Roy, a mobile application designed to support college athletes' Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, has announced a strategic partnership with Olympic Silver Medalist Kennedy Blades to enhance financial support for female athletes, with a particular emphasis on wrestling.
The collaboration comes at a critical time when women's wrestling is experiencing significant growth, especially with the University of Iowa launching the first Power Five women's wrestling program. Through this partnership, Roy aims to address the uneven access to NIL opportunities by creating a transparent, fan-driven marketplace that directly connects athletes with financial support.
As part of the initiative, Roy will match fan contributions up to $100 for Iowa women's athletes during February and March. This means when fans download the Roy app and contribute to a selected athlete, the company will match the donation dollar for dollar, ensuring direct and transparent financial support.
Roy's platform differentiates itself by guaranteeing that every contribution goes directly to the chosen athlete without deducting fees. The app also provides additional security by returning funds to fans if an athlete transfers or cannot fulfill promised content, creating a trust-based ecosystem for NIL support.
For female athletes in non-revenue sports, who historically have had limited financial opportunities, this partnership represents a significant step toward more equitable NIL support. By amplifying untold stories and creating strategic partnerships, Roy and Blades are working to transform how college athletes, particularly women, can monetize their athletic achievements.
