Teddy Wong's Dumplings & Wine has announced an official Name, Image, and Likeness partnership with Duncan Chan, a standout athlete on the TCU Men's Tennis team. The partnership represents a strategic alignment between the Fort Worth restaurant and one of the university's most promising rising competitors, built upon shared commitments to discipline, consistency, and excellence. These values define both Chan's approach on the court and Teddy Wong's philosophy at the table, creating a natural connection between culinary precision and athletic performance.
Owned by Chef-Partner Patrick Ru and Lori and Kevin Cates, Teddy Wong's Dumplings & Wine has maintained longstanding support for local athletics and has been a proud follower of TCU Tennis. The restaurant's leadership identified parallels between the precision, endurance, and quiet intensity of tennis and the standards guiding their kitchen and hospitality operations. This recognition of shared values formed the foundation for the partnership, which extends beyond traditional sponsorship to embrace the NIL framework that allows collegiate athletes to monetize their personal brands.
"Tennis has always been a sport we admire for its discipline and focus," said Chef-Partner Patrick Ru and Kevin Cates. "Duncan embodies those qualities. He's thoughtful, hardworking, and deeply committed to improving his craft — values we respect and are proud to support." The restaurant's leadership emphasized that Chan's personal attributes align with their operational philosophy, making the partnership more than a simple marketing arrangement.
Originally from Canada, Chan has quickly established himself at TCU through his work ethic, competitive drive, and steady progress on the court. He and his teammates are frequent guests at Teddy Wong's, creating an authentic connection between the restaurant and the Horned Frogs tennis community that predates the formal partnership. This existing relationship adds depth to the collaboration, as it emerges from genuine mutual appreciation rather than purely transactional considerations.
"I'm grateful for the support from Teddy Wong's," said Chan. "It means a lot to partner with a restaurant that values dedication and growth the way TCU Tennis does. Their support motivates me to keep pushing forward." The athlete's statement highlights the motivational aspect of such partnerships for collegiate competitors, who benefit from both financial support and community recognition as they develop their athletic careers.
The NIL partnership reflects Teddy Wong's broader commitment to investing in young talent and supporting the Fort Worth community that has embraced the restaurant since its founding. As Chan continues to build momentum in his collegiate career, Teddy Wong's positions itself as a supportive partner in his journey both on and off the court. This approach represents a strategic evolution in how local businesses engage with collegiate athletics, moving beyond traditional advertising to form meaningful connections with individual athletes whose values align with their brand identity.
For the restaurant industry, this partnership demonstrates how culinary establishments can leverage NIL opportunities to build authentic community connections while supporting local talent. The collaboration between a destination restaurant known for refined Chinese cuisine and a collegiate tennis athlete illustrates how shared values can transcend industry boundaries. As NIL arrangements continue to reshape collegiate athletics, partnerships like this one may serve as models for how businesses can engage with student-athletes in ways that benefit both parties while strengthening community ties.
The announcement comes as NIL partnerships become increasingly common in collegiate sports, representing a significant shift in how athletes can benefit from their personal brands during their college careers. For more information about Teddy Wong's Dumplings & Wine, visit https://teddywongs.com. The restaurant's media contact can be reached at info@teddywongs.com for additional details about their community initiatives and partnerships.
