USA Triathlon Foundation Supports NIL Collective for Women’s Collegiate Triathletes as USA Triathlon Becomes First NGB to Launch NIL Collective

November 2, 2022

USA Triathlon is the first National Governing Body in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement to launch an NIL Collective.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – USA Triathlon and the USA Triathlon Foundation today announced the launch of the Watch Us Thrive Collective, providing the opportunity for NCAA women’s triathlon student-athletes to capitalize on their name, image and likeness.

USA Triathlon is the first National Governing Body in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement to launch an NIL Collective.

“Now is an incredibly exciting time for women’s collegiate triathlon, both as we head toward becoming an NCAA championship sport and with the emergence of NIL deals in collegiate athletics,” said Tim Yount, Chief Sport Development Officer of USA Triathlon. “The Watch Us Thrive Collective will allow NCAA women’s collegiate triathlon fans and supporters of the sport a tangible way to help current and future triathlon student-athletes, while the athletes can help spread the word about the virtues of our sport, community and NCAA women’s triathlon. It also shows USA Triathlon is committed to being a long-term and active partner in the development of this sport at the NCAA level.”

Financed through donors, the Watch Us Thrive Collective supports women’s triathlon student-athletes in the form of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) payments. In return, NIL recipients will promote triathlon and NCAA women’s triathlon movement on their social media channels and through other digital avenues.

Those who are interested in furthering the goals of the Collective can donate here. All donations to the Collective are tax-deductible.

More than 300 women from 24 countries compete in women’s collegiate triathlon at the varsity level at NCAA Division I, II and III schools across the country. More than 40 schools offer women’s collegiate triathlon at the varsity level, an important benchmark reached earlier this year as the NCAA Emerging Sport for Women now has a few more steps to take on its way to being fully managed by the NCAA as a Championship Sport. This summer, the Division I University of Arizona became the latest school to announce it would add varsity women’s triathlon to its sports programs.

The 2022 women’s collegiate triathlon season concludes on Nov. 12 in Tempe, Arizona, for the 2022 Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championships, hosted by Arizona State University. Throughout the next week in the leadup to the Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championships USA Triathlon will highlight the athletes, coaches and storylines in “day in the life” features, social media takeovers and more. Check out @usatriathlon social media and usatriathlon.org for the content.

For more information about triathlon as an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women, visit usatriathlon.org/ncaa.

For questions regarding women’s collegiate triathlon events, programming and recruiting, contact Tim Yount, USA Triathlon Chief Sport Development Officer, at tim.yount@usatriathlon.org. 

To learn more about the USA Triathlon Foundation and the program it supports, visit usatriathlonfoundation.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made online, and go to supporting the Foundation’s three pillars.

About the USA Triathlon Foundation
The USA Triathlon Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the charitable arm of USA Triathlon. With its mission to transform lives through sport by providing opportunities to swim, bike and run, the Foundation serves to generate a greater impact on the multisport community through charitable giveback and grants that advance the Foundation’s three pillars: (1) Encourage youth participation; (2) Inspire adaptive athletes; and (3) Ignite Olympic/Paralympic dreams. Since the Foundation was established in 2014, it has impacted the lives of thousands by providing grants to organizations and individuals in pursuit of its mission and pillars to create a healthier United States through triathlon. To learn more about the Foundation and get involved, please visit usatriathlonfoundation.org.

About USA Triathlon

USA Triathlon is proud to serve as the National Governing Body for triathlon, as well as duathlon, aquathlon, aquabike, winter triathlon, off-road triathlon, paratriathlon, and indoor and virtual multisport events in the United States. Founded in 1982, USA Triathlon sanctions more than 4,000 races and connects with more than 400,000 members each year, making it the largest multisport organization in the world. In addition to its work at the grassroots level with athletes, coaches, and race directors — as well as the USA Triathlon Foundation — USA Triathlon provides leadership and support to elite athletes competing at international events, including World Triathlon Championships, Pan American Games and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. USA Triathlon is a proud member of World Triathlon and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

– usatriathlon.org –