Tar Heel student-athletes from all 28 sports poured into the Blue Zone to meet, connect, create and work with local businesses at Wednesday's (Oct. 23) Carolina NIL Social—an event that helps bring NIL opportunities for all. 

More than 40 businesses set up tables to discuss opportunities with Carolina's student-athletes, looking to enhance brands through partnerships, deals and ideas with their Name, Image and Likeness. 

"We are excited to have really cool businesses meet our amazing student-athletes and make sure that we have NIL opportunities for everyone," said Assistant AD for NIL and Leadership Services Kara Cannizzaro. "Everyone at the NIL Social is able to interact, share their stories and make connections to hopefully promote their brand and work with local partners." 

From designing their own t-shirts and other gear with AthletesThread, to discussing how to leverage corporate partnerships with Learfield, to sampling smoothies and healthy treats from Playa Bowls, there was a business or brand for every student-athlete to connect with while in attendance. 

One local partner, Alex Brandwein, who owns and operates Brandwein's Bagels in Chapel Hill, embodies the 'NIL for Everyone' concept — and loves to work with student-athletes across all sports. 

"UNC and UNC student-athletes are so important to this community and when NIL came about we wanted to thank the athletes for everything that they do," said Brandwein. "We want to give something to everyone, so any UNC student-athlete can be a part of Team Brandwein through their NIL. We know this is a big deal and we want to be a friendly face to shout them out." 

During the evening, Brandwein was seen interacting, laughing and connecting with student-athletes, sharing stories and experiences. 

"I've been dabbling in the NIL world," said swimmer Skyler Smith at the Social. "I've definitely been able to find some cool products and be able to be part of their teams, and events like this have been so amazing for me to find out what I can do, especially as a swimmer and see what opportunities we have as Olympic sport athletes." 

Representatives from Old Well Management, NC Hall of Fame and the Carolina NIL team were on hand to answer questions, guide student-athletes and work with local partners to ensure that everyone participating understood and was prepared for the NIL space moving forward. 

Bubba Cunningham, Director of Athletics at Carolina, also stopped by to greet businesses, partners and talk to student-athletes about NIL and the changing landscape of college athletics. 

"Here at Carolina we're trying to embody 'NIL for Everyone,'" Cannizaro said at the end of a very successful evening. "We want to continue to provide opportunities that athletes can take advantage of while exploring the NIL space and help support them while they're on this journey." 

To learn more about Carolina NIL, visit carolinanil.com or @unc_nil on social media for up-to-date information. 

Questions about NIL at Carolina? Email uncnil@unc.edu