Friday, May 29, 2026
exclusive
College Sports

NIL Company Opendorse Raises $20M In Funding

  • Opendorse has landed $20 million in its latest funding round, Front Office Sports has learned.
  • In 2023, CEO Blake Lawrence predicts Opendorse will help athletes earn $100 million.
Nebraska wide receiver Trey Palmer runs past Iowa defenders
Scott Bruhn/Nebraska Communications

Name, image, and likeness company Opendorse has landed $20 million in its latest funding round, Front Office Sports has learned — bringing its total funding to about $40 million.

Multiple companies participated in the funding round, including Flyover Capital, Will Compton, Serra Ventures, former Formula One Managing Director Sean Bratches, and Advantage Capital.

Among other projects, Opendorse plans to use the money for a fan-subscription product called Opendorse Clubs, as well as to improve its NIL marketplace and increase its capacity for NIL collectives.

“This funding round is all about making sure that we have the capacity to keep up with the demand for our product and solution in the market,” CEO Blake Lawrence told Front Office Sports. 

One Year of NIL: Becoming a Billion-Dollar Industry

The industry could jump from $917 million to $1.14 billion in its…
July 1, 2022

Opendorse is one of several that launched before the NIL era with brand building and social media marketing tools for schools and athletes. In July 2021, they began to offer resources to help college athletes earn money and help schools to monitor compliance and provide education. 

The company’s funding round suggests that investors have confidence in the brand as a potential leader in the crowded NIL space — in 2023, Lawrence predicts Opendorse will have the tools to help athletes earn $100 million on the platform.

But it also suggests the industry in general shows no signs of slowing. In the first year of NIL, close to $1 billion flowed through the newly minted market, though there was concern that the influx of brands and donors would eventually abate. 

Lawrence, however, believes the funding round is proof that financial executives expect NIL to continue to grow.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Big 12 Coaches Unanimously Back 24-Team CFP Expansion

Every coach voted for a 24-team playoff on Thursday.
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A general view of the the line of scrimmaged during a game between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

At SEC Spring Meetings, a Consensus on Problems, but Not Solutions

Georgia discussed a “breakaway,” where the SEC would set or enforce its own rules.
May 26, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) and Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) picks in front of San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) during the third quarter in game five of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Paycom Center.
exclusive

Underdog Stands by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Promo

SGA’s attorney demanded Underdog “destroy” a board game poking fun at him.

Big 12 Commish Already Eyeing Next Media Deal, Bigger Payday

The conference’s media deals with Fox and ESPN run through this decade.

Featured Today

May 23, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Fans participate in a tarp off during a MLB game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium

‘Tarps Off’: How Shirtless Fans Took Over MLB

The viral movement began with the SFA club baseball team.
Apr 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) walks to the on deck circle during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field
May 28, 2026

Why Ballparks Are Louder Than Ever

Some stadiums sound like veritable nightclubs. How did we get here?
May 24, 2026; Evanston, IL, USA; Northwestern Wildcats attack Kathryn Ratanaproeksa (13) shoots against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the first half at Martin Stadium
May 26, 2026

Can Women’s Lacrosse Buck the Trend in College Sports?

The sport is fighting to prove its worth in the revenue-sharing era.
May 22, 2026

Big Money on the Line on Premier League’s Final Day

Arsenal has won the title, but millions are still at stake.

Big 12 Coaches Back March Madness Expansion: Bigger Is Better

Next year’s tournament will expand from 68 to 76 teams.
Texas Tech's Brendan Sorsby goes through warmups before the spring football game, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jones AT&T Stadium.
May 27, 2026

NCAA Denial Sends Brendan Sorsby Eligibility Fight to Court

A hearing for Sorsby’s lawsuit is scheduled for June 1.
Ted Cruz
May 27, 2026

Senators Introduce Long-Awaited Bipartisan College Sports Bill

The bill comes one week after the House canceled another vote on the SCORE Act.
Sponsored

The Hidden Economy of Race Weekend

Learn more about the Vintage Flying Museum and how Spectrum Business is helping them achieve their business goals while fueling their dreams.
Florida head coach Jon Sumrall speaks after spring practice at Sanders Practice Fields in Gainesville, FL on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. [Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]
May 26, 2026

No Consensus Among SEC Coaches Over CFP Expansion

“I’m really more worried about the financial burden that we’re under right now.”
Dec 31, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs with the ball against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Camping World Stadium.
May 25, 2026

Sankey: No Decision on CFP Expansion Expected This Week

Sankey said the meeting was the most-anticipated of any in recent memory.
May 22, 2026

Southern Schools Silent on Proposed Black Athlete Boycott

The campaign asks Black athletes, fans to boycott several southern athletic departments.
Apr 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, United States; Wisconsin Badgers defenseman Joe Palodichuk (14) and Denver Pioneers forward Kyle Chyzowski (16) battle for control of the puck during the second period in the championship game of the NCAA men's ice hockey Frozen Four at T-Mobile Arena
May 22, 2026

Hockey Unites to Demand Change to NCAA ‘5-in-5’ Proposal

The sport doesn’t want to be “collateral damage” of the new rule.