August 25, 2026

HELENA, Mont. – The Frontier Conference is pleased to announce a new conference-wide partnership with Athletes Thread, a leading provider of officially licensed Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) merchandise and trading cards.

“I am thrilled to announce our exclusive partnership with Athletes Thread, which marks a significant step forward in our NIL strategy,” stated Frontier Conference Commissioner, Dr. Scott Crawford.  “This collaboration provides our student-athletes with a comprehensive, full-service platform to elevate their personal brands and capitalize on their Name, Image, and Likeness, through high-quality custom merchandise and innovation trading card programs.  By aligning with Athletes Thread, the Frontier Conference is reinforcing our commitment to providing member institutions and student-athletes with the resources necessary to succeed both on and off the field.”

The partnership will provide Frontier Conference student-athletes with additional opportunities to capitalize on their NIL through personalized merchandise, apparel, jerseys, and other custom products. The collaboration also gives fans, alumni and supporters new ways to connect with and directly support student-athletes throughout the conference.

Through Athletes Thread, participating student-athletes can develop personalized merchandise featuring their name, number and individual branding while incorporating officially licensed institutional marks. The platform is designed to help student-athletes build their personal brands, connect with their supporters and generate NIL revenue through merchandise sales.

Athletes Thread has grown into one of the nation's leading NIL merchandise platforms. The company works with more than 400 colleges and universities and supports more than 50,000 student-athletes nationwide with officially licensed merchandise. Its offerings include custom apparel, jerseys, personalized designs and trading cards.

The partnership will allow Athletes Thread to work with Frontier Conference institutions and their student-athletes to create athlete-driven products while utilizing conference and institutional platforms to increase visibility and fan engagement.

The partnership continues the Frontier Conference's commitment to providing its student-athletes and member institutions with resources designed to enhance opportunities beyond athletic competition.

About Athletes Thread
Athletes Thread is a leading supplier of NIL merchandise working with 415+ colleges and supporting over 55,000 student-athletes. The company provides officially licensed NIL apparel, jerseys, and trading cards through its Champions Deck platform, offering custom designs at no cost to athletes. The company is committed to empowering student-athletes to leverage their NIL rights and build their personal brands. Products are available online and through retail partners, including campus bookstores and national sporting goods retailers.
X - https://x.com/AthletesThread
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AthletesThread/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/athletesthread/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletesthread/

About the Frontier Conference
The Frontier Conference is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), providing championship opportunities and supporting the academic, athletic and personal development of student-athletes at its member institutions.