• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

University of Miami Turns to Tech to Help Student-Athletes Deliver on Social Media

Miami-Football

Miami-Football

(*INFLCR is a Proud Partner of Front Office Sports.)

Cool uniforms? Check. Brand new facilities? Check. The chance to continue to build a better social presence? Check.

As the opportunities for athletic programs to differentiate themselves dwindle, many are turning to helping their student-athletes grow their digital brands. Whether it’s bringing in outside speakers or arming them with tech solutions only a touch away, giving them the chance to leverage their time playing college sports more effectively has become the latest priority for programs across the country.

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

One of the latest to hop on this trend is the University of Miami. Led by Tim Brogdon, director of digital strategy, the Miami athletic department was looking for a way to allow their student-athletes the chance to get access to photos and videos created by Miami’s creative team.

This search led them to Influencer (INFLCR), a Birmingham-based SaaS startup that gives programs like Miami’s a platform to store, track, and deliver their content assets to the mobile devices of their student-athletes, coaches, alumni and other influencers who can then share this content on their personal social media channels.

Only a week old, the partnership has already proved tangible results. Since being onboarded, 55 different Miami student-athletes have downloaded and shared 511 content items, generating more than 68,000 likes on Instagram alone.

Brogdon pointed to the university being able to equip its student-athletes with something that will help them long after their playing days are over as to why they pulled the trigger for such a service.

“The University of Miami is one of the most well-known brands in all of sports, and our student-athletes are in the spotlight in many capacities – one of the biggest being the social media realm. With that in mind, we wanted to give our student-athletes a tool to showcase and build their personal brands while also helping grow the Miami Hurricanes brand at the same time. We want our student-athletes to leave Miami with a social brand that showcases who they are, what they’re about and to make sure they’re ready for the real world, no matter their profession once they graduate from The U.”

Working with programs like Kentucky, Auburn, Kansas, and Purdue, Jim Cavale, INFLCR’s CEO, views the trend of programs investing in their student-athletes digital presence a positive one.

“Giving attention to your student-athletes’ brands on social is something that 90 percent of college athletics brands are not going to do today, but 100 percent of them will be doing in the next 3-5 years.”

Miami is INFLCR’s first ACC client — and the deal will start with just football, but will have the chance to expand into other sports, something that Cavale is optimistic will happen.

“Most of our deals start with football and basketball and then grow beyond the revenue sports into the other sports a university may offer. For example, Jeremy McClain, the athletic director for Troy University, was the first to add a women’s sport, with women’s basketball recently coming on board in addition to football and men’s basketball.”

[mc4wp_form id=”8260″]

While Brogdon and Miami may be early adopters, if the trend Cavale is banking on comes true, INFLCR is going to be busy the next few years. If that is the case, everyone from the college athletic programs to their student-athletes will win. After all, isn’t that the purpose for all of this?

(*INFLCR is a Proud Partner of Front Office Sports.)

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell during the NFLPA press conference at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

NFLPA Head Has Side Hustle With PE Firm That Can Invest in..

The NFLPA’s executive director is embroiled in multiple controversies.

Deion Sanders Rips ‘Bulljunk’ in CFB, Calls for NFL-Style Salary Cap

Coach Prime is frustrated with the new revenue-sharing era.
Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Head coaches Willie Fritz of Houston, Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State, Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia, Lance Leipold of Kansas, Sonny Dykes of TCU, Kyle Whittingham of Utah, Brent Brennan of Arizona and Deion Sanders of Colorado all sit on stage for a Coaches Roundtable during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star.

Big 12 Commish: Conference Is ‘All In’ on International Expansion

The conference had once planned a large initiative in Mexico.

NFL’s Alternate Uniforms Fuel Big Business—and Lots of Nostalgia

The Commanders kick off a run of new NFL helmets and uniforms.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.