In June, Penn State head football coach James Franklin said the Nittany Lions would need “more [money] than the numbers you’ve heard” to compete with other college football programs in the rapidly evolving name, image, and likeness (NIL) space.

Now, less than three months later, several former players have announced the launch of Lions Legacy Club — the first football-specific NIL collective at Penn State.

The collective, spearheaded by Chris Ganter, Michael Mauti, and Ki-Jana Carter, vows to “connect student-athletes with local and national revenue-earning opportunities,” according to Blueprint Sports, the club’s leading partner.

Ganter, who played quarterback for the Nittany Lions from 2002 to 2004, will serve as the collective’s general manager alongside Mauti and Carter, who function as executive partners. Moreover, Ganter’s father, Fran, graced the Beaver Stadium sidelines for 33 years as one of Joe Paterno’s lead assistants.

“I am honored to lead the Lions Legacy Club and give back to the football program that has given me so much throughout my life,” Ganter said. “Knowing how competitive the college football landscape can be, our goal is to create top-notch opportunities for these student-athletes and make a significant impact to ensure a sustainable future for the program.”  

With the assistance of the Lions Legacy Club, businesses now have the opportunity to create custom marketing strategies, book speaking engagements, and hold autograph sessions in conjunction with participating Penn State football student-athletes.