Florida State NIL collective Micconope 1851 partners with Blueprint Sports
Florida State’s crowded NIL market is getting a facelift.
Micconope 1851 – a Florida State Seminoles’ focused NIL collective – announced Tuesday it is partnering with Blueprint Sports, one of the top collective operating companies in the industry. Micconope 1851 currently supports Florida State student-athletes in the football, men’s and women’s basketball and women’s soccer programs.
“Our new Blueprint Sports partnership will fuel our already strong collective to better deliver on community engagements and student-athlete support,” Micconope 1851 board member Allen Beyer said in a statement to On3. “Taking action now is critical to ensure our FSU student-athletes have the resources and leadership opportunities to remain competitive nationally and positioned for success beyond graduation.”
Blueprint Sports will have a familiar face helping Micconope expand its footprint in the Florida State market. Chris Asa, Blueprint Sports’ vice president of donor relations, worked previously as a former development and revenue growth professional at Florida State Athletics.
“I look forward to working with the team at Florida State once again,” Asa said in a statement. “There is a great deal of passion and potential for the Seminoles and Micconope 1851 will set the bar high for student-athlete engagements, education and development opportunities.”
Blueprint Sports has a national portfolio of 14 NIL collectives that it helps run, including Friends of Wilbur & Wilma at Arizona, Pack of Wolves of NC State and Friends Of Spike at Gonzaga.
Big collective competition at Florida State
Micconope 1851 launched in April 2022, founded by Florida State alum Mike Underwood and fellow alum and former player James Coleman. The focus was to provide financial earning opportunities but also help developmental opportunities.
Micconope 1851 says it helps “maximize opportunities for Seminole student-athletes to succeed, grow their brand and engage with local community partners for years to come.” The foundation of Micconope 1851 is steeped in reverence for the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The word “Micconope” means young chief or leader in the native dialect.
Through Micconope 1851 donors can make tax-deductible contributions through the BPS Foundation. The foundation is a 501I(3) organization “formed to educate, encourage and assist Seminole student-athletes in their efforts to engage with the local community through charitable causes.”
“Our love and passion for Florida State University is unparalleled and this passion leads us to seek ways to enhance the lives of FSU student-athletes far beyond the playing field,” Underwood said in a statement to On3. “Additionally, the respect and honor we have for the Seminole Tribe of Florida sets us apart from our peers. We will always remain focused on the Tribe’s dedication to the unconquered spirit.”
Nonetheless, there’s a big battle for donor dollars in the Florida State market. Along with Micconope 1851, Seminole student-athletes also have Rising Spear and The Battles End collectives actively operating in the market.
The Battles End generated headlines in December and January by signing quite a few of FSU’s top football players to NIL deals. The deals are focused on retention and supporting recruiting efforts. Likewise, Rising Spear has been wildly successful since its inception, including recently getting an official blessing from Florida State’s athletic department. The announcement was made possible through a partnership between Learfield and the Seminole Sports Properties.