Below are the top NIL headlines from Monday, March 10th

Oregon’s Division Street Drops Nike Air Max 95/97 for Ducks’ NIL Push

The world of college sports and sneaker culture just collided in a big way. Division Street, the Oregon-focused NIL collective, has teamed up with GOAT and Flight Club to unveil the first-ever Nike Air Max 95/97—a hybrid sneaker that’s got Ducks fans and sneakerheads buzzing. 

Proceeds from the release? They’re funneling right back into Oregon’s NIL operations, further cementing the Ducks as a powerhouse in the ever-evolving NIL landscape. And if you know Division Street’s history, this isn’t their first rodeo with the Swoosh—nor will it be their last.

The Air Max 95/97 is dropping in three electrifying colorways: Lightning, Thunder, and Storm. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning summed up the program’s unapologetic NIL stance perfectly: “I don’t really care what people think. I just want to win; I know the reality of what our situation is here. There’s not a top-10 program in the nation that’s not funded and in a good position to compete, or they wouldn’t be a top-10 program.” Love it or hate it, the Ducks are playing the game—and they’re playing it well.

Division Street: Building a Multi-Lane Revenue Highway

Division Street came to life in September 2021, just months after the NCAA greenlit NIL. Alongside a crew of Oregon alumni, Phil Knight launched the collective with a clear vision: turn NIL into a competitive edge. Leading the charge is CEO Rosemary St. Clair, a former vice president of Nike Women, while former Oregon women’s basketball star Sabrina Ionescu serves as chief athlete officer and senior advisor.

And they’re not messing around when it comes to revenue streams. Back in February 2022, Division Street made waves with the Flying Formations NFT auction, a collaboration with the Oregon football team. Nearly 70% of the proceeds from the 120 serialized digital art pieces—each inspired by the Duck logo—went straight to participating football players. Another 10% was earmarked for other Oregon athletic programs. 

The Recruiting Edge

All this hustle has paid off on the recruiting trail. With Nike’s headquarters practically in their backyard, Oregon has turned Eugene into an NIL goldmine for prospects. Last summer, On3 ranked Division Street among the top 15 NIL collectives in college sports—a nod to its innovative approach and deep pockets.

The Brandr Group Levels Up with New Leadership

Big news out of the sports branding world: The Brandr Group has tapped Brian Learst as its new CEO, replacing Founder Wesley Haynes, who had held the reins since 2014. Learst steps in at a pivotal moment for the agency, which has become a powerhouse in managing NIL opportunities for college athletes. Haynes is passing the torch after building TBG into a leader, and now Learst’s ready to take it to the next level.

Learst brings serious cred from his time as Founder and CEO of Quint, a global leader in live event travel that he sold to Liberty Media in 2024. Quint’s exclusive deals with heavyweights like Formula One, the NBA, and the Kentucky Derby made it a juggernaut in experiential packages—perfect prep for navigating TBG’s mission. Plus, his gig on the Australian Supercars board shows he’s no stranger to high-octane sports leadership.

Learst’s pumped about the gig, saying, “This is an exciting time for collegiate athletics, with an evolving landscape that is creating new opportunities for student-athletes to maximize their earning potential.” He sees The Brandr Group as the go-to voice in NIL, focused on getting athletes fair pay for their talent. With his track record, expect him to bring big ideas from pro sports to empower the next gen of college stars.

Meanwhile, TBG’s doubling down with Jody Billiard stepping in as COO and CFO. Billiard’s fresh off a stint as CFO at Riley Power Group in the nuclear and energy game, and he’s got chops from big names like Coca-Cola Consolidated. His finance and ops expertise should keep TBG’s engine humming as it scales up.

TBG’s all about opening doors for over 20,000 athletes and 100+ colleges through its group rights programs. With decades of experience managing top-tier brands, they’re pros at turning NIL into real revenue—think licensing deals and marketing wins via their site. This leadership shakeup signals TBG’s ready to dominate the NIL space even more.

Flau’jae Johnson’s Smile Shines Brighter with Invisalign Deal

LSU’s basketball phenom Flau’jae Johnson just added a fresh NIL partnership to her stacked resume, teaming up with Invisalign ahead of the NCAA Tournament. The All-SEC First-Team guard, known for her 18.9 points per game and killer hip-hop tracks, is now flashing her confident smile as part of the orthodontic brand’s star-studded roster. This deal’s all about authenticity—Johnson’s braces-to-retainer journey makes her a perfect fit.

Johnson’s not just dominating on the court; her NIL game is next-level with brands like PUMA and now Invisalign in her corner. “A great smile is a confident smile,” she said, tying her love for her grin to this natural partnership. Growing up, she rocked braces but let her retainer slip—now Invisalign’s helping her keep that asset shining, whether she’s dropping buckets or bars.

Invisalign’s Senior VP Kamal Bhandal is hyped to have Johnson on board, spotlighting her as a confidence icon for young fans—especially girls facing self-esteem struggles. She joins a powerhouse crew of athletes like NFL star Patrick Mahomes and UCLA’s Kiki Rice, all repping Align Technology’s aligners with real-deal stories. This lineup’s stacked, and Johnson’s right at home among these champs.

Beyond hoops, Johnson’s a mogul in the making—think equity in Unrivaled, a stake in Bazooka Candy, and 20 acres of Atlanta land for future projects. Her NIL portfolio is as diverse as her game, and Invisalign’s just the latest win for the 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year turned First-Team star.