Ohio State football players will receive 100% of fan contribution over a 48-hour period to enhance athlete retention

COLUMBUS, OH – (April 10, 2024) – THE Foundation, the first NIL collective for Ohio State Football & Basketball, and their partner Five Star Fans today announced a campaign to provide Name,Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation directly to Ohio State football players,around and during the nationally televised Spring Football Game on April 13 in Columbus. This groundbreaking campaign will forward 100% of the fan contributions over a 48-hour window directly to Ohio State Football student-athletes.

Five Star Fans has built a cutting-edge fan engagement digital platform, seamlessly extending the thrill of stadium or arena experiences into a digital world. Their core product is a crowd sourcing platform for recruits and current student-athletes whose institutions have partnered with Five Star Fans, where fans can earn or buy “likes” to send to the athletes. Starting Friday, April 12 at 10 a.m. until 10 a.m. Sunday,every “like” garnered will be converted into tangible support. For the athletes, this translates into receiving a NIL deal reflective of the value of the accumulated likes from Five Star Fans.

“THE Foundation and Ohio State athletics have always been at the forefront of innovation and support of their student-athletes,” said Tina Provost, Co-Founder and CEO of Five Star Fans. “As a former Buckeye athlete myself, having the opportunity to facilitate direct support to these athletes is incredibly fulfilling. With nearly 100,000fans in The Shoe on Saturday afternoon, I can’t think of a better place to showcase our mission of amplifying the experience of college sports by redistributing power to the athletes and the fans who support them.”

“Partnering with Five Star Fans through THE Foundation is not just about compensating athletes for their NIL, but also bringing the fan into the process of roster retainment and recruitment,” said Cardale Jones, Co-Founder of THE Foundation. “As someone who understands the importance of seizing opportunities, I'm proud to be a part of this initiative that empowers Ohio State athletes to benefit from their name, image, and likeness, and look forward to watching the next wave of champions in the scarlet and gray.”

Despite focusing on athlete retention this weekend, Five Star Fans will also serve as a major contributor throughout the recruiting process. Recruits from across the country can sign up to elicit fan engagement ahead of committing to their institution of choice. When an athlete does enroll in their chosen university, they will receive a NIL deal for the value of likes from Five Star Fans. The company will then reinvest a portion of the unselected universities’ likes back into their athletic programs.

“This partnership exemplifies our commitment to supporting student-athletes and fostering a sustainable model for NIL compensation,” said Brian Schottenstein, Co-Founder of THE Foundation. “By harnessing the power of our fan support through Five Star Fans' innovative platform, we can provide tangible benefits to our student-athletes and contribute to their overall success both on and off the field.”

Each fan that signs up during the 48-hour athlete retention campaign will receive five free likes from Five Star Fans. To join the Five Star Fans community and support Ohio State student-athletes, visit https://www.fivestarfans.com and create an account.

About Five Star Fans
Five Star Fans is a dynamic digital platform at the forefront of revolutionizing fan engagement in college sports. Founded by former Division I College Cheerleaders Tina Provost and Jennifer Barr Dean in 2023, Five Star Fans offers a cutting-edge crowdsourcing platform where fans can directly support their favorite athletes through innovative NIL initiatives. By redistributing power to athletes and fans alike, Five Star Fans amplifies the college sports experience while providing tangible benefits to student-athletes.With a commitment to changing the game and getting fans out of their seats and into the game, Five Star Fans is leading the way in reshaping the landscape of college sports engagement.

About THE Foundation
THE Foundation is a pioneering nonprofit organization established by Brian Schottenstein and Cardale Jones, dedicated to empowering Ohio State athletes through name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities. Our mission is to support student-athletes while promoting charitable causes within the community. Through strategic partnerships and events, THE Foundation facilitates collaborations between Ohio State athletes and approved charities,leveraging their platform to raise awareness and support. As the premier non-profit NIL collective for Ohio State Football & Basketball, THE Foundation is committed to fostering meaningful connections between athletes and causes, ensuring a positive impact both on and off the field.

Media Contact:
Jackson Gaskins
Digital Sport by Hot Paper Lantern
Jgaskins@hotpaperlantern.com