K-State has made a pretty big move to strengthen its athletics department. They’ve announced three new staff members focused on revenue sharing contracts and third-party Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) efforts.
This push, led by Athletics Director Gene Taylor, is meant to streamline the department’s NIL work. The goal? Make it easier for fans and businesses to support Wildcat student-athletes in real, tangible ways.
Julie Owen comes in as the executive director of cap management and revenue sharing. Brett Foltz will serve as associate athletics director for NIL initiatives and strategic revenue. There’s also an assistant director of NIL on the way—hiring soon.
It’s clear K-State wants to stay ahead in the ever-shifting world of college athletics.
Julie Owen: Leading Revenue Sharing and NIL Coordination
Julie Owen is back in the department after previously serving as a senior associate athletics director. Now, as executive director of cap management and revenue sharing, she’s got a full plate:
- Coordinating with coaches and general managers on how revenue sharing funds get allocated and distributed.
- Navigating contract construction and handling the nitty-gritty of redlining.
- Overseeing third-party NIL deal submissions—working with Learfield, outside entities, and student-athletes.
- Serving as the liaison to the College Sports Commission on pending NIL Go submissions.
Owen’s job is all about making sure the revenue sharing and NIL processes actually work for everyone involved.
Brett Foltz: Driving Third-Party NIL Initiatives
Brett Foltz has been working with the Ahearn Fund in fundraising and now steps into the role of associate athletics director for NIL initiatives and strategic revenue. His main tasks?
- Identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding third parties for NIL and business development leads.
- Collaborating with K-State Sports Properties and the department to find new revenue and business opportunities.
Foltz’s work is pretty important for building up K-State’s third-party NIL efforts, which matter a lot for recruiting and keeping top student-athletes.
Assistant Director of NIL: A Key Support Role
The department’s also looking to hire an assistant director of NIL. This person will support Foltz and work closely with K-State Sports Properties (Learfield) to handle NIL brand partnerships.
It’s a hands-on role that’ll help make sure NIL strategies are actually carried out and don’t just sit on paper.
Proactive Approach to Evolving College Athletics
Gene Taylor has made it clear that being proactive is crucial in today’s college athletics scene. By keeping NIL initiatives under one roof, K-State wants to:
- Streamline messaging so fans know how to support their teams and student-athletes best.
- Leverage opportunities for student-athletes to earn real third-party NIL deals with businesses.
*The above-the-cap NIL space must be a focus of ours moving forward, and we know these staff advancements will put us in a position to help our student-athletes,* Taylor said.
Supporting K-State’s Revenue Sharing and NIL Initiatives
If you want to help out with K-State’s revenue sharing and NIL efforts, there are a few ways to get involved:
- The Ahearn Fund’s Fighting Ever Fighting campaign is built on gifts to the Ahearn Excellence Fund. Donors can earn priority points, Ahearn Fund member perks, and maybe even a tax deduction.
- K-State’s also rolling out Cats+ soon. It’s a subscription-based service where fans can directly support student-athletes and get perks like behind-the-scenes access, exclusive content, early access to digital stuff, classic game replays, and sweepstakes for cool experiences and products.
Engaging with Businesses for Third-Party NIL Deals
Businesses interested in making direct third-party NIL deals with Wildcat student-athletes can reach out to Brett Foltz via email. This is all about building real partnerships between student-athletes and businesses that actually benefit both sides.
A Bright Future for K-State Athletics
K-State keeps shaking things up to keep pace with the wild world of college athletics. With new staff joining the team and fresh ideas like the Fighting Ever Fighting campaign and the Cats+ subscription, the department’s aiming for something that lasts.
They’re putting a real emphasis on revenue sharing and NIL efforts. It’s all about making sure student-athletes have what they need to thrive, whether they’re on the field or figuring out life beyond it.
If you’re curious about the latest staff moves or want to dig into these new projects, check out the full article at the JC Post.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
