Michigan NIL collective Champions Circle debuts Champ Media

Champions Circle, the leading Michigan athletics collective, has unveiled another groundbreaking initiative in the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era: Champ Media, a first-of-its-kind athlete-driven media network designed to connect fans and players while creating new opportunities for sponsorships and storytelling.

The platform, launched in partnership with The College Sports Company, marks another step in Michigan’s proactive approach to NIL, positioning the Wolverines as leaders in the space.

Press Release: Champions Circle® and College Sports Co Launch ‘Champ Media’

According to the press release, Champ Media will “highlight authentic content and storytelling” through original programming, short-form video, and digital distribution across multiple platforms.

“Michigan student-athletes possess a powerful platform to build their brands while engaging with fans before, during, and after their time in Ann Arbor,” Ian Bunting, Agency Director of Champions Circle, stated in the release. “We are excited to build on our existing work within the athlete content creation and storytelling space with one of the leaders in the industry in College Sports Co.”

A new NIL landscape

The announcement comes shortly after new guidelines allowed collectives to operate as business entities, effectively serving as third-party NIL partners. That ruling has reshaped the college athletics ecosystem, giving programs with organized and innovative collectives a competitive edge.

Michigan appears well-prepared for this “new world.” From the early days of NIL, Champions Circle has positioned itself as more than a traditional fundraising outlet, emphasizing fan engagement, unique experiences, and athlete-first initiatives. Champ Media is the latest example of how the Wolverines are leveraging creativity and infrastructure to stay ahead.

Content designed by athletes

The network will debut with four shows, each providing a different lens into Michigan athletics. The lineup includes The LAB, a weekly sports and culture show hosted by media personality Ben Lyons; The Team, an unfiltered behind-the-scenes program led by Michigan quarterback Mikey Keene; Hail to Her, spotlighting women’s athletics and hosted by former lacrosse standout Haley Polk; and The Social Series, a fast-paced, trend-driven platform featuring athlete-creator Angelnae Randelle.

“Champ Media will make a massive impact on student-athletes and fans in the Ann Arbor community,” Adam Breneman, Co-Founder of The College Sports Company, said in the press release. “This is exactly why we built College Sports Co — to help organizations like Champions Circle unlock the full potential of athlete-driven media.”

Innovation for the future

By combining entertainment and fundraising, Champ Media offers a blueprint for the next phase of NIL collectives nationwide. It allows Michigan athletes to grow their personal brands, brands to find authentic partnerships, and fans to engage with the program on a deeper level.

For a program that has often set the pace in the NIL arms race, the launch of Champ Media signals that Michigan is not just adapting to the evolving rules — it is actively shaping the playbook.