Florida Gators Sports Properties, LEARFIELD’s dedicated team representing the University Athletic Association (UAA), has announced Florida Victorious as a new partner of the Florida Gators
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Victorious is now a proud NIL partner of the Florida Gators, Florida Gators Sports Properties, LEARFIELD’S dedicated team representing the University Athletic Association (UAA), announced Tuesday afternoon.
Florida Victorious is an expansion of the non-profit Florida Achievement Support Trust (F.A.S.T.), which was founded in June 2022. Working with more than 90 Gator student-athletes across a number of sports, F.A.S.T. created NIL opportunities by partnering with a variety of non-profits throughout North Central Florida. Service work will remain a key aspect to Florida Victorious as the organization expands to impact more student-athletes and local charities.
“Florida Victorious provides valuable NIL opportunities for our student-athletes thanks to fans who support Gator athletics,” said Scott Stricklin, Athletic Director at the University of Florida. “There are a number of pillars that are key for success – facilities, academics, conference affiliation, geography and coaches. NIL is also a critical pillar, and we must excel in all of these areas for the Gators to be successful today and in the future.”
“Gator Nation wants to win, and in today’s environment, having a top NIL program is a key factor,” said Jose Costa, UF Alumn and Founder and Chairman, Florida Victorious. “Florida Victorious is all about strengthening Gator athletics by creating an exclusive community where our members and donors will have insider access to student-athletes as they engage in fan experiences, conduct service work and raise awareness for charities in the Gainesville community, and excel in their sports.”
Florida Victorious’ Advisory Board is made up of former University of Florida athletes and successful alumni including Anthony Richardson, Gary Condron, Hugh Hathcock, Laura Rutledge, Patric Young, Stephenie Bryan, and Trey Burton. Advisory board members will serve as ambassadors to Gator Nation and work with Florida Victorious leadership to help drive its success.
Florida Victorious offers fans a variety of membership options ranging from $15 – $250 per month, from which 90%+ of revenues will go to student-athletes. Benefits for members will include exclusive content offering an inside look at the lives of student-athletes and UF sports, unique memorabilia and merchandise, one-of-a-kind experiences and events, and member communities for the most passionate fans.
“Gator fans and alumni are truly part of our team,” said Billy Napier, Head Football Coach, University of Florida. “Their support of Florida Victorious allows us to be competitive in the NIL space and do it better than anyone in the country. We intend to continue teaching life lessons in college athletics, and this structure will create experiences for the players that will shape their character and values.”
Embodying this one-team mentality, Florida Victorious will welcome members of the Gator Collective at its launch to form a powerful, robust NIL organization.
“To help the Gators remain one of the leading athletic programs across all sports, our NIL operation must deliver,” said Nate Barbera, CEO, Florida Victorious. “Florida Victorious will match the characteristics of Gator Nation. We will be passionate. We will be competitive. And we will be bold.”
Florida Victorious’ leadership team includes passionate and dedicated professionals and UF alumni. In addition to Costa and Barbera, team members include Chief Financial Officer Felipe Torres de Navarra, Chief of Staff Ryan Dunn, Player Engagement Manager Lisa Ben-Chaim, Director of Development Erick Reasoner, and Director of Fan Engagement Jennifer Grosso.
All UAA sponsorships are managed by LEARFIELD’s Florida Gators Sports Properties, the multimedia rights holder and sports marketing arm for the Florida Gators. This local team handles all aspects of the rights relationship including venue signage; event sponsorships and promotion; corporate hospitality; television; digital engagement and visibility through the official athletics website FloridaGators.com as well as radio game broadcasts and coaches’ shows. LEARFIELD does not represent student-athletes. It represents the Gators, and university athletics intellectual property (IP) as part of the company’s exclusive multimedia rights agreement.