Columbus startup doubles down on NIL potential for college athletes
Five Star Fans co-founders, Tina Provost (L) and Jennifer Dean (R)
Following the groundbreaking Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies introduced by the NCAA, two former Ohio State cheerleaders have developed an exciting new platform called Five Star Fans. Designed to transform how college sports fans engage with athletes, this platform offers real-time financial support to collegiate players. Founders Tina Provost and Jennifer Barr Dean drew inspiration from popular platforms like Twitch, Patreon, and TikTok, all of which connect creators directly to their supporters. Five Star Fans aims to democratize fan engagement by creating direct connections between athletes and their fans.
NIL policies have dramatically changed the landscape of college sports, allowing athletes to earn money from endorsements, sponsorships, and other ventures that leverage their personal brand. Prior to NIL, college athletes were restricted from receiving any form of compensation, even though their performances and images generated substantial revenue for their schools. Now, athletes can monetize their fame through social media deals, promotional events, and branded merchandise, giving them more control over their financial futures. This shift has empowered athletes while opening new dynamics in recruiting, competition, and fan engagement.
Provost and Dean recognize, however, that not all athletes want to be influencers; many simply want to focus on playing their sport. With Five Star Fans, athletes can benefit from NIL policies without the added pressure of managing social media or creating content. The platform allows them to get paid for their performance on the field, earning more by simply playing their best.
Revolutionizing Fan-Athlete Interaction
Five Star Fans takes a fresh approach to college sports engagement, allowing everyday fans to support athletes in real-time, bridging the gap between wealthy donors and typical sports enthusiasts. Their mission is to empower fans to contribute directly to the athletes who inspire them without the barriers often associated with booster donations or other formal support systems.
The platform's unique currency system lets fans purchase “likes” that can be sent directly to athletes while watching games. This instant form of support allows athletes to receive real-time financial rewards for outstanding plays, creating an engaging and dynamic experience for viewers. Fans are no longer passive spectators — they can now actively participate by rewarding their favorite athletes during the action.
Early Success and Future Expansion
Since its launch, Five Star Fans has seen impressive growth metrics, with a 53% increase in views and a staggering 900% rise in athlete profiles. This early success highlights a strong desire for fan-athlete engagement. These early results highlight the potential for Five Star Fans to become a major player in the college sports ecosystem, particularly within the Ohio State fandom, where the platform has already established a foothold.
Provost and her team have ambitious plans for future growth. While the platform currently focuses on college football and men’s basketball, the most popular college sports, they aim to expand to include women’s basketball and a broader range of sports. New features, such as exclusive content and additional engagement tools, are also in development. The goal is to create an all-encompassing platform that offers something for every type of college sports fan, from casual viewers to die-hard supporters.
Today, Five Star Fans features teams and players from across the nation, including prominent college sports states like Alabama, Oregon, Georgia, Texas, Michigan, and Tennessee. From College Football Playoff (CFP) contenders to local state universities, fans can support athletes from colleges in 49 states.
What It Means For Ohio
The team at Five Star Fans is passionate about putting Ohio on the map. As pioneers in this type of tech in the NIL/college sports industry, they hope to attract other tech and investors to the state.
For Ohio, and particularly The Ohio State University athletics, Five Star Fans presents a new way for fans to engage with their favorite athletes while offering financial support in real-time. With Ohio State’s passionate and expansive fan base, the platform thrives in an environment where fans are eager to show their appreciation for their teams. With Five Star Fans, Ohio State Buckeyes supporters - from students to alumni and casual viewers - can now contribute directly to their favorite athletes during games, creating a more interactive and meaningful fan experience.
This democratization of fan support benefits Ohio State athletes by allowing them to receive contributions not only from large donors but also from everyday Ohio State football fans who are eager to show their appreciation to the Big Ten school.
