TCU Athletics just announced the launch of the LEAP Agency—an in-house operation meant to boost student-athlete name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities. This new initiative is supposed to help TCU stand out in the changing world of college sports.
LEAP offers a pretty broad approach to NIL operations, cap management, and student-athlete development. It’s a joint effort between Learfield, the Neeley School of Business Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and the Frog Club, stepping in after the Flying T Collective.
With this move, TCU is trying to stay sharp and competitive as revenue sharing and NIL rules keep shifting.
The Vision Behind the LEAP Agency
LEAP is set up to work a lot like a front office, acting as a one-stop shop for TCU student-athletes. The main focus areas are:
- Cap management
- NIL operations
- Student-athlete development
LEAP plans to work closely with coaches and staff. They’re tackling roster and cap management, plus they’re looking to grow above-the-cap NIL revenue streams.
Personal brand consulting for student-athletes is also part of the package. It’s a lot to juggle, but that’s the goal.
Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations
This agency is the result of several partnerships:
- Learfield
- The Neeley School of Business Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- The Frog Club
These partners bring in different strengths and resources. LEAP is betting that this mix will give student-athletes more support and better NIL management than they could get anywhere else.
Leadership and Key Personnel
LEAP’s led by a group of folks with a range of experience. The 10-person department includes:
- Ryan Peck – Senior Deputy Athletics Director for External Affairs/Revenue Generation
- Greg Featherston – Deputy Athletics Director, Regulatory Affairs
- Alex Yack – Deputy Athletics Director, Development
- Jay Fields – General Manager, Horned Frogs Sports Properties
- Ray Walls – Senior Associate Athletics Director, Student-Athlete Development
- Nick DiMento – Assistant AD for Cap Management and Contract Services
- Ali Hickey – NIL Partnership Solutions Manager, Horned Frogs Sports Properties
- Rodney D’Souza – Executive Director – Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation and Legacy Frogs
- Ryan Jaramillo – Assistant Director of Athletics Creative and NIL Content
- Kat Rogers – NIL and Cap Management Graduate Assistant
With this team, LEAP feels like it can handle pretty much every part of NIL and athlete development. That’s the plan, anyway.
Commitment to Revenue Sharing
TCU says it’s committed to fully funding the revenue share limit. LEAP is expected to play a big part in securing above-the-cap funding too.
Director of Athletics Mike Buddie put it this way: The experience at TCU is second-to-none, and we will continue to position ourselves as leaders in this wave of change.
Transition from the Flying T Collective
LEAP takes over from the Flying T Collective, which helped TCU get through the early NIL years. After the NCAA vs. House Settlement in June, schools can now pay revenue shares directly to student-athletes starting in July.
This shift has led a lot of universities to bring NIL work in-house, moving away from third-party collectives. Centralized operations seem to be the new trend.
Comparative Approaches in Collegiate Athletics
TCU isn’t alone in this strategy. Schools like Texas, Ohio State, and Texas Tech are also handling NIL efforts internally.
The thinking is that this approach gives them more control and helps build championship-level teams. It’s a bit of a gamble, but it’s one a lot of big programs are taking.
Upcoming TCU Athletics Events
On another note, TCU Athletics just shared the kickoff time and TV details for their upcoming Iowa State game. It’s set for November 8 at 2:30 pm CT on FOX.
TCU is coming off a 23-17 win over West Virginia, bumping their record to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the Big 12. Right now, the Frogs are tied for third in the conference—so things are getting interesting.
Historical Context and Recent Performance
Since joining the Big 12, TCU has a 6-6 record against Iowa State. The Cyclones took the last meeting in Ames back in 2023, beating the Frogs 27-14.
But at home in 2022, TCU really had their number, rolling to a wild 62-14 win. That year, the Frogs ended up playing in the CFB National Championship—pretty unforgettable, honestly.
This next game feels big for TCU. They’re looking to keep their edge in a tough Big 12 conference, and, well, every win counts.
For more info about the LEAP Agency and what it means for TCU Athletics, check out the official announcement.
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