TALLAHASSEE, Florida (February 7, 2023) – Blueprint Sports, the industry leader in full-service Name, Image, and, Likeness (NIL) collectives, announced today a new partnership with Micconope [mik-uh-no-pee] 1851 – an NIL Collective supporting football, men’s and women’s basketball, and women’s soccer student-athletes at Florida State University (FSU).
Supported by former players, alumni, fans and business owners, Micconope 1851 will help maximize opportunities for Seminole student-athletes to succeed, grow their brand, and engage with local community partners for years to come. The foundation of Micconope 1851 is steeped in reverence for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The word Micconope means young chief or leader in native dialect.
“Our love and passion for Florida State University is unparalleled and this passion leads us to seek ways to enhance the lives of FSU student-athletes far beyond the playing field,” said Florida State alum and Micconope 1851 Board President Mike Underwood. “Additionally, the respect and honor we have for the Seminole Tribe of Florida sets us apart from our peers. We will always remain focused on the Tribe’s dedication to the unconquered spirit.”
Through Micconope 1851 individuals can make tax-deductible contributions through the BPS Foundation – a 501I(3) partner organization formed to educate, encourage, and assist Seminole student-athletes in their efforts to engage with the local community through charitable causes.
“I look forward to working with the team at Florida State once again,” said Chris Asa, Blueprint Sports Vice President of Donor Relations. “There is a great deal of passion and potential for the Seminoles and Micconope 1851 will set the bar high for student-athlete engagements, education and development opportunities.”
As a former development and revenue growth professional at Florida State, Asa’s expertise and experience with Seminole Athletics will be a key asset to the success of the collective.
Additionally, Micconope 1851 was founded to enhance the lives of its student-athletes not only through NIL opportunities, but also with real life skill education and resources beyond their collegiate years. Through its Mentor Series, the collective presents educational workshops, internship, and networking opportunities and potential job prospects for post-graduation. The Micconope 1851 Seminole Scholarship Fund, also a 501 (c)(3) organization, is dedicated to assist a Seminole Native American student attend Florida State University. Micconope 1851 also facilitates the LASER (Life After Sports Employment Resource) Center – a career resource initiative focused on the long-term professional and life skill development of FSU student-athletes. All of these programs set the stage for Micconope 1851 to create a unique and well-rounded experience, unlike any other NIL collective that exists in the Florida State collegiate space thus far.
“Our new Blueprint Sports partnership will fuel our already strong collective to better deliver on community engagements and student-athlete support,” said Allen Beyer, Florida State alum and Micconope 1851 board member. “Taking action now is critical to ensure our FSU student-athletes have the resources and leadership opportunities to remain competitive nationally and positioned for success beyond graduation.”
Local and national businesses, can align their brands with Florida State student-athletes by creating custom marketing campaigns, planning speaking engagements, autograph sessions, participating in charity events, and more. For more information visit Micconope1851.com Follow @Micconope_1851 on Instagram and @Micconope1851 on Twitter.
About Blueprint Sports
Founded in Las Vegas in 2020 and backed by Andre Agassi, eight-time Grand Slam tennis champion, Blueprint Sports (BPS) powers the industry's leading name, image, and likeness (NIL) collectives for alumni, supporters, and businesses, connecting them with student-athletes at their favorite university. BPS' national portfolio of collectives supports student-athletes across the country, including around Penn State, Boston College, N.C. State University, Villanova University, Gonzaga University, University of Arizona, University of Tennessee, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of Nevada, Ohio University, University of Toledo, Montana State University and more. The Blueprint Sports management team possesses over 50 years of college and professional sports experience, spanning the Pac-12 Conference, IMG, Learfield, and Nevada Athletics Commission, among others. For more information, visit www.blueprintsports.com or its pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Name, Image, Likeness (NIL)
On June 30, 2021, the Division I Board of Directors approved an interim name, image, and likeness policy. This new policy allows all NCAA DI, DII, and DIII student-athletes to be compensated for their NIL as of July 1, 2021. Student-athletes can now engage in paid community appearances, autograph sessions, youth coaching engagements, and sports marketing campaigns.
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Media Contacts:
Heather Austin (602) 738-9252 | heather@theferrarogroup.com
