St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets Inc. and Every True Tiger Brands have partnered to develop a variety of products, exclusive to Schnucks in its home markets, that will feature University of Missouri student athletes.
The first-of-its-kind program features student athletes from various sports on a variety of products, through new name, image and likeness rules where college athletes can be compensated.
“These items give our customers and Mizzou fans the opportunity to support University of Missouri athletics while enjoying delicious products they can pick up at their hometown grocery store,” said Scott Wilmoth, category manager.
To launch the partnership, Schnucks is introducing “Pizza With the Mizzou Crew” – a mega meat, thin crust frozen pizza featuring Tigers defensive stars Ty’Ron Hopper, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Kris Abrams-Draine.
Every two months, Schnucks will introduce a new frozen pizza variety that will feature different in-season university athletes. Retail price of the pizzas will be $7.99, and they will be available in all Missouri Schnucks locations, as well as metropolitan St. Louis stores in Illinois.
“Being able to do local partnerships with student athletes in brand building is really the true intent of NIL,” said Eliah Drinkwitz, MU football head coach.
“Thank you to Every True Tiger Brands for helping establish this marketing campaign with Schnucks. It’s a great opportunity for Mizzou football and our players who have earned the opportunity to be featured throughout the summer and fall on the pizzas.”
According to ETTB CEO Nick Garner, Schnucks’ work with Mizzou’s student athletes is a “great benefit in Every True Tiger Brands maintaining its leading position in NIL efforts for its student athletes.”
“We are excited to partner with a great Missouri brand like Schnucks for this innovative program,” Garner said.
“This is just another example of businesses being a pioneer in creating vehicles for our student athletes to grow their personal brands, while also promoting Mizzou.”
Products from the collaboration to follow potentially include branded ice cream, candy, snacks, coffee and cookies.
“Through Every True Tiger Brands, our student athletes will be able to represent our university and see their faces connected with a Missouri brand on the shelves of our local Schnucks,” said Dennis Gates, men’s basketball head coach.
“We look forward to the continued innovation and businesses providing more opportunities for our student athletes to connect with Tiger fans.”
Schnucks Markets has also partnered with the St. Louis Cardinals to introduce co-branded ice cream, available at stores across the Midwest.
