empower them to create successful futures through personal and professional development while earning their degrees and competing on the field as proud members of the Forty Niner family.
The Niners Basketball Collective forms partnerships with Charlotte basketball student-athletes through Name-Image-Likeness Agreements ("NIL Agreements"). These athletes are chosen by the Leadership Committee of the Niners Basketball Collective. As part of the NIL Agreement, in exchange for financial compensation, an athlete grants the Niners Basketball Collective the rights to use their image and likeness. This includes promoting the athletes on this website, at various events, and through other promotional activities. The athletes receive their compensation in payments through Niner Exchange powered by INFLCR, the approved athlete student exchange.
More About NIL
This is a whole new game for everyone. Please explore more to learn about the recent happenings in regards to NIL (Name, Image, Likeness), and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us directly.
Name, Image, Likeness or NIL are the three components of an individual’s “right to publicity.” These are independent or collectively identifiable aspects of a person that makes them unique, including but not limited to their name, image, likeness, nickname, signature, social media outreach, any symbol, or design that clearly and prominently identifies Charlotte 49er student-athletes.
NCAA rules mandate that NIL compensation may not include ‘pay-to-play’, recruiting inducements/guarantees, or sham agreements in which a student-athlete does not provide a legitimate NIL-related service.
Nationwide, supporters have established groups called 'collectives' to gather funds for compensating student-athletes, thereby participating in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) arena. These collectives engage current student-athletes in partnerships, offering them specific contracted services. This collective approach has become the modern benchmark for providing NIL opportunities to current student-athletes.
What are the benefits of participating in the collective, and how does it impact the future of college athletics?" In the current environment of college sports, having a robust Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) initiative is crucial for sustained achievement. The lack of solid backing from devoted supporters could hinder Charlotte's ability to draw in and keep top-tier student-athletes and coaching staff. The Niners Basketball Collective was established with the foresight to secure and enhance UNC Charlotte's competitive prowess for the future, ensuring the institution remains at the forefront of athletic excellence.