MSU announces Spartan Ventures to raise NIL dollars for its student athletes

EAST LANSING, MI — The money train is revving up for student athletes at Michigan State University. At Friday morning’s public meeting, MSU’s Board of Trustees authorized MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz to enter into an “affiliation agreement” with a new non-profit, tax-exempt corporation called Spartan Ventures. The new entity is designed to advance, promote and support MSU’s department of athletics and funnel money to student athletes, according to a press release.

“The establishment of Spartan Ventures modernizes Michigan State Athletics and demonstrates the department’s commitment to operating on the leading edge of the new landscape of college athletics,” the school says. “It will strengthen MSU Athletics’ long-term competitiveness, expand opportunities for student-athletes, and increase innovation in how the university engages with fans, partners and communities.”

Spartan Ventures, and its subsidiary non-profit, tax-exempt corporation Spartan Athletics Foundation, will support NIL opportunities for student-athletes, and establish a more focused approach to fundraising, enhancing a first-class experience for student-athletes, donors and external partners, the school says.