CHICAGO – The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is excited to announce the launch of
Flames Exchange, a cutting-edge Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) marketplace developed in collaboration with Teamworks Influencer. This new platform will provide UIC student-athletes with a seamless, compliant and efficient way to connect on NIL opportunities with businesses in the diverse Chicago market, as well as nationally and globally, while also pairing with collectives and Flames' fans anywhere in the world.
"At UIC, we are committed to providing our student-athletes with the resources, support and opportunities they need to thrive on and off the field," said
Andrea Williams, UIC director of intercollegiate athletics. "Flames Exchange is a reflection of our mission to elevate the UIC student-athlete experience and continue building a holistic championship culture. We're excited about what the future holds for our student-athletes and proud to play a part in shaping it."
Flames Exchange serves as a centralized hub where student-athletes explore and manage NIL deals, while businesses and individuals can easily discover and engage with UIC student-athletes who align with their brand values. Through the platform, athletes create profiles, negotiate agreements and oversee partnerships, ensuring a streamlined NIL experience.
Businesses can register to access a searchable database of UIC student-athletes, filtering by sport and other relevant criteria to identify the best potential partners. Once an NIL agreement is reached, Flames Exchange facilitates secure transactions, automates tax documentation and ensures full compliance with NCAA regulations.
Flames Exchange is free to use for both student-athletes and businesses. The platform is set to officially launch on May 13.
For more information, visit
https://app.inflcr.com/exchange/university-of-illinois-chicago or contact:
The UIC Department of Athletics supports 18 NCAA Division I sports programs comprised of 300 student-athletes and 85 coaches and staff. Since earning NCAA Division I status in 1981, UIC has amassed 76 conference championships and made 48 NCAA postseason appearances. In addition, 21 Flames have achieved All-America status, 88 have earned recognition as a conference Player of the Year, and 60 coaches have been honored as a conference Coach of the Year. Flames student-athletes have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for 21 consecutive semesters, while boasting a school-record 994 NCAA Academic Progress Rate (APR) and 92-percent NCAA Graduation Success Rate (GSR). The Flames compete in the Missouri Valley Conference, a league that features 12 public and private institutions that each have impressive academic reputations as well as storied traditions of broad-based athletic programs.
About Teamworks Influencer
Teamworks Influencer, part of the Teamworks Operating System for Sports™, is the leading athlete brand-building and NIL business management platform, serving over 270 collegiate and professional sports organizations. The Influencer app educates student-athletes, coaches, and staff on NIL best practices in a secure, compliant environment, featuring top-tier content delivery to support student-athletes in promoting their brand.
The platform also includes Influencer Exchange, a school-customized NIL marketplace where businesses, collectives, and fans can find, communicate with, pay, and track NIL transactions with student-athletes. This system maximizes student-athlete earning potential while streamlining compliance and tax reporting responsibilities.
For more information about Teamworks Influencer, visit teamworks.com/influencer.
