Minnesota Golden Gophers Land NIL Travel Program With Sun Country

Sun Country Airlines partners with the Minnesota Golden Gophers for groundbreaking NIL program, offering travel vouchers to student-athletes across 22 varsity sports.

Dec 21, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers guard Lu'Cye Patterson (25) works around Fairleigh Dickinson Knights guard Brayden Reynolds (24) during the first half at Williams Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Sun Country Airlines has elevated its partnership with the Minnesota Golden Gophers to unprecedented heights, unveiling a groundbreaking NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) program that positions the airline as a trailblazer in college sports sponsorships. The new initiative offers student-athletes from all 22 Gopher varsity programs travel vouchers in exchange for promoting Sun Country Airlines on social media, a more than equitable trade.

“This is another positive collaboration between Gopher Sports Properties, Dinkytown Athletes and Sun Country Airlines which will directly benefit our University of Minnesota student-athletes,” said Minnesota Senior Associate AD for NIL Jeremiah Carter in a press release. “We are pleased and grateful that Sun Country Airlines recognizes the brand power and reach of Gopher student-athletes and chooses to partner with them to amplify their business.”

The travel vouchers provided by Sun Country Airlines offer something greater than novelty or convenience—they are a valuable recruiting tool in a hyper-competitive college athletics landscape. With 116 routes and access to destinations across the U.S., Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the Caribbean, these vouchers could entice not only to current Gophers but also to potential recruits.

In the NIL era where programs are constantly looking for ways to gain an edge, perks like free travel are likely to resonate with high school prospects and transfer portal athletes alike, especially those coming from outside the state of Minnesota. The ability to visit family, travel home during holidays, or simply explore new destinations can be a massive draw for athletes weighing their options.

Sun Country Airlines Chief Marketing Officer Brian Davis expressed the airline’s enthusiasm for the expanded partnership. “Sun Country Airlines is excited to be ‘on the road’ with Gopher Athletics and expand our longstanding partnership,” Davis said. “It’s a privilege to fly our University of Minnesota teams around the U.S. to represent Minnesota and connect athletes, their families, and fans with memorable game-day experiences.”

This NIL opportunity positions Minnesota as a forward-thinking program that prioritizes the personal and professional growth of its athletes. By tying NIL directly to meaningful perks like travel, the Gophers create a holistic pitch for recruits: world-class competition in the Big Ten, access to elite facilities, and innovative NIL opportunities that enhance quality of life both on and off the field. Programs across the country are now vying for ways to differentiate themselves, and initiatives like this one give Minnesota an edge in recruiting battles that extend well beyond the Midwest.

By leveraging the resources of a trusted local partner like Sun Country, the Gophers showcase their commitment to providing athletes with opportunities that extend beyond the playing field. In a landscape where everyone is vying for a leg up, initiatives like these could be game-changers in attracting top talent and solidifying Minnesota’s place as a leader in the NIL era.