NIL is a huge part of college athletics these days, and one team that needs to be able to take advantage is Michigan football. The Wolverines are coming off of a national championship and they have one of the biggest brands in college football. We found out that Michigan was working to better their NIL game earlier this offseason by partnering with Altius Sports and creating a GM position, and it was announced on Thursday that NFLPA exec Terése Whitehead will be the Executive GM.
This is big news for Michigan football and Wolverines athletics in general. Terése Whitehead obviously has experience around the game of football working with the NFL, and she should be able to do a good job helping the school with utilizing NIL in the best way.
“Terése's addition to our team marks a pivotal moment for Michigan Athletics, and I am excited to partner with her,” Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel said, according to an article from the school. “Terése is a perfect fit and uniquely qualified to lead U-M's strategy thanks to her impressive sports background in marketing, licensing, brand development, and partnerships and her experience across agency, league, and team settings to tailor tremendous revenue-generating opportunities for teams and individual athletes. Through this joint venture with Altius Sports Partners, I am confident that Terése will quickly navigate the shifting NIL landscape to empower and positively position our student-athletes.”
Terése Whitehead is a Michigan alum
Not only is Whitehead a good fit because of her football background, but she is also a Michigan alum. Whitehead graduated from the school in 1999, and now she is returning to the Wolverines to help with their NIL.
“Returning to the University of Michigan feels like a homecoming where my passion for sports and advocacy began,” Whitehead said. “My entire sports marketing journey has equipped me with invaluable experience, particularly in leveraging the individual and group NIL rights of professional athletes. Now, alongside Altius Sports Partners, I'm eager to apply that insight to empower U-M athletes in navigating the evolving landscape of NIL. Our goal is clear: support every stakeholder, elevate Michigan's NIL initiatives, and shape futures both on and off the field. I'm committed to making a lasting impact, ensuring every Wolverine student-athlete feels supported, informed, and empowered to seize opportunities ahead.”
Partnering with Altius Sports and creating this GM position should be huge for Michigan football. The Wolverines have the capability to be a leader in the NIL era. President of ASP College at Altius Sports Andrew Donovan is confident that Whitehead is a good fit for this role.
“Terése's extensive experience as an industry leader, combined with her unique insights, brings unmatched expertise to the dynamic world of college athletics,” Donovan said. “The University of Michigan stands to gain significantly from her qualifications. We're excited to welcome Terése as she spearheads efforts to empower Wolverine athletes in maximizing their NIL potential and enhancing their overall experience.”
This partnership was a smart move by Michigan, and it sounds like they found the right person for the job.
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