LAKE MARY, Fla.–Addition Financial Credit Union has become one of the first in the country to take advantage of the NCAA’s new Name Image and Likeness (NIL) rules to hire a college athlete as a spokesperson.
Addition Financial said it has launched a “brand partnership” with Dillon Gabriel, the starting quarterback for the University of Central Florida.
During the upcoming football season, Gabriel will be featured in Addition Financial’s social media engagement and other marketing opportunities.
“Addition Financial is proud to partner with our hometown quarterback and support our Knights this fall,” said Katie Thomason, vice president of community engagement and partnerships. “Athletes like Dillon Gabriel are a shining example to our community, and we are excited to align our brands through this partnership.”
The credit union noted it began its longstanding relationship with UCF Athletics in 2013, after acquiring the naming rights to the Addition Financial Arena on campus. That same year, Addition Financial was named the official financial institution of the UCF Knights.
Additional Support
Since that time, Addition Financial said it has provided support to the UCF Athletics program through scholarships, comprehensive financial education workshops for student-athletes, and sponsorship of other initiatives. In 2015, the credit union launched an affinity debit card program with UCF Athletics, offering two co-branded debit card designs. Every time the card is swiped, Addition Financial makes a donation back to UCF Athletics.
“Addition Financial is a well-established credit union that is dedicated to the financial success of those who bank with them,” said Gabriel. “My hope is that this partnership will bring financial awareness to the UCF community. I want to use my platform to find creative ways to give back, and I know financial literacy is an area where we can all improve, especially as college students.”