WATERVILLE, Maine (WABI) – Name, image and likeness have been in the headlines in recent years allowing college and high school to be paid. Some have used it as a platform for their passions.
“If you are passionate about something like curing cancer and you want to let people know and you want the world to know, we can go out and tell that story,” answered Founder and C.E.O. of Pliable Marketing Greg Glynn.
Pliable is an N.I.L. company allowing college and high school athletes from the around the country to brand themselves and tell their story.
Two of Greg’s athletes, Hannah Dukeman and Emma Eubank, softball players out of Indiana wanted to use N.I.L. for something else other than money.
“They had told me they wanted to cure childhood cancer,” recalled Greg. “They had raised over four thousand and five hundred dollars because they had created cleats that we put together that said #CureCancer.”
That’s where ‘The Magic Cleats’ came along. A children’s book Greg, along with his daughter Kelsey wrote about the story.
But also in the pages you can find spotlights on other female athletes branding themselves through N.I.L.
“I love seeing all the girls like Maddie Niles, Emma Eubank and Logan Hale and I love seeing them being able to help their communities too and what their passionate about,” said Kelsey.
Greg says it can be a book to inspire younger girls to see firsthand what’s possible. But don’t let the pictures fool you, it’s not just for kids.
“I think parents as well, I know the target audience is children but it’s a reminder to parents that enable your kids to do what they want to do,” commented Greg.
It’s stars like Mia Hamm from back in the day and now Caitlin Clark that have helped prop up the respect, coverage and recognition of women athletes and while Greg says the growth has been impressive, there’s still plenty of room to grow.
“We’re trying to go out there and help women realize that they can do amazing things,” said Greg. “This is not just about making all kinds of money, this is about building your brand and making sure that you are doing the things that you’re passionate about for you and what you want to do in your career and that’s going to lead to your success long-term. I know what’s coming for women’s sports and I know the passion that these women have. They are the underdog story and this story is far from over.”
If you want to check out the book for yourself, head on down to Oliver & Friends Bookshop in Waterville, through a quick Amazon search or head to the Pliable Marketing website here.
There will also be a book signing on August 2nd at Oliver & Friends.
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