SheSports Expands to Champion Overlooked Female Athletes in NIL Era

OMAHA, Neb. – March 10, 2026 – Digital platform SheSports announced today the addition of five collegiate athletes from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Creighton University, and the University of Nebraska Omaha, a strategic expansion that pushes the company into softball and track and field for the first time. The move directly confronts the growing disparity in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape, creating structured opportunities for female athletes in sports that are often underserved.

The new cohort of athletes includes softball standouts Ava Kuszak, an All-American infielder at Nebraska; Avery Barnard, an outfielder at Creighton; and Ava Rongisch, an outfielder at UNO. They are joined by track and field competitors Kelsie Belquist, a sprinter and hurdler at Nebraska, and Kate Kelly, a jumper at UNO.

This expansion increases the platform's roster to 16 athletes across seven sports and signals a deliberate effort to provide financial and brand-building avenues where they are most needed.

The Widening Gap in the NIL Landscape

Since the dawn of the NIL era in collegiate athletics, a significant gap in opportunities and compensation has emerged between high-revenue sports like football and basketball and their non-revenue counterparts. This disparity is particularly pronounced in women's athletics. While women’s sports are experiencing unprecedented growth in viewership and fan engagement, the financial rewards of NIL have been slow to trickle down.

Recent industry data reveals a stark reality: only a small percentage of total NIL compensation is directed toward female athletes. Furthermore, analysis from NIL platform Opendorse showed that just 34% of NIL collectives—booster-funded groups that are major players in the NIL market—offer any compensation to women's sports programs. This financial imbalance exists despite evidence that female athletes often demonstrate higher social media engagement rates than their male counterparts, making them potent brand ambassadors.

The market is ripe for change. Projections indicate that total NIL spending on women's sports is on a steep upward trajectory, expected to more than double by the 2027-28 season. Record-breaking viewership for events like the Women's College World Series and the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament underscores a rapidly growing commercial interest. SheSports aims to be a catalyst in this movement, connecting that interest directly to the athletes.

A Purpose-Driven Platform

Launched in November 2025, SheSports was founded to address this very issue with a unique, dual-impact model. The platform provides a safe, moderated digital space where girls ages 8 to 18 can connect directly with collegiate and professional female athletes. Through the app, young users can ask questions about topics ranging from building confidence and managing performance pressure to navigating the recruiting process and prioritizing mental health.

Athletes are compensated for their engagement, responding to questions with short videos or written posts. This model transforms mentorship into a tangible NIL opportunity, allowing athletes to build their personal brands and earn income by sharing their authentic experiences rather than relying solely on traditional product endorsements.

"Women's sports are growing faster than ever," said SheSports co-founder Lexi Rodriguez in the company's announcement. "But NIL opportunities haven't always grown at the same pace. This platform helps close that gap by giving athletes meaningful ways to earn while giving back."

This purpose-driven approach differentiates the platform from mainstream social media, creating a positive and encouraging community free from the negativity that can often permeate online spaces. For parents and young athletes, it offers a source of vetted advice and inspiration. For the collegiate athletes, it provides a structured and meaningful way to monetize their platform.

New Faces, New Opportunities

The five athletes joining SheSports represent the high caliber of talent often overlooked in the broader NIL conversation. Ava Kuszak, a junior infielder for the Nebraska softball team, brings an impressive resume. After earning All-Big Ten honors at Wisconsin, she transferred to Nebraska and became a First-Team All-Big Ten selection and an NFCA All-American. In 2025, she tied a school record by hitting three home runs in a single game.

Kelsie Belquist, a sprinter and hurdler for the Nebraska track and field team, was the 2022-23 Gatorade North Dakota Girls Track & Field Player of the Year before beginning her collegiate career. Her addition, along with UNO jumper Kate Kelly, marks the platform's crucial first step into a sport with a massive participation base but limited NIL visibility.

By joining SheSports, these athletes gain a platform to not only supplement their income but also to build a personal brand rooted in mentorship and authenticity. They become role models with a direct line to the next generation of girls lacing up their cleats and track spikes, sharing invaluable lessons that extend far beyond the field of play.

Carving a Niche in Sports Tech

SheSports is positioning itself as a key innovator in the burgeoning sports technology market. While other platforms like Parity also work to close the gender opportunity gap and marketplaces like Opendorse facilitate deals, SheSports' focus on combining direct NIL compensation with a protected mentorship environment for a youth audience creates a distinct and powerful niche.

Founded by a team that includes former Nebraska volleyball legend Lexi Rodriguez, the company is led by individuals with firsthand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing female athletes. This authentic perspective is embedded in the platform's mission and design. The company's strategic partnership with media partner Hurrdat Sports further enhances its ability to amplify athlete stories and expand its reach.

By expanding into softball and track and field, SheSports is not just adding athletes; it is making a statement. The platform is actively building an ecosystem where the value of female athletes is recognized, celebrated, and, most importantly, compensated. This creates a powerful cycle of support designed to uplift women in sports for years to come.