The University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications has teamed up with the school’s NIL collective, Florida Victorious. This partnership, which includes a $20,000 payment to the journalism school this year, is designed to open up new opportunities for students while offering services to Florida Victorious and its athletes.
The project is called Two Bits Creative. It’s the first program of its kind at UF, blending student talent with the fast-paced world of sports marketing and media production. Let’s dig into how the program works and what it might mean for the future of sports journalism and NIL deals.
The Structure of the Partnership
The agreement between UF’s College of Journalism and Communications and Florida Victorious is set up to benefit both sides. The journalism school gets a monthly retainer of $1,666.67, which goes toward managing a team of student interns.
These interns include a graphic designer, videographer, and video editors. They’ll hold office hours at Florida Victorious and take part in events that get the green light.
Financial Incentives and Commissions
There’s more than just the monthly retainer. The school can also earn a 3% commission on any third-party deals it helps broker for Florida Victorious. That’s a pretty strong nudge for the school to chase down even more NIL opportunities.
Two Bits Creative: A Unique Student Agency
Two Bits Creative takes its name from a classic Gators football cheer. It’s the in-house agency born from this partnership, made up of 24 students who were picked from over 50 applicants.
These students work under Florida Victorious’s direction, creating content for the collective and its athletes. It’s a hands-on gig, for sure.
Student Involvement and Course Credit
Students in Two Bits Creative get course credit for their work, but there’s no paycheck—at least not yet. Robert Judin, the UF lecturer running the show, is hoping to change that down the line.
If students want to stick around, they can reapply for more semesters and rack up additional course credits. Student-athletes aren’t allowed to join right now due to conflict of interest concerns, though there’s talk of maybe letting non-scholarship walk-ons in the future.
The Role of Robert Judin
Robert Judin joined UF’s faculty in 2023 and is the main force behind Two Bits Creative. He’s got a solid background in sports marketing and creative media.
Judin’s resume includes director of marketing and creative media at The Draft Network and stints as a graphic designer at Oregon State and Miami’s athletic departments.
Judin’s Vision and Experience
Judin says his own tough experiences breaking into sports marketing inspired Two Bits Creative. He wants students to walk away with real proof of their abilities—something that’ll help them land jobs at places like the New York Giants or CAA.
He’s also hoping to eventually secure funding so students can get paid for their work. That’s the dream, anyway.
Challenges and Future Prospects
The partnership between the journalism school and Florida Victorious looks promising, but it’s not without bumps. Judin first pitched his idea to the University Athletic Association, but they passed.
Still, his persistence paid off when Florida Victorious came on board. It’s not always easy getting these things off the ground.
Potential Conflicts and Solutions
One big concern is the possibility of conflicts of interest if student-athletes join the program. Judin is mulling over letting some non-scholarship walk-ons participate if they’re truly interested in sports media, but it’s a tricky balance.
And, of course, the lack of financial compensation for students is a sticking point. Judin really wants to fix that as soon as he can.
Impact on Sports Journalism and NIL Deals
Two Bits Creative is a bold step in connecting academic programs with NIL opportunities. By letting students dive into real-world projects, the program gives them hands-on experience that could help them down the road.
Benefits for Students and the Collective
Students pick up practical skills in graphic design, videography, and video editing. Florida Victorious, meanwhile, gets well-crafted content and help with tracking social sentiment.
This relationship is a win-win. Students get valuable experience, and the collective boosts its marketing game. Not a bad setup, honestly.
Conclusion
The partnership between the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications and Florida Victorious is something new. It might even shake up how we think about sports journalism and NIL deals.
With Two Bits Creative, students get to try their hand at real projects. They’re building skills and picking up experience that’s tough to find elsewhere.
The collective gets fresh ideas and energy from these students. There’s a sense that this could be the start of something bigger, but who really knows?
Curious to learn more? Check out the details in the Sportico article.
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