STARKVILLE – MSU Athletics announced that The Bulldog Initiative has been named the Official Collective of Mississippi State Athletics. This strategic sponsorship executed through LEARFIELD’s Bulldog Sports Properties will ensure Mississippi State student-athletes further capitalize on their name, image, and likeness opportunities.
The Bulldog Initiative was created with the goal of helping MSU student-athletes promote the university and surrounding area through NIL opportunities. Its mission is three-fold: create name, image, and likeness opportunities for Mississippi State student-athletes; engage and empower Mississippi State student-athletes to succeed in the community; and be a leader nationally in today’s ever-changing intercollegiate athletics landscape. The Bulldog Initiative was founded by alumnus Charlie Winfield.
“It takes a village, and I want to thank Charlie and all the great Bulldog Initiative supporters for their impact on our student-athletes and community,” Mississippi State Director of Athletics Zac Selmon said. “This is our chance to meet the moment and play an active role in shaping the future of Mississippi State Athletics. Together, and through our action, we can affirm that State has the best fan base in the most dominant athletic conference in the country.”
The Bulldog Initiative has been active in the Mississippi community through events like last December when 22 Starkville-area children enjoyed a Christmas shopping spree with members of the football team. Earlier this month, members of the men’s and women’s basketball teams visited a group of students to promote reading and kickoff a year-long effort to support the fight for literacy in conjunction with partner organization, Coaching for Literacy.
“I’m proud of the work we’ve done to positively impact this great university and athletic department,” said Winfield. “I want to thank the countless friends, colleagues, and partners who have supported The Bulldog Initiative, and I also want to thank Zac Selmon and his team for their leadership in this new world of collegiate athletics. This is a great day to be a Bulldog. Today’s partnership announcement marks the first of a new series of initiatives to come, and I hope our passionate fans will join us in this worthy pursuit.”
Bulldog Sports Properties, which manages the corporate partnerships and multimedia rights for Mississippi State Athletics, facilitated the partnership and will leverage athletic department assets, including use of marks and logos, in-venue activations, and integrations with new and existing corporate partners, to help connect The Bulldog Initiative to MSU fans.
“As college athletics has evolved with NIL opportunities, The Bulldog Initiative provides Bulldog fans, supporters and partners an opportunity to make a direct impact on the student- athletes,” said Ann Brett Gillespie Strickland, General Manager of Bulldog Sports Properties. “The Bulldog Sports Properties team is looking forward to working with The Bulldog Initiative on opportunities to highlight and support the growth of the brands of our Mississippi State athletes.”
Fans can support Mississippi State student-athletes by joining The Bulldog Initiative with a one-time or monthly contribution at www.bulldoginitiative.com.
About LEARFIELD
LEARFIELD is the leading media and technology company powering intercollegiate athletics. The company unlocks the value of college sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform with innovative content and commerce solutions. LEARFIELD services include trademark licensing and branding; collegiate sports properties’ multimedia sponsorship management; NIL solutions; publishing, audio, digital and social media; data analytics and insights; ticketing software; and ticket sales, premium seating, and fundraising services; campus-wide business and sponsorship development. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for NACDA’s acclaimed LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, recognizing athletic departments across all divisions.