Wisconsin-aligned The Varsity Collective releases podcasts

The Wisconsin-aligned NIL collective The Varsity Collective released this week the debut episode from one of its two recently announced podcasts. Former Wisconsin men’s basketball forward Sam Dekker hosts “Varsity Beat,” while married couple and former Badgers Joe and Annie Thomas host “Badger Bigs,” which released its debut episode last fall.

Joe Thomas is a former offensive lineman and Annie Thomas is a former basketball player.

“They interview and celebrate the supersize athlete,” The Varsity Collective Executive Chair Rob Master said in a previous phone interview.

Badger Bigs’ debut episode featured defensive lineman Keeanu Benton and former men’s basketball player Brian Butch.

“Through conversations covering sports, academics, off-field passions and life in general, Varsity Beat and Badger Bigs provide a unique NIL opportunity for Wisconsin student-athletes to earn and build their brand while offering fans an inside scoop on life for their favorite Badgers,” according to a press release.

The podcasts were created in partnership with Amaze Media Labs.

The first episode of Varsity Beat debuted Wednesday, featuring Wisconsin guard Connor Essegian and former guard Jordan Taylor.

Future guests on The Varsity Collective’s podcasts will include newly hired Wisconsin football coach Luke Fickell, men’s basketball forward Tyler Wahl, offensive lineman Jack Nelson, women’s volleyball player Devyn Robinson and former Badger and Olympic heptathlete Georgia Ellenwood.

Wisconsin athletes will have the opportunity to discuss topics such as their life on campus and charities that are important to them.

“We’re trying to create these opportunities for current student-athletes to connect with the Badger legends of the past,” Master said.

The Varsity Collective creates NIL opportunities for Wisconsin athletes

The Varsity Collective initially launched in June 2022 and then it relaunched in September. Master said The Varsity Collective is accessible to more than 800 athletes from all 23 of Wisconsin’s athletic programs.

“While certainly, football gets a lot of attention, we have an amazing women’s volleyball team…,” Master said. “We have a men’s basketball team who won the Big Ten last year and two of the last three years. We have a terrific cross-country (team). We have all these terrific teams. We have a women’s national championship hockey team.

“What our collective does is it empowers, whether it be donors or fans to engage with and support the sports that they’re interested in.”

Shortly after Wisconsin hired Fickell, The Varsity Collective held a Zoom call with Fickell, athletic director Chris McIntosh and Wisconsin supporters.

“He was literally, like, 36 hours in,” Master said.

In one creative activation, The Varsity Collective released bobbleheads for Allen, the running back.