South Carolina's Garnet Trust NIL collective launches 1801 Media network

The South Carolina-driven NIL collective Garnet Trust has launched a new entity to drive dollars to athletes.

The NIL collective announced Tuesday the formation of 1801 Media through a partnership with The College Sports Company and NOCAP Sports. The network will drive dollars to athletes and create revenue without relying on booster donations.

The media company has already generated more than six figures in committed revenue intending to reach $1 million in revenue in Year One. College Sports Company will produce content for the school, handling media operations and talent. NOCAP will bring its sales infrastructure and experience with sports sponsorships and NIL to help bring in new revenue for South Carolina athletes.

“This partnership with College Sports Co. and NOCAP Sports will take South Carolina’s NIL efforts to the next level,” Garnet Trust director of operations Jeremy Smith said. “1801 Media is a game-changer in terms of how we support our athletes, offering them the tools needed to succeed in NIL.”

The Louisville NIL collective 502 Circle recently launched Floyd Street Media. The athlete-driven media networks center around creating exclusive content for fans and boosters. South Carolina’s 1801 Media will feature all sports, specifically focused on football and basketball.

Garnet Trust was one of the first-ever NIL collectives to launch after July 2021. The organization has raised substantial dollars and signed more than 160 athletes. Of that number, 35% have been female athletes. 

“1801 Media creates a new and innovative way for brands to engage the community, fanbase, and student body,” NOCAP Sports CEO Nicholas Lord said. “Through 1801, brands will now be able to support the athletes and their success, while driving a real return on their marketing investment for their businesses. We’re bringing brands to the forefront of the fanbase.”