BOONE, N.C. / BERWYN, Pa. (March 25, 2025) – App State Athletics and Playfly Sports, the leading revenue maximizer of the sports industry, today announced a multimedia rights agreement, marking a new era of innovation, collaboration, and growth for Mountaineers Athletics. This partnership will bring enhanced revenue opportunities, elevated fan engagement, and a revamped corporate sponsorship program to one of the most passionate collegiate fan bases in the country.
Through this agreement, Playfly will serve as the exclusive multimedia rights holder for App State Athletics, leveraging its industry-leading expertise to maximize commercial opportunities and further integrate brands into the Mountaineer experience. The long-term commitment will focus on elevating the university’s athletic brand by aligning with corporate partners, enhancing gameday activations, and providing student-athletes with new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities within the local and regional community.
“We are excited to partner with Playfly Sports to continue to enhance App State’s nationally prominent brand,” said Doug Gillin, App State Director of Athletics. “Playfly believes in our vision of comprehensive excellence. Its innovative approach, commitment to transparency and expertise in revenue generation align perfectly with our vision. Together, we will not only drive new financial opportunities but also enhance the experience for our student-athletes, fans and partners.”
A key focus of the agreement will be the modernization of App State’s corporate partnership program, unlocking new revenue streams and further investing in the long-term success of the department. Additionally, strategic capital improvement projects are planned to enhance the facilities and overall gameday experience for fans and student-athletes alike.
“We are proud to partner with App State Athletics in this long-term agreement and bring our expertise to such a dynamic and dedicated fan base,” said Christy Hedgpeth, President of Playfly Sports Properties. “Our shared vision is to take Mountaineers Athletics to new heights by delivering best-in-class sponsorship activations, increasing fan engagement, and creating impactful NIL opportunities that benefit both student-athletes and the broader App State community.”
As part of the partnership, Playfly will work closely with App State leadership to introduce uniquely designed NIL initiatives that empower student-athletes to connect with brands and businesses in a meaningful way, ultimately helping drive incremental revenue for the athletic department.
The collaboration between App State and Playfly builds on both organizations’ shared commitment to innovation and excellence, ensuring Mountaineers Athletics continues to thrive in the evolving collegiate sports landscape.
CONTACT:
Joey Jones
Senior Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communications
App State Athletics
(E) jonesj7@appstate.edu
Kyle Gurganious
Director, Marketing and Communications
Playfly Sports
(E) kyle.gurganious@playfly.com
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ABOUT APP STATE ATHLETICS
More than 400 student-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I varsity sports at Appalachian State University, and dedicated fans love to cheer them on. App State’s championship football team has enjoyed unprecedented success at the highest level of Division I (Football Bowl Subdivision) with a 7-1 bowl record and four Sun Belt Conference championships. The Mountaineers were a dominant force in the Southern Conference for more than 40 years before moving up in 2014. App State student-athletes in all sports pursue daily comprehensive excellence in academics, competition and community involvement. Fall 2024 marked the 25th straight semester with a cumulative GPA above 3.0 among student-athletes. All varsity teams compete in the Sun Belt Conference, except for field hockey (MAC) and wrestling (SoCon). For more, visit http://www.appstatesports.com.
ABOUT PLAYFLY SPORTS
Playfly Sports, the sports industry’s leading revenue maximization company drives growth for its partners across the sports ecosystem – including 2,000+ brands, 100+ professional teams, 65+ college athletic departments, all U.S. local sports networks and associated streaming platforms, and other marquee properties. Its fan engagement platform allows its partners to reach and engage over 85% of all U.S sports fans. Playfly builds and implements custom strategies across media, sponsorship, premium experiences, ticketing and fan engagement offerings through proprietary data, innovative technology and compelling storytelling. Playfly operates an expansive portfolio of services with a data-driven and fan-focused approach to maximize revenue yield in key growth areas, such as media, sponsorship, ticketing, premium experiences and fan engagement offerings. Founded in September of 2020, Playfly Sports is now home to approximately 1,000 team members located across 43 U.S. states and internationally dedicated to maximizing the impact of highly passionate local sports fans. The company has been named a Best Place to Work in Sports by Sports Business Journal, Front Office Sports, and Newsweek. To learn more, follow Playfly Sports on social media platforms or visit www.Playfly.com.
