Playfly Sports

On Monday night, UNM men’s basketball debuted the program’s first-ever uniform patch featuring Nusenda Credit Union.

It’s the latest chapter in a partnership that took a major step earlier this year with a 10-year agreement naming The Pit, and in a relationship between UNM and Nusenda that dates back to 1985.

Now the Nusenda logo will also appear on competition apparel for Lobo men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s golf, and men’s and women’s tennis 💥

The partnership also includes field logos at University Stadium, new officially licensed Lobo debit cards, and financial education resources for student-athletes.

UNM Sports Properties, UNM Athletics’ multimedia rights holder and part of Playfly Sports, helped bring both agreements to life.

“Nusenda is not just sponsoring the jersey patch, but it has created a comprehensive campaign with UNM that leans into the storytelling of their brand and ensures visibility that goes far beyond game day.” – Christy Hedgpeth, President, Playfly Sports Properties.

Congrats to UNM Sports Properties, Nusenda Credit Union and UNM Athletics! 🎉

🔗bit.ly/4A58SsA

After debuting our College Football Audience Power Rankings this summer, Playfly Insights is bringing the Audience Power Rankings model to the hardwood.

With the college basketball season tipping off this weekend in Rome, here’s a first look at which men’s and women’s programs are projected to draw the biggest national TV audiences this season. It’s a preview of our upcoming FanScore report, “2026-27 College Basketball Look Ahead: College Basketball Doesn’t Wait for March,” coming next week 👀

Men’s highlights:
🏀 Florida opens the season No. 1 in the AP poll but is projected 13th in viewership. Kansas (17th in the AP) and Kentucky (23rd) are projected 2nd and 3rd, and North Carolina lands 5th without an AP ranking.

🟢 Playfly partner Michigan State is projected to be the Big Ten’s most-watched program at No. 4 overall, ahead of Michigan (7th) and Illinois (10th).

Women’s highlights:
⭐ USC jumps 12 spots to 6th with JuJu Watkins back on the court, while South Carolina and UConn are projected to hold the top two spots again.

🔶 Tennessee shows the power of a loyal fan base. The Lady Vols are projected to outdraw all but 11 teams despite opening the season unranked.

Just like in football, the rankings give marketers and rights holders a different way to evaluate the sport: not simply by who is expected to win, but by who consistently commands attention.

Stay tuned for the full report next week.

From the Main Line to Rome 🇮🇹

@futurestandard_ is now the exclusive jersey patch partner of all 24 @NovaAthletics varsity sports 🤝

The patch debuts this weekend vs. Notre Dame at the Eternal City Tip-Off 🏀 #GoNova

Press Release:🔗 bit.ly/4yTAWyf

What's the most underrated aspect of mixed-use developments?

Cary Hirschstein, Head of Real Estate Strategy at @Populous, walked us through his vision for sports-anchored districts in the most recent episode of Playmakers.

See the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧

YouTube 🔗 bit.ly/4zSae9U
Spotify 🔗 bit.ly/4eO6bmT
Apple Podcasts 🔗 bit.ly/3UjgJDK

@PenFed is now the Official National Credit Union of Texas A&M University Athletics 🎉

Rooted in a shared commitment to service, the partnership brings integrated branding, fan engagement and military appreciation initiatives to the 12th Man. Fans will see it in action this Saturday, Oct. 17, when the PenFed Entitlement Game against The Citadel recognizes U.S. service members, veterans and their families.

Congrats to PenFed Credit Union and to our team at Aggie Sports Enterprises for bringing this partnership to Kyle Field and beyond. Gig'em! 🤠

🔗 bit.ly/4yPXT5X