Gainesville, FL – [August 7th] – University of Florida quarterback and five-star freshman DJ Lagway has partnered with Athlete’s Thread to launch an NIL campaign with the goal of rallying Gator Nation and supporting the entire football team as the 2025 season kicks off. In collaboration with sports marketing and management agency NETWORK, and the University of Florida Athletics, Learfield, the campaign is a unified effort to build team-wide momentum through NIL leadership and community-driven support.
As part of the campaign, 20% of all proceeds from DJ Lagway’s collection on AthletesThread.com will be donated to benefit the entire Florida Gators football team. Both Athlete’s Thread and DJ Lagway have pledged 10% each of all sales, reinforcing their shared commitment to giving back and fueling a team-first NIL impact.
Coming off a Men’s Basketball National Championship this spring, Gator Nation is more energized than ever.
“Our goal was to tell DJ Lagway’s story in a way that allowed us to channel that excitement into the entire Gator Football team - especially with how well the team played together last season and the leadership displayed by DJ Lagway,” said Luke McGurrin, Co-Founder & CMO of Athlete’s Thread.
The campaign is anchored by a cinematic hero video, filmed inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, including the iconic UF press podium where legends like Tim Tebow once stood. Echoing that legacy, DJ’s voice narrates the story—symbolizing the next generation of leadership in Gainesville.
The video can be seen on the instagram of DJ Lagway, Athlete’s Thread, and the University of Florida here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNEN_Tmv8v2
“This isn’t about me—it’s about us. One Team. One Family. One Gator Nation.” says DJ Lagway in the video.
Known for his character and leadership both on and off the field, this campaign reflects how DJ shows up for his teammates, family, and fans.
The collection includes a line of signature apparel pieces inspired by DJ’s personal story and values, brought to life through a creative collaboration between DJ and NETWORK.
“DJ Lagway is a natural leader who embraces using NIL for good, and we are proud to have supported him for so many years,” said Justin J. Giangrande, CEO of NETWORK. “It’s exciting when long-term projects like this come to light–those that allow DJ to share his story in an authentic way while giving back to the team.”
Fans can shop the exclusive drop—including hoodies, jerseys, headwear, and more—at https://athletesthread.com/pages/dj-lagway
Every purchase made between now and August 31 for any DJ Lagway product will contribute 20% of the total sale to the Florida Gators football team.
“These campaigns, where the entire team benefits and are championed by athletes with great character on and off the field like DJ Lagway, are our favorite to work on. It illustrates how NIL can be a powerful unifying force for entire teams,” said Karthik Shanadi, Co-Founder & CEO of Athlete’s Thread.
As the college football season approaches, “The Legacy Continues” is more than just a campaign—it’s a rallying cry for all of the Gator Nation. It celebrates legacy, leadership, and the collective power of NIL to elevate not just individuals, but entire programs.
For more information or to shop the collection, visit https://athletesthread.com/pages/dj-lagway.
About Athlete’s Thread
Athlete’s Thread is a leading NIL merchandise marketplace that empowers over 43,000 collegiate athletes to build purpose-driven brands through storytelling, apparel, and NIL revenue strategies that uplift entire teams.
About NETWORK
NETWORK is a Los Angeles-based sports marketing and management agency, brand studio, and entertainment production company. Specializing in Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) strategy, the company manages elite athletes, develops their creative positioning, fosters partnerships for global brands, and produces culturally relevant content. NETWORK’s clients include some of the biggest names in sports, such as DJ Lagway, Julian Lewis, and Malachi Nelson, among others. More at thenetworkadvisory.com.