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Chicago White Sox announce 2025 CHISOX Athlete NIL roster

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•04/22/25•

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Chicago White Sox announce 2025 CHISOX Athlete NIL roster
Photos courtesy of Chicago White Sox

With baseball season in full swing, the Chicago White Sox are diving back into the NIL game. The franchise announced this year’s roster of CHISOX Athletes.

The 2025 season marks the White Sox’ fourth year of the initiative, which puts a spotlight on athletes from the Chicago area through NIL deals. Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen and Michigan State guard Jeremy Fears Jr. are new to the CHISOX Athlete program along with Miami volleyball libero Anna McClure, Northwestern forward Nick Martinelli and Michigan cornerback Jyaire Hill.

Other newcomers include Western Michigan defenseman Zack Sharp, Minnesota dancer Maddy Vercelli, Western Michigan gymnast Hannah Milton and Creighton forward Owen Freeman. Saint Louis forward Robbie Avila, Indiana center Pat Coogan, Notre Dame midfielder Berkley Mensik and Minnesota hockey forward Abbey Murphy are among the players returning as CHISOX Athletes in 2025.

Through the program, athlete partners will receive branding opportunities across White Sox platforms, a professional photoshoot at a Chicagoland venue and custom gear. First-year CHISOX Athletes will also get to throw out the first pitch before a game and watch in a suite at Rate Field.

Robbie Avila back for Year 2 as CHISOX Athlete

Avila, who’s perhaps better known by his nickname “Cream Abdul-Jabbar,” was among the group to throw out a ceremonial first pitch during the 2024 season. A Southside Chicago native, he grew up a White Sox fan – not necessarily a requirement to be a CHISOX Athlete – and spoke with On3 about what it meant to step onto the mound for the moment for his pitch prior to a matchup between the White Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

“Having moments like this, being on a professional field like that with a crowd that you sat in and watched all the time, I’m just blessed,” Avila said while standing behind home plate prior to his pitch. “I’m ready to have some fun.”

Since the White Sox launched the CHISOX Athlete program in 2022, some notable names came aboard. It since resulted in an impressive list of alumni.

Former Notre Dame football standout Rylie Mills and former Illinois basketball star Terrence Shannon Jr. were part of the program, as were Ohio State receive Carnell Tate and Iowa guard Kylie Feuerbach. Feuerbach was part of the inaugural CHISOX Athlete class in 2022 and is preparing for her final season at Iowa in 2025-26.