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Pack of Wolves Announces Earp’s Seafood Market as Official Tailgate Partner

Partnership Marks Pack of Wolves First Tailgate Sponsor and Earp’s First NIL Deal

RALEIGH, North Carolina (April 4, 2023) – Pack of Wolves is thrilled to announce a new sponsorship deal with Earp’s Seafood Market, which will make it the first Official Tailgate Sponsor of the collective. The partnership will kick off on Saturday, April 8, when Pack of Wolves hosts a tailgate for the Spring Football Game, including steamer pots and other tailgate food from Earp’s.

As part of the deal, the local seafood institution will have activations and provide food at Pack of Wolves tailgates throughout the football season.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Earp’s and to be further connecting the Pack of Wolves community with businesses in Raleigh,” Pack of Wolves General Manager, Chris Vurnakes, said. “There haven’t been a lot of seafood markets that have gotten involved with NIL, so we’re proud that Pack of Wolves can be on the forefront of unique NIL partnerships for our student-athletes and our community.”

As part of the partnership, many NC State student-athletes will serve as brand ambassadors for Earp’s Seafood Market. The campaign will begin with several football players, who will be participating in a video series, as well as future social media campaigns and promotions.

“Earp’s Seafood is proud to support Pack of Wolves and the student-athletes of NC State,” Earp’s Seafood General Manager, Nikki Bloch, said. “Our seafood market has served the Raleigh community for more than 50 years, and we look forward to providing the freshest seafood for Wolfpack fans at tailgates this fall.”

Earp’s Seafood Market is located just a mile from NC State’s Raleigh campus at 1414 South Saunders Street. Learn more about Earp’s Seafood Market at earpsseafoodmarket.com.

About Pack of Wolves

Pack of Wolves is a fan-driven and alumni-led Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) program for NC State University student-athletes, alumni, and fans. Community members who commit their support to Pack of Wolves, are pledging to maximize opportunities for student-athletes to build their brand and earn compensation. In addition, community supporters gain access to exclusive events, autograph sessions, and more. Pack of Wolves is powered by parent company Blueprint Sports. For more information visit packofwolvesnil.com and follow @PackofWolvesNIL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About Name, Image, Likeness (NIL)

On June 30, 2021, the Division 1 Board of Directors approved an interim name, image, and likeness policy. This new policy allows all NCAA D1, D2, and D3 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 CONTACT:

Chris Vurnakes, Pack of Wolves General Manager,

chris@packofwolvesnil.com, 919-451-4602

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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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