The platform will aide with payments to student athletes as well as streamline contract creation
HOUSTON — August 28, 2025 — TheLinkU, the premier NIL platform focused on simplifying and enhancing opportunities for college athletes and institutions, announced today its renewed partnership with Players Era as the official NIL platform for the 2025 Players Era Men’s and Women’s Championships.
In addition to renewing its partnership, TheLinkU and Players Era have teamed up to launch a platform designed to streamline contracts and payments for universities and teams. The technology solution makes it easier to manage the financial operations of tournaments while ensuring compliance with NCAA guidelines. By adopting the athlete contract and payment system, schools can strengthen their competitive edge and create more opportunities for athletes to maximize their potential both on and off the court.
Returning to Las Vegas November 24-27, the Players Era Championships are the premier college basketball showcases outside of March, with tournaments featuring over $20 million in guaranteed sponsor NIL activities for participating teams.
“The Players Era Men’s and Women’s Championships are more than your normal early-season tournaments; they represent the forefront of modern collegiate athletics,” said Austin Elrod, President and Founder of TheLinkU. “These tournaments have successfully redefined the athletic experience, and top programs nationwide have recognized their significance. This trailblazing event demonstrates that it’s possible to invest in athletes and support schools while delivering competitive, high-stakes basketball that captivates fans early in the season.”
Through its platform, TheLinkU will provide personalized support to programs throughout the championship as needed. This year’s stacked field features championship caliber teams from around the country including Tennessee, Rutgers, Baylor, Creighton, Kansas, Notre Dame, St. John’s, Iowa State, Houston, Syracuse, Oregon, Auburn, Alabama, Gonzaga, Michigan, San Diego State, Maryland, and UNLV on the men’s side, and Texas, UCLA, Duke, and South Carolina on the women’s side.
This renewed collaboration builds on the success of last year’s inaugural event and expands TheLinkU’s role beyond NIL compliance and deal management. In 2025, TheLinkU will also run on-site experiential marketing efforts and lead fundraising events to benefit the athletic departments of every school.
“Our goal has always been to put the players first to ensure they have an amazing experience and TheLinkU helps us deliver on that,” said Seth Berger, CEO of Players Era. “From drafting the contracts, contract execution, to athlete support, they handle the infrastructure so our teams and players can focus on competing on the court. TheLinkU’s expanded role this year also allows us to go even bigger in creating an unforgettable experience for all the universities involved.”
Players Era continues to push the frontier of what is possible in college athletics. With millions of dollars in NIL deals, high-stakes competition, and expanded fan and fundraising engagement, the event showcases how athletes, universities, and partners can all win.
“The Players Era Championship has quickly turned into the premier early-season non-conference tournament in all of college basketball,” University of Houston Head Coach Kelvin Sampson said. “Last season proved to be a ground-breaking opportunity for our student-athletes, not only on the court against elite competition but off the court in the NIL space. The tournament allows our guys to start setting up their next phase of life while still in school."
About TheLinkU
Founded in 2022 by Austin Elrod, TheLinkU is a pioneering NIL platform dedicated to simplifying and enhancing opportunities for college athletes and institutions. With a focus on integrity and compliance, TheLinkU offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to empower athletes and support colleges in navigating the evolving NIL landscape. For more information, visit www.thelinku.com
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