MIAMI & HOUSTON -- TheLinkU, the leading NIL and revenue optimization platform in college sports, today announced a strategic partnership with FIU Athletics to strengthen revenue generation, expand business engagement, and deliver long-term financial sustainability for Panther Athletics. The partnership will enhance FIU's ability to support its student-athletes and coaches, while creating immediate opportunities for brands, donors, and local businesses to engage directly with Panther Athletics through TheLinkU's streamlined partnership platform. By combining innovation with strategic execution, FIU and TheLinkU aim to build a sustainable growth model that reduces overall costs, diversifies funding, and empowers FIU to compete at the highest level while driving measurable returns for its partners and donors.
 
"FIU embodies the innovation, ambition, and momentum defining the next generation of college athletics," said Austin Elrod, founder and CEO of TheLinkU. "Scott Carr and his staff understand that innovation and sustainability go hand in hand, and that's exactly where TheLinkU can make an impact. Through our platform, FIU will optimize spending, and unlock new revenue opportunities across Panther Athletics. By enhancing donor and partner engagement, we're helping FIU drive revenue while fueling sustainable growth. We're proud to team up with an institution that's setting the standard for what's next in college sports."
 
TheLinkU will open new revenue channels by connecting FIU with their  nationwide portfolio of more than 30 corporate partners spanning technology, finance, apparel, and consumer goods. FIU Athletics will implement TheLinkU's full suite of revenue-generation services to strengthen its financial infrastructure and generate revenue for its student-athletes. The partnership improves cost efficiency, and attracts new brand and donor partnerships available exclusively to TheLinkU's network of partners.
 
"We're constantly looking for ways to grow revenue, support our student-athletes, and strengthen our connection to the South Florida community without adding cost, said Scott Carr, FIU Athletics Director. "Partnering with TheLinkU helps us tackle that challenge head-on by opening previously untapped networks to ensure that every dollar we generate goes further for our programs."
 
Businesses and brands looking to explore partnership opportunities with FIU Athletics should contact Erik Cisernos, at erik@thelinku.com for more information. TheLinkU works with colleges and athletic programs nationwide to diversify revenue opportunities while protecting the interests of athletes, institutions, and the business community. To learn more, visit www.thelinku.com.
 
About TheLinkU
Founded in 2022 by Austin Elrod, TheLinkU is a pioneering NIL platform dedicated to simplifying and enhancing opportunities for college athletes and institutions. With a focus on integrity and compliance, TheLinkU offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to empower athletes and support colleges in navigating the evolving NIL landscape. For more information, visit www.thelinku.com
 
About FIU Athletics
Pro Bowl wide receiver T.Y. Hilton caught touchdowns here. Olympic gold medalist Tayna Lawrence sprinted here. Major League All Star and World Series champion Mike Lowell swung for the fences here. Here, under the South Florida sun, is where more than 400 student-athletes compete in 17 Division-I sports as proud members of Conference USA and affiliate members of the American Conference in men's soccer and swimming and diving. FIU Athletics has produced nearly 120 All-Americans, 50 NCAA Tournament appearances and record-setting academic performances at a Top 50 preeminent public research university with more than 55,000 students. For more information, visit FIUSports.com.