Mainebiz

W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 13 J U N E 2 9 , 2 0 2 6 F O C U S H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N / P RO F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T C O N T I N U E D O N F O L L OW I N G PA G E » attire for internships and other educa- tional or living expenses. "ose opportunities are less about generating significant income and more about providing financial sup- port that helps students thrive both on and off the field," she says. An often-overlooked benefit of branding for student-athletes is the ability to tout their athletic experi- ence or achievements to market their services as paid coaches or trainers, Davis notes. As college sports becomes increas- ingly professionalized and competitive in top-tier schools, UNE busi- ness professor Aimee Vlachos sees a chance for smaller institutions to stand out. Vlachos says the revenue-shar- ing model reinforces the need to view athletics as part of a student's overall educational experience, with direct implications for programs like UNE's. "At UNE, success is not measured solely by wins and losses but also by preparing students for leader- ship, professional careers and lifelong engagement in sport and recreation," she says. "at mission may become an even stronger differentiator as college athletics become increasingly commercialized." New playbook As colleges in Maine and else- where adapt their NIL playbooks and courts test the limits of player pay, Glynn predicts the branding genera- tion will get younger and younger. "I already have stories of eight- year-olds that are getting hockey stick deals and tape deals and the whole nine yards. When we look at high school sports in five to 10 years, it's going to start to have the same impact that we're starting to see at the Power Conferences now." His client Cash McClure has more modest ambitions, like opening a gym with his girlfriend – a soccer player – for his youth camps and clinics. "We're hoping to one day build something together here she can run classes out of and I could do basketball stuff," he says. "at's the ultimate goal." RENEE CORDES, Mainebiz deputy editor, can be reached at RCORDES @ maiNEBiz.Biz Maine needs people ready for what's next. The University of Maine at Augusta provides flexible education designed for real life, helping working adults, career changers, veterans, parents, transfer students, and learners across Maine move forward. UMA helps them get there. Learn more at uma.edu As college sports become increasingly professionalized, University of New England business professor Aimee Vlachos sees a chance for smaller schools to stand out. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY

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