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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gonzaga Nation and Zags Collective Form Partnership To Support Gonzaga Student-Athletes

SPOKANE (July 24, 2023) – Gonzaga Nation, the first destination for Bulldogs fans, has entered into a partnership with Zags Collective, the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collective that creates new opportunities for Gonzaga student-athletes to grow their personal brand and engage with the community.

From insider news to exclusive shows to behind-the-scenes access, Gonzaga Nation and Zags Collective will work together to create exclusive content available to members of Zags Collective. "I'm excited about our partnership with Gonzaga Nation," said Nate Brown, Zags Collective General Manager. "They have a fantastic local and national presence that will raise awareness for Zags Collective, and with Zags legends like Dan Dickau, Adam Morrison and Rob Sacre at the helm, our members are going to love all the original content and exclusive shows! Additionally, by aligning with Gonzaga Nation, sponsors can maximize brand visibility, engagement and establish meaningful connections within this loyal and influential fan base!"

Monthly membership starts at $25/month. In addition to receiving exclusive content, Zags Collective members receive access to meet and greet events with Gonzaga student-athletes, exclusive merch, and more.

"Our mission at Zags Collective is to inspire and grow our student-athletes as well-rounded people, to support the charities and nonprofits we partner with and to improve the community," said Matt Santangelo, Zags Collective Director of Athlete Engagements. "And we're fortunate to have a group of student-athletes who want to be involved in this amazing community."

This partnership is a winning opportunity for Gonzaga student-athletes, as well as the Spokane community at large.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Zags Collective,” said Dan Beach, CEO of Gonzaga Nation and SBLive Sports. “This partnership allows us to shine a spotlight on Gonzaga’s outstanding student-athletes, coaches and university staff throughout the season.” For the latest news and information about Gonzaga student-athletes visit Gonzaga Nation at si.com/college/gonzaga

About Zags Collective

Zags Collective is a fan-driven and alumni-led Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) collective for Gonzaga University student-athletes, alumni and fans. Community members who commit their support to Zags Collective, are pledging to maximize opportunities for student-athletes to build their brand and engage with the community. In addition, community supporters gain access to exclusive events, autograph sessions and more. Zags Collective is powered by parent company Blueprint Sports. For more information, visit zagscollective.com and follow @ZagsCollective on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Gonzaga Nation

Gonzaga Nation is an official member of Sports Illustrated's FanNation network of college team sites. Founded by Zag alumni in 2022, GN highlights the student-athletes and community that make Gonzaga unique. With prominent alumni at the helm, Gonzaga Nation has a level of access and insight that is unmatched among local and national media competitors.

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Nate Brown

General Manager

Nate Brown is the General Manager of Zags Collective, leading the charge to help amplify the opportunities for the Gonzaga student-athletes through NIL partnerships with local charities, fans and businesses. With over a decade of experience in the professional sports industry and as a former business owner in Spokane, Nate is a seasoned professional who knows what it takes to succeed. Most recently, he served as the National Sales Director for a prominent west-coast real estate company, where he was responsible for driving growth and retention. With a deep understanding of sales and marketing, Nate brings a wealth of knowledge to the table and is always seeking innovative ways to drive revenue and create partnerships.With a passion for ensuring the success of student-athletes both on and off the field, Nate is dedicated to providing the necessary resources to keep Gonzaga competitive on the national stage. He understands the importance of building and maintaining strong relationships with the community and local businesses, and works to maximize opportunities for Gonzaga’s student-athletes. As the son of two Gonzaga alumni, including a father who was a baseball pitcher and also a coach for the school, Nate has a great connection to the university and a passion for ensuring its continued success. Outside of work, Nate enjoys spending time with family, including his wife Jessica and their 16-year-old daughter Brooklynn and 12-year-old son Marcus. When not working or spending time with family, you can find Nate at any one of the amazing golf courses in Spokane, honing his swing!

Mike Smith

General Manager

Mike Smith joined Micconope 1851 in March 2023 and is excited to be the General Manager and looks forward to working with Blueprint Sports increase NIL revenue generation for Florida State University student-athletes. Smith comes to Micconope 1851 from Catawba College where he held the title as the Senior Director of Athletics, Development. Prior to working in Athletics at Catawba College, Mike served as the Associate Athletics Director for External Relations at Charleston Southern University. Smith has an impressive background in the collegiate athletics industry, having held senior level development and corporate sponsorship sales roles at The University of Southern Mississippi, Limestone University, the Sun Belt Conference, Florida Atlantic University, and with multimedia rights-holders Tele South Communications at the University of Mississippi, Learfield Sports at UNC Chapel Hill, and with International Sports Properties at Georgia Tech. Smith is a graduate of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and holds a master’s degree in Business Management from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In his new role here at Micconppe 1851, Smith will be responsible for raising major gifts for NIL deals as well as securing NIL corporate sponsorships for Florida State University student-athletes. Mike looks forward to helping ensure the FSU student-athletes have the resources and leadership opportunities to remain competitive nationally and positioned for success well beyond graduation. Mike is married to Katy Smith; the couple looks forward to relocating to Tallahassee, Florida, and becoming a part of the Micconope 1851 and Seminole family!

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