Add tailgates to the list of new innovative ways companies are partnering with student-athletes for NIL deals.
Pack of Wolves, the North Carolina State-focused collective, recently announced a partnership with Earp’s Seafood Market that will make the local seafood institution the collective’s first official tailgate sponsor for the 2023 season.
We’re excited to announce @Earps_Seafood as an official tailgate sponsor, starting at the Spring Game! 🐟🏈 Stop by for the freshest seafood in Raleigh at our tailgates all season! Plus, some very fishy content with your favorite athletes soon! 🐺#GoPack | #PackofWolves #NIL pic.twitter.com/TbHpAfKkzl
— Pack Of Wolves NIL Collective (@packofwolvesnil) April 5, 2023
The new partnership kick-started with a cook-off event featuring two teams of NC State football players. Offensive lineman Tim McKay and Anthony Belton competed against defensive lineman CJ Clark and Davin Vann in a ‘Best Cooked Fish’ and ‘Best Cooked Shrimp’ competition.
McKay and Belton’s red snapper defeated Clark and Vann’s mahi mahi for the ‘Best Cooked Fish’, however, the pass rushers took the prize for the ‘Best Cooked Shrimp’.
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The event was just the beginning of a long-term partnership with the local seafood spot that is just a mile away from the Raleigh campus.
The deal includes the seafood market providing food at Pack of Wolves tailgates throughout the football season along with activation opportunities for student-athletes.
The fun side of NIL. 🤣@Earps_Seafood x @packofwolvesnil pic.twitter.com/T1KHINapMg
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) April 5, 2023
The announcement comes just before the Wolfpack’s spring football game, where Earp’s will provide steamer pots and other tailgate food for the Pack of Wolves spring football tailgate on April 8.
“Earp’s Seafood is proud to support Pack of Wolves and the student-athletes of NC State,” Earp’s Seafood general manager, Nikki Bloch, said in a press release. “Our seafood market has served the Raleigh community for more than 50 years, and we look forward to providing the freshest seafood for Wolfpack fans at tailgates this fall.”
RELATED: North Carolina State student-athletes capitalize on NIL opportunities
For the student-athletes, the partnership will allow them to serve as brand ambassadors for Earp’s Seafood Market along with promoting them on their social media platforms.
How it started vs how it ended…
— Pack Of Wolves NIL Collective (@packofwolvesnil) April 5, 2023
Who knew @PackFootball could cook some seafood 🤩 pic.twitter.com/3k1iDC1qvh
The promotion will begin with several football players participating in a video series. Future video and social media campaigns will occur throughout the year.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Earp’s and to be further connecting the Pack of Wolves community with businesses in Raleigh,” Pack of Wolves general manager Chris Vurnakes said in a statement. “There haven’t been a lot of seafood markets that have gotten involved with NIL, so we’re proud that Pack of Wolves can be on the forefront of unique NIL partnerships for our student-athletes and our community.”
