How Battles End collective sent Florida State's Trey Benson, Jordan Travis to the Super Bowl

At 9:13 p.m. on Saturday, the Florida State-focused NIL collective The Battles End took to Twitter. Started in early December, the organization has picked up national attention for its role in roster retention in Tallahassee.

The collective had received its first substantial outside donation. And along with it, two of the most recognizable Seminole football players – Trey Benson and Jordan Travis – would be attending Sunday night’s Super Bowl in Phoenix.

The announcement was unique for the NIL space. While creativity has come out in some campaigns, the main focus for collectives been on securing deals for athletes. Benson and Travis had signed with the collective, and they were given access to a once-in-a-lifetime experience, thanks to The Battles End. But how it came together included a major donation and coordination.

“We didn’t get a million dollars for this, but we got more than half [in a donation],” collective president Ingram Smith told On3 on Monday. “It was a great fundraiser for us as well. … That was a donation for this donor be to able to take Jordan and Trey, with his family, to the Super Bowl.”

While Smith opted not to get into specifics, he said The Battles End approached the donor with another Florida State group about the opportunity. Benson and Travis flew on the donor’s private plane to Arizona for the game. Smith said the experiential trip was built into the athlete’s relationship with the organization.

The experience did not stop with the game. Smith said the athletes had the opportunity to meet with a multiple Florida State alums, including Derwin James. The collective tried to send apparel for the athletes to wear to the game, but it was held up in customs.

“Awesome experience for the donor,” Smith said. “I wasn’t there, but we had another member of our team – a guy that’s not one for hyperbole – who described Jordan and Trey as basically kids on Christmas morning walking into that plane. That’s the first time that’s ever happened to them. And they were blown away, by not just going to the game but flying private – just a whole new world.

“We’ll do other things, and we’ll figure out new avenues to to fulfill experiences. But this was one of the cooler things that we’ve done. And it’s surreal. Just a 360-win. Great for the kids to have that experience, great for us to get the exposure and and the money. And you know, that donor is going to have an experience for his kids; it will never be replicated in 1,000 years.”

The trip provided Benson and Travis with a memorable night, but it was also an opportunity to bond with the Battles End member and their family.

In the three months since its launch, The Battles End has secured backing from multiple Seminoles boosters and local businesses. Across the NIL collectives landscape, the race is to stockpile the most cash to distribute to current players so recruits know what they can make once they enroll. The same methodology rings true when making sure players do not enter the transfer portal. Ensuring an athlete’s NIL needs are satisfied plays a major role in their future plans.

Before the start of the portal’s open window period in early December, most of the FSU roster had signed with the The Battles End. Similar partnerships have been announced with incoming transfers and early enrollees, including South Carolina transfer Jaheim Bell and Virginia transfer Fentrell Cypress.

The Florida State fan base has taken notice. The collective already has more than 10,000 followers on Twitter and more than 1,500 on Instagram.

Sending Benson and Travis to the Super Bowl is another reminder of what The Battles End is trying to achieve.

“It furthers our vision and our own internal expectation to be one of the best players in the space,” Smith said. “I mean, back when we launched, I said we’re not going to be silly but we’re going to be as competitive as anybody in the country when it comes to this. And I think our three-month track record – three months is not a ton of time, but I think we made good on that promise.”