Garnet Trust is a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partner of the University of South Carolina Athletics. We are a marketing agency dedicated to connecting USC student-athletes with fans, businesses, and charitable organizations. Our mission is to build the best NIL program in college sports by facilitating opportunities that help student-athletes develop critical business and life skills, all while giving back to the community.
Now, Garnet Trust is transitioning into a full-service marketing agency. We will continue to connect local and national businesses with student-athletes to help promote their brands. Through this new approach, Garnet Trust will provide valuable opportunities for brand growth and equip athletes with skills that will benefit them long after their time on campus.
Initially established in November 2021, Garnet Trust was one of the nation's first NIL collectives. What began as a part-time passion project has since grown into a full-time operation with three employees and numerous interns from the University of South Carolina's College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management (HRSM). In the beginning, all funding for NIL opportunities came from generous donors and businesses who hired athletes for local appearances and other services in exchange for compensation.
