Wildcat NIL is empowering Kansas State student-athletes with a unique opportunity to build a legacy.
Through deliberate partnerships and first-hand experience, Wildcat NIL delivers effective tactics to athletes with the goal of leveraging NIL policies to promote growth, financial security, and enhanced opportunities.
We assist with bridging these opportunities and allowing the student-athletes to remain focused on their academic and athletic performance.
Name, image, and likeness is the new ruling by the NCAA for student-athletes to leverage and profit from their NIL. Athletes can now partner with organizations and businesses to build their respective brands.
Wildcat NIL is a platform designed for K-State student-athletes. Our organization was formed by former Kansas State athletes with deep roots in the K-State Family. Our goal is to empower student-athletes to utilize resources to leverage opportunities and help our university gain a competitive advantage.
NIL gives the K-State Family the opportunity to directly impact the success of our athletic program
We work with every student-athlete, Men’s and Women’s, Scholarship and Walk-on
At Wildcat NIL, our goal is to work with every athlete, in every sport. Scholarship and Walk-On’s, Men’s and Women’s. We Raise money to keep K-State competitive and equip our student-athletes with the resources it takes to be successful. We streamlined NIL so our players can focus on the two most important things: School and their respective sports. With our deep knowledge of the rules, we ensure that our athletes stay eligible.
es. We are a nonprofit. The Wildcat NIL Foundation is 100% tax deductible. We have 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. Every Donation over $250 will receive a tax receipt.
We are THE ONLY KSU Collective run by former K-State student-athletes. We are THE ONLY Collective with a partnership with the University. We speak directly with the school, athletic administration, and coaching staff. We have one of the LOWEST fees in the nation (10%) and we have more resources for our student-athletes than any other collective.
Our goal is to create a fair and equitable situation. We want to support every student-athlete at Kansas State. We try to align our student-athletes with team-wide deals to bring the most value to fans and the team.
Wildcat NIL is funded by the generous support of our fanbase, donors can contribute and directly impact the success of our athletic programs.
The Ahearn fund is extremely valuable to K-State. We want to add to that value and not take it away. We work with Ahearn to make sure that we are getting the most value for our student- athletes. We ensure that NIL should be in addition to Ahearn.
Agreed. We aren’t interested in that either. 87% of student-athletes live below the poverty line. Wildcat NIL is designed to support every K-State athlete and make NIL easy so they can focus on the things that matter most: School and their respective sport.
Any other collective is not partnered with the school, and against common belief, those collectives are run by outside groups who take anywhere from 18%-30% of the athletes’ money.
Wildcat NIL is the preferred collective of K-State Athletics. We are the only collective that is partnered with the school. Additionally, Wildcat NIL has the structure, credibility, and reliability to ensure 100% compliance and maximize NIL for the K-State Family. We are the only Collective that is run by all K-Staters. We also have the lowest fee (10%) for NIL collectives at K-State.
We don’t want that either. We aren’t interested in putting our athletes in Lamborghini. At Wildcat NIL, we are providing our student-athletes will financial literacy education and investment opportunities. This allows us to make a direct impact on their lives for the next 40 years, not just during their 4-year playing career.
We understand the frustration. Others have felt the same. As former student-athletes, we made $0 off NIL. But one thing is for certain, NIL is here to stay. Shouldn’t we navigate NIL the right way? The K-State way? We have an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our athletes.
Yes. Athlete marketing is the HOTTEST form of advertisement in the business world. Connect with one of our team members to find the best fit for your company!
We are the ONLY NIL Collective that has a partnership with the University. We work hand in hand with compliance to make sure our athletes are staying eligible. We also work with the Athletic Administration to ensure that we share the same vision and goals for the future of K-State.
K-State has never been known for the most fans, the biggest stadium, and the most ‘bells and whistles’. At K-State, we have always cared more. NIL levels the playing field and allows us to use the K-State brand to leverage opportunities for our student- athletes. We have more than enough support to be competitive in the NIL space.
Per NCAA guidelines, we do not use NIL as a recruiting tool. We reward student- athletes that have sweat equity in the program and that deserve the benefits of the K-State family. In the same way that winning attracts talent to K-State, navigating NIL the right way will do the same.
With Wildcat NIL, we have streamlined the process to make NIL easy for student- athletes. When NIL is done without proper representation and guidance, the athlete’s eligibility is in jeopardy. We give the athlete financial education, legal guidance, and assist with compliance reporting. We ensure the athlete is made aware of tax implications, and we offer education on saving modalities for the athletes. We are the one-stop shop for NIL.
We connect our student-athletes with local non-profits. We work with athletes on a non-exclusive basis, allowing them more opportunities. Additionally, we provide our athletes with financial literacy education, legal support, investment opportunities, and personal brand development. Our goals is to develop our student-athletes into thoughtful and caring community-minded leaders.
