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FSU's Michaela Edenfield headlines ‘game-changing’ NIL experience

“We got to learn from athletes we see every day."

Allison Royalty, a softball player at Florida State, arrived early to a Tallahassee craft brewery called Township to support her teammate, Michaela Edenfield.

Royalty rocked a trendy Essentials hoodie as she floated around the patio, from a food buffet to a photo booth and, finally, to a seating area where nearly 50 Seminole student-athletes gathered.

They were dialed in on the night’s guest speaker, Edenfield, who has established herself as a leader in the Name, Image and Likeness space.

No pressure. No PowerPoint presentations. Just NIL education for athletes, by athletes.

“It’s a great event for everyone,” Royalty said. “We’re just comfortable. It’s fun to come to. It’s fun to be a part of.”

***

Edenfield, who inked an NIL deal with MarketPryce for her speaking time, broke down how she confidently builds an authentic brand on social media, shared content creation tips and highlighted time management best practices.

Edenfield’s experience partnering with national brands from Taco Bell and Lulus to Tallahassee's Gin & Cotton Boutique helped her answer the wide range of questions.

“We got to learn from athletes we see every day,” said Seminoles first baseman, Bethaney Keen. “As I’m trying to figure out my identity, and my brand, and how I want that to look … Seeing how Michaela represents herself is something we can all learn from.”

MarketPryce Head of Athlete Engagement, Michael Ehrlich joined Edenfield at center stage and helped drive the conversation. After her session, Ehrlich shared multiple NIL opportunities with attendees.

Rising Spear, a Florida State collective that officially partnered with MarketPryce in April, helped connect student-athletes with local businesses like Solle’s Pizza and Tally + Fin, a local boutique.

"As a new business in the college town area of Tallahassee, it's so important for us to connect with the FSU community,” Solle’s owner Phil Sollecito shared. “MarketPryce provided me the opportunity to partner directly with a diverse group of student-athletes to visit my restaurant, enjoy lunch, promote the opening and earn a NIL deal.

"This was a win-win for everyone and I look forward to continuing to partner with Seminole athletes in the future.”

Student-athletes also received product from event sponsors Morningside Naturals and G.O.A.T Fuel. Madelyne Anderson (beach volleyball), Tom House (men’s basketball), Edenfield and others are discussing long-term partnerships with the brands.

***

Edenfield capped her speaking portion of the evening by looking ahead.

“I'm really excited to see what we're (MarketPryce and Rising Spear) going to do in the future,” Edenfield said, “and how many other student-athletes we can help.”

As student-athletes later filed out of Township buzzing, full of bar food and content to have closed NIL deals, MarketPryce CEO and co-founder Jason Bergman was ecstatic to help his University Partnerships team replicate the “game-changing” event across the country.

“We want to meet student-athletes where they are,” Bergman said. “We’ve talked to thousands of student-athletes, and we talk to universities every day. They both tell us how difficult it can be to get in a room together for an event that’s truly innovative.

“That’s exactly what we’re doing in Tallahassee.”

‍‍MarketPryce empowers athletes and brands to grow through the power of partnerships. Want to work together? Hit us up.

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