South Carolina's NIL collective Garnet Trust partners with Sniper Golf Balls

NIL collectives continue to search for new ways to drive revenue back to athletes.

Some have turned towards creating signature alcohol and beer. Others have invested in unique experiences for fans.

The South Carolina-driven NIL collective Garnet Trust has partnered with Sniper Golf Balls to create the “Garnet Trust Golf Collection.” Turning to golf balls as an outside revenue source allows for the collective to have the product around courses and pro shops around the state.

“Obviously, all that remains to be seen on sales,” Garnet Trust operations director Jeremy Smith told On3 in a phone interview on Wednesday. “But I think Clint [Peters] has a fantastic product, and if we do our part in promoting it and getting it into the local market, I think it could bring a very sizeable jolt into our need for sustainable opportunities. The company has been very gracious and offered us a fantastic amount per dozen sold.

“So we believe that if the fans can get behind it, the golf ball performs like it is supposed to, then we’re going to benefit very strongly.”

As part of the agreement, for every dozen balls sold Garnet Trust will pocket $10 for athletes. The South Carolina-themed Sniper Tour OptiX pack is priced at $39.99. Sniper apparel with the Garnet Trust logo is on sale, along with a custom golf ball cigar holder.

Two types of balls have been released. The white ball features the Sniper and Garnet Trust logos. There will be a garnet-colored ball, too, with black markings.

The funds will be spread across all needs for the collective, but one big focus begins in nearly five weeks. The transfer portal is slated to open on Dec. 4, amplifying the need to assist South Carolina football. Collectives have become key in attracting and retaining talent.

Garnet Trust is the official NIL collective of South Carolina athletics through a partnership with Learfield.

South Carolina latest collective to use Sniper

Clint Peters, who runs Sniper, is based in Iowa. A long-time Iowa State fan, this isn’t the first time his golf balls have been used by a NIL collective to create a revenue stream. The We Will Collective, which is focused on the Cyclones, recently launched a golf ball collective with Sniper, too. The balls come in white, cardinal and yellow.

Peters believes his product could turn into a long-term win for the collectives, providing a new type of revenue stream. And unlike alcohol sales, golf balls can be sent all across the world. The Garnet Trust and We Will collectives could find success through online orders, too.

“The difference really, other than the alcohol versus a sports product, obviously, but we can send golf balls all over the country, easily by mail,” he said. “So if there’s somebody who wants to support by purchasing, we can send it to any state where a lot of times with alcohol, depending on the state or whatever it is, we may or may not be all right. So it may broaden the footprint of alumni and different people across the country who may wish to buy from us because they know it’s supporting South Carolina.”