Inside Campus Ink: How the NIL Store Are Redefining Athlete Branding

In the ever-evolving world of college athletics, few companies have made as significant an impact as Campus Ink and its athlete-driven platform, the NIL Store.

On a recent episode of the ProFluence Sports Podcast, Adam Cook, Vice President at Campus Ink, shared a behind-the-scenes look at how the company is transforming the name, image, and likeness (NIL) landscape — and why its athlete-first model is setting a new standard for the industry.

From a Vision to a Movement: The Origin of the NIL Store

Cook’s journey began with a background rooted in sports and a passion for purpose-driven work. After a career in athletics and nonprofit initiatives, he connected with Campus Ink co-founder Steven Farag through a SaaS startup in the print industry. When NIL legislation changed in 2021, the two saw an opportunity to do things differently — and ethically.

“We wanted to be athlete-forward from the start,” Cook said. “Back then, that was a pretty vanguard idea.”

Their vision was quickly validated when Mark Cuban responded to a cold email from Farag — a turning point that propelled Campus Ink into the national NIL spotlight.

The NIL Store: Where Moments Becomes Merch

At the heart of Campus Ink’s NIL model is the NIL Store, a platform where fans can buy officially licensed merchandise featuring their favorite college athletes. But this isn’t just about slapping a name on a jersey. It’s about capturing real moments — buzzer-beaters, viral plays, and record-setting performances — and turning them into products that athletes can proudly profit from.

“We like to say we move at the speed of sport,” Cook noted. “If something special happens on the court or the field, that athlete should be able to monetize it immediately.”

One standout example: a North Dakota State football player named Hunter Poncius who blocked a game-winning kick and left a football imprint on his arm. That moment became a viral t-shirt — and a major payday.

A Better NIL Model: Athlete-Centric Revenue Sharing

Unlike traditional models that offer athletes 4% or less of merchandise sales, Campus Ink flips the script. With in-house production and transparent costs, athletes keep the difference between cost of goods and the final retail price — often netting significantly higher earnings.

“Why should athletes just be happy with a sliver?” Cook asked. “We give them real margins and real control.”

The result? Over $2.5 million paid out to athletes and more than 25,000 athletes onboarded from over 120 schools nationwide — including non-revenue sports like wrestling, volleyball, and women’s soccer.

The Power of Student Creators and Campus Culture

Scaling across so many campuses would be impossible without boots on the ground. That’s why Campus Ink empowers student creators — aspiring marketers, designers, and social media managers — to run local activations and source real-time stories on campus.

“You can’t buy culture,” Cook said. “Our ambassadors give us the pulse of what’s happening at every school.”

This high-touch model not only drives sales but also creates career-building opportunities for students and athletes alike.

Looking Ahead: Revenue Sharing and a New Era of NIL

With the House v. NCAA settlement ushering in a formal revenue share model, Cook sees this as the second starting line for NIL — and Campus Ink is ready.

“This removes the barriers schools had when it came to working closely with athletes,” he said. “Now they can help facilitate NIL opportunities instead of staying at arm’s length.”

This opens the door for deeper partnerships, philanthropic initiatives, and fully integrated school-athlete-brand collaborations.

Building Beyond College: The Future of Athlete Branding

While college sports remain the company’s core, Cook acknowledged growing interest in extending the model into youth, academy, and emerging leagues — from TST to Unrivaled.

“As more money flows into amateur sports, NIL becomes an asset class — not just an entertainment vehicle.”

But Campus Ink remains cautious and strategic, focusing on infrastructure and legal considerations, especially in high school markets.

Final Thoughts: Athletes as Brands, Stories as Strategy

Adam Cook’s message is clear: the future of NIL is not just about cashing in — it’s about building something lasting.

“We’re not just trying to get athletes paid. We’re trying to help them build lifelong brands.”

Whether it’s a viral t-shirt or a personalized jersey, Campus Ink and the NIL Store are proving that when you put the athlete first, everyone wins.

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