Badger athletes make NIL impact off the court

For sports fans, the big moments leave a lasting impression — the game-winning three-pointer, the walk-off home run, the overtime goal.

But through a unique name, image and likeness (NIL) paid partnership with Exact Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison student-athletes have been able to leave a different kind of mark on their community — one that will have fans remembering them for what they did off the court, too.

Exact Sciences has long been a trailblazer in the field of cancer research and detection, revolutionizing the approach to cancer screening and diagnostic tests. The company is working to eradicate cancer — by preventing it, catching it early, and making sure every patient gets the treatment that’s right for them. True to form, Exact Sciences has become an innovator in the NIL world as well.

In 2023, the organization launched the Exact Sciences Athletes NIL program, which gives student-athletes the opportunity to engage with the company on various initiatives, including career coaching, community events, social media outreach, and more. More typically in NIL deals, amateur athletes are paid to endorse products. Exact Sciences Athletes, however, engage deeply with their community by participating in cancer awareness campaigns, volunteering efforts, and more. By prioritizing meaningful engagement, Exact Sciences is showing that NIL can be more — an opportunity for student-athletes to grow as leaders in their community.

Badger Sports Properties, the locally based team of media and technology company Learfield Sports, helps Exact Sciences execute the NIL partnerships with the UW student-athletes. Scott Silvestri, vice president-general manager of Badger Sports Properties, said that Exact Sciences is among the first to provide a “micro-internship” opportunity, one that truly invests in the athlete and their future.

“The Exact Sciences partnership with UW Athletics combines everything that is right with NIL — showcasing our partners and student athletes’ commitment to community service, while highlighting the good works performed in the classroom and within their respective sports,” Silvestri said.

Wisconsin men’s basketball player and 2024-25 Exact Sciences Athlete Carter Gilmore came into the partnership with a specific vision of how he wanted to give back to the Madison community. Gilmore asked Exact Sciences to help him host a youth basketball clinic at a local Boys and Girls Club. Dozens of kids came to the gym for ball-handling drills, layup lines, games of knockout, and more.

It was evident the event had a special impact.

"Once I told them I was a Wisconsin Badger basketball player, I could see their eyes light up and a smile on their face,” Gilmore said of the event. “They’d start showing their skills, and I could tell they were picturing themselves in my shoes. That was the best part — giving these kids a sense of inspiration, something to work for, someone to look up to."

Wisconsin rower Chloe Powell, another Exact Sciences Athlete, chose to help at Gilda’s Club, a facility in Madison that offers a place with support for people and families dealing with cancer. Powell helped clean and set up the clubhouse to make it feel welcoming.

 “I feel like this was a super awesome experience,” Powell said. “Not only do I feel like I am contributing to people who may be going through a tough time, but also just to see all these amazing resources that Gilda's Club has available for cancer patients and their families as well. Something as small as cleaning can have a big impact on those families.”

Exact Sciences Athletes also have the opportunity to use their platforms to inspire family, friends and fans to take care of their health, especially when it comes to cancer screenings. Each athlete works with Exact Sciences to film and post a video to their social media channels, encouraging their audience to talk to their doctor about their family health history, practice healthy habits, and more.

Powell felt especially connected to this part of the NIL program — her mom had cervical cancer at 28, and her dad died of leukemia at 35.

“Growing up and not having [my father] be there and having him have passed when he was so young is something that I don’t want anyone else to have to go through,” Powell said in her video. “Inspiring people to get tested earlier and take cancer more seriously at a younger age is something that’s really important to me.”

The Exact Sciences Athletes program is relatively new, but already making a difference. In just two years, this NIL program has earned a reputation in Madison as one of the most unique.

As for the future of the NIL world? Silvestri says it looks a lot like the Exact Sciences Athletes program. The program creates a rare space where student-athletes can connect their passions, whether in science, education or service, with real-world impact. Exact Sciences isn’t just ahead of the curve. It’s helping define it.

“Since the inception of the Exact Sciences Athletes Program, we now have four partners that incorporate this type of activity into their deals with student athletes,” Silvestri said. “This innovative program has received national recognition through Learfield and serves as a model for other schools to follow.”