NC State’s NIL collectives announce merger. Here’s what that means
N.C. State’s two name, image and likeness (NIL) collectives, Savage Wolves and Pack of Wolves, announced a merger Tuesday.
The two organizations combined to create One Pack NIL in an effort to support all N.C. State student-athletes.
Chris Vurnakes served as the general manager for Pack of Wolves NIL and transitioned into the same role for One Pack.
“Not only did both collectives want this merger, but we needed to do so for our supporters, student athletes, coaches and more,” Vurnakes told the News & Observer. He said the organizations worked on the merger for more than six months.
Men’s basketball coach Kevin Keatts expressed gratitude on Tuesday for NIL supporters, saying donors and the new initiative will only help the university.
“The folks at the collective, from what I’ve seen from a distance, have done a really good job not just for our basketball program but all of our sports,” Keatts said. “It’s a must-have. You’ve got to do it in today’s world.”
N.C. State Athletic Director Boo Corrigan also praised the merger, saying the move provides a unified effort and direction for student-athletes, supporters and other stakeholders.
“The creation of One Pack NIL will bring even more opportunities to our talented and deserving student-athletes,” Corrigan said in a statement. “Having all NIL opportunities under one roof will make it easier for supporters, fans, and alumni to learn about all the ways they can support Wolfpack student-athletes and help them succeed in this new era of collegiate athletics.”
Savage Wolves will operate under One Pack NIL, but its focus remains on supporting and developing partnerships for the Wolfpack football team. Tom Livolsi also remains in leadership over the Savage Wolves segment of the new collective.
“Savage Wolves, as part of the new One Pack NIL Collective, will continue to offer NC State football fans and supporters incredible access and unforgettable experiences,” Livolsi said in a statement. “There’s no other fan base in the country that is more deserving of success, and I think this is the opportunity for our fan base to be a part of it through NIL.”
Blueprint Sports, founded in 2020, will operate the new collective. It provides services like student-athlete tax assistance, marketing, merchandising and compliance. BPS works with multiple Power Five institutions, including Penn State, Boston College, Stanford and Villanova.
The N.C. State collective still features full-time staff members to facilitate daily operations and campaigns, including Vurnakes.
“This is an exciting day for me, as we work together to provide the best Collective in the country for our student athletes at NC State,” Vurnakes said in a release. “This combination of effort and resources will take us to a new level of NIL.”
The new collective includes a board of directors and advisory board. The board of directors will provide executive leadership and support over the collective, Vurnakes said.
The advisory board will provide resources, guidance and support in more specific instances. For example, the advisory board may work with specific sports, events or campaigns.
Reid Johnson, who works with Savage Wolves, moves over to the One Pack Board of Directors as its president.
The collective also announced Savage Wolves and Pack of Wolves members will transition to its new membership structure. Members and prospective members can find more information and send direct questions by visiting OnePackNIL.com, or on social media.
This story was originally published January 9, 2024 at 10:01 AM.
