CARMEL, Ind. – The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) has announced a new partnership with Opendorse, the leading NIL technology, data, and service provider. The agreement delivers dedicated consulting and education resources to HCAC leadership, giving the conference a stronger foundation to guide student-athletes through the evolving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape.
Through this partnership, Opendorse will provide NIL consulting and education directly to HCAC Commissioner Jay Jones and conference leadership. The focus is on giving the conference a clearer picture of the NIL landscape at the Division III level, so its leadership is better positioned to support and guide its member institutions going forward.
“The Heartland Conference is committed to the core beliefs and tenets of Division III athletics, while also continuing to evolve with changes in intercollegiate athletics at all levels. To center those two priorities and provide our student-athletes with the best opportunities possible to enrich their education, we feel strongly that a core understanding of the NIL landscape for our campus leaders is a necessary tool,” said Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Commissioner Jay Jones. “Opendorse has been front and center with Division III schools since the dawn of the NIL era, and we are thrilled to work with them in gaining the education we need.”
The partnership builds on a relationship that has already taken shape on one of college football's most unique postseason stages. The HCAC is one of four conferences featured in the Opendorse Bowl Series, held annually at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. The event has brought NIL education and exposure directly to Division III student-athletes in a setting typically reserved for higher levels of the game, and this partnership extends that work into their day-to-day operations.
NIL at the Division III level has its own set of dynamics, and having a knowledgeable resource at the conference level to work through those questions is increasingly valuable. For Opendorse, this partnership is another step toward ensuring every athlete, no matter the sport or level, has access to meaningful NIL support.
"The HCAC has shown significant interest in getting this right for their schools and their athletes," said Jake Daugherty, Director, Collegiate Partnerships at Opendorse. "This partnership gives Commissioner Jones and the conference the insights and education they need to guide their schools with clarity and confidence. We have gotten to know this conference well through the Bowl Series, and we are looking forward to working with the leadership across the conference.”
About Opendorse
Opendorse is the technology, data, and service platform powering the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) industry for colleges, collectives, consumers, and commercial partners. More than 175,000 athlete influencers use Opendorse to build, promote, and monetize their personal brands through the largest athlete media network.