Sports

Jay-Z, Roc Nation Broadening Horizons Into College Baseball With Latest NIL Signing Of South Carolina’s Michael Braswell

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  • Roc Nation, founded by rapper Jay-Z, is signing college athletes around the country to NIL deals
  • They’ve widened their footprint by diving into college baseball over the last few months
  • Read more sports news here

Roc Nation has operated as one of the world’s premiere music and entertainment platforms since 2008. The company works in a variety of different ways for musicians, artists, and producers through its label, management team, publishers, and distributors.

Oh, and they also have an online clothing store that not only offers awesome swag, but it helps promote both local designers and social change throughout the US.

As of this posting, Roc Nation boasts a huge social media presence with a combined 1.7 billion followers on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. They recently entered a partnership with the NFL. Some of the company’s clients include Rhianna, Alicia Keys, Big Sean, and J. Cole. In just over a decade, it’s become one of the biggest players in the industry.

Its popularity is no surprise. After all, Roc Nation’s founder is Jay-Z.

Now, though, the team is breaking into the world of sports. A subdivision was introduced in 2013 for just that reason.

For nearly a decade, Roc Nation Sports has been advocating for athletes. The brand looks to elevate careers both on and off the field through marketing, endorsements, charitable outreach, and media relations.

Their list of clients includes not only involvement in US sports football, basketball, and baseball but also with international sports like soccer, rugby, and cricket.

Now that the NCAA has entered the world of NIL, Roc Nation Sports is continuing to broaden horizons, finding ways to grow the brand and image of college athletes.

Roc Nation Sliding Into College Baseball With Most Recent Signing

As expected, the company began with football and basketball. Those are the two most recognizable and most profitable sports in the country. But they’ve continued to expand their footprint, now making a mark in the lesser promoted sport of baseball.

Over the weekend, Roc Nation Sports announced a partnership with South Carolina freshman Michael Braswell. It’s been a good week for Gamecock athletes with Spencer Rattler signing a $30,000 NIL deal earlier this week, too.

Braswell becomes the fourth college baseball player to partner with the company.

Braswell was rated as a top 100 player coming out of the high school ranks and despite having played in just seven games at the college level, he’s already making a name for himself with the Gamecocks.

The shortstop got the game-winning hit in his third career game to help South Carolina clinch their opening series against UNC Wilmington. He picked up SEC Freshman of the Week honors following his first weekend of action.

Braswell is currently hitting .429 with a double, a triple, a home run, and eight RBIs. He’s recorded a hit in every game played so far.

Oh, and did we mention he also pitches?

In two appearances, the righty has thrown 1.2 scoreless innings, picking up a win and a save in the process. He’s struck out all five batters he’s faced.

Should he continue this type of production over his next three seasons of college ball, the MLB scouts are sure to come knocking. This recent partnership with Roc Nation Sports will only help Braswell find opportunities to increase his brand and image at the amateur level, which he can hopefully buoy into lucrative career as a professional.