The Central Methodist Department of Athletics has agreed to a partnership with Opendorse, the leading name, image, and likeness (NIL) marketplace for student-athletes to develop partnerships with brands, supporters, and local businesses. With this announcement, CMU is a leader in the Heart of America Conference to develop a NIL partnership with Opendorse that will begin immediately.

“As one of the premier athletic programs within the NAIA, this partnership with Opendorse will provide numerous benefits in relation to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) for our CMU student-athletes, staff, and administration,” said Director of Athletics Jeff Sherman. “We have outstanding student-athletes and there’s no better avenue than for them to tell their own stories and experiences while at CMU.”

Currently, more than 80,000 athletes use Opendorse to understand, build, and monetize their names, images, and likenesses with support from thousands of brands, fans, sponsors, donors, and partners. Upon the agreement, the partnership provides CMU student-athletes with full access to the company’s all-in-one NIL platform. In addition, it provides student-athletes and staff with Opendorse’s best-in-class compliance, content, and education tools.

“Opendorse is the leader in the (NIL) and is the leading technology provider in the athletic endorsement industry,” added Sherman. “This platform allows our athletic department to meet compliance and reporting requirements of the NAIA. In addition, it will provide our student-athletes access to NIL education along with the resources that will help facilitate fans, supporters, donors brands, and management of NIL deals. We are proud to partner with Opendorse which will help foster Eagle Athletes in growing their brands.”