Since its founding in 1964, the Ahearn Fund has been K-State’s National Fund for Student Athlete Excellence with the primary objective of providing resources from athletic donors to support all 16 varsity teams and 450+ student-athletes. From academic programming to facility enhancements, the Ahearn Fund is committed to providing K-State teams with the resources necessary to succeed at the highest level. Throughout K-State Athletics’ history, Ahearn Fund members have provided support for thousands of student-athletes who have proudly worn the purple and white while earning their degree. To learn more or donate, visit AhearnFund.com
As a former Kansas State Football player, Jesse had a very decorated career with the Wildcats. As a former starting quarterback for Coach Bill Snyder, Ertz racked up many accolades including:
Jesse is a current territory manager in the medical device industry. With deep ties to the program, Ertz has a strong passion for assisting current Kansas State student-athletes and helping others learn and grow.
Growing up in Manhattan, KS, Pierson has always bled purple for the K-State Family. As a former Kansas State basketball player, Pierson was a walk-on turned scholarship student-athlete. Pierson, a 5-year letterman, was one of a few select athletes in the Big 12 to earn the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Achievement Award.
4x First-Team Academic All Big-12 Recipient
3x K-State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President
2x Student-Athlete Representative for the University President’s Advisory Committee
Pierson has a passion for Philanthropic organizations:
Pierson is currently a Wealth Advisor at Prime Capital Investment Advisors in Overland Park, KS.
As a former Kansas State football player, Ryan was a walk-on turned scholarship athlete. Ryan, a starter on defense and special teams earned the 2020 Jordy Nelson Football Scholarship.
4x First-Team Academic All Big-12 Recipient
Played in 31 career games
Ryan has a strong interest in Philanthropic involvement:
Growing up in a K-State family in nearby Abilene, KS, Curry has always had an intense passion for K-State. Curry was a WR on the K-State football team from 2011-2014, racking up 39 total wins and a Big 12 Championship in 2012. A team captain in 2014, Curry and Tyler Lockett became the only WR duo in K-State history to each surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. Curry racked up numerous other accolades during his time playing for Coach Bill Snyder, including:
Curry is currently an Attorney at Seigfreid Bingham in Kansas City, MO and serves on the board of Manhattan, KS organization, No Stone Unturned Foundation.
Growing up in Tulsa, OK, Aaron had massive success and deep routes at Kansas State University. As a former K-State and NFL receiver and return specialist, Aaron recorded 137 receptions for a total of 2,400 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 17.5 yards per reception for the Wildcats. In 2000, he was the NCAA punt return average and punt return touchdown leader, averaging 22.8 yards per return and having three punt return touchdowns. Aaron then took his talents where he played professionally. During his tenure with the Cats, Aaron broke many records including:
Aaron is currently a licensed NFL agent and he is the founder and owner of Next Page Sports.
Coleman is a native of Frankfort, Kansas, and traces his roots in the Manhattan area back to 1855.
Recently named a National Top 40 Under 40 civil plaintiff’s attorney by The National Trial Lawyers, Coleman was a Putnam Scholar at K-State and was the first-string goalie for the K-State Inline Hockey Club all four years. He was named Team Captain his senior season in 2010-11, and still holds multiple program records including most saves in a game, season, and career.
Coleman has volunteered with numerous Philanthropic organizations, including:
– Special Olympics
– The Humane Society
– Meals on Wheels
– Camp MITIOG for children with Spina Bifida
Coleman is currently an attorney with Patterson Legal Group and manages their Garden City, Kansas office.
Elder is a former Kansas State football player from Kansas City. Ross was a former walk-on turned scholarship athlete during his tenure. Ross finished the 2021 season with the 3rd most tackles on the team and capped off the season with an interception in a victory Vs LSU in the Texas Bowl.
Two Year starter
4x First-Team Academic All Big-12 Recipient
Ross has a strong interest in philanthropic involvement:
As a former Kansas State football player, Brad has deep ties in the K-State Family. As a Golden Cat member, Brad has an avid track record of supporting the University and Athletics Department.
Brad is a business owner with successful careers in professional advising and consultant logistics. Also, he has a strong presence in the corporate world and a track record in supply chain and E-Commerce. Brad brings business expertise with a passion for helping Kansas State student-athletes and engaging in philanthropic events.
Brad met his wife at Kansas State and now has three children who are all Kansas State alumni.
As a former William Jewell College baseball player, Christian majored in Business Administration and Critical Thought and Inquiry. Christian was a 4 year starter for the Cardinals.
4x GLVC Academic All American
2018 GLVC Player of the Week
GLVC Council of Presidents’ Excellence Award Recipient
Philanthropic Interests:
Christian is currently a Wealth Advisor at Prime Capital Investment Advisors in Overland Park, KS.
As a former KSU baseball player, Vern has a strong interest in helping the community and giving back to K-State Athletics.
Vern has spent his entire career as a development professional and consultant. He has served in number of roles during his career. Those include being Vice President of Institutional Advancement for Manhattan Christian College (KS), Senior Vice President for Hartsook & Associates consulting firm (KS), Vice President of Major Gift Programs for the KSU Foundation (KS), Executive Director of Development for the College of Engineering at Iowa State University (IA), Director of Development for the School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburg (PA), Associate Athletic Director at Humboldt State University (CA), and Assistant Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach at Fort Hays State University (KS). Vern earned both his B.S. and M.S. degrees at Kansas State University. He and Lane were married in 1981 and have two children. Jordan is married to Brittany and they have three children; Grace, Kaleb, and Luke. Lauren is married to Ross Metheny.
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