Blenders Eyewear Donates $100K to SDSU-backed Collective
By Darian Kelly
Last Updated on March 7, 2025
Blenders Eyewear is celebrating its 13th anniversary on March 6, and to commemorate its success, they are donating $100,000 to San Diego State’s MESA Collective to help support its presence within name, image, and likeness. Focused on empowering SDSU college athletes, the Mesa Collective provides resources and opportunities to help them thrive in the NIL landscape.
This is not the first time Blenders has collaborated with the MESA Collective. Last year, before March Madness, Blenders launched their March Radness campaign, where each player was gifted signature Aztec-inspired eyewear. Blender’s recent $100,000 donation brings their total contribution to $275,000.
The eyewear brand’s CEO and founder Chase Fisher values the company’s relationship with San Diego State and believes its roots run deeper than NIL.
“SDSU’s NIL initiative isn’t just an investment for Blenders, it’s personal,” Fisher said. “This school is where I started with a backpack, a few bucks, and a relentless drive to make something out of nothing. Now, we’re paying it forward, helping SDSU athletes do the same, bet on themselves, build their brands, and create something bigger than just sports.”
Fisher took it a step further, explaining that the brand’s approach to NIL is not about logo placement but about creating opportunities for college athletes.
“For us, NIL isn’t about slapping a logo on a jersey or writing a blank check,” Fisher added. “It’s about real impact, giving athletes the tools, the partnerships, and the visibility to take their future into their own hands.”
Unlike powerhouse institutions with seemingly unlimited resources, SDSU relies on creative partnerships like the one with Blenders to ensure that their college athletes can build their brands organically through NIL.
“SDSU doesn’t have the deep pockets of powerhouse programs, so they must get creative to stand out. That’s where we come in,” Fisher said. “Putting athletes on billboards, giving them sunglass deals, and building cool brand partnerships helps SDSU show recruits they’re not just signing up to play ball, they’re joining something bigger.”
When asked about the brand’s long-term vision, Fisher shared, “Long term, this is bigger than just one school. We want to redefine what athlete empowerment looks like. Sunglasses aren’t just shades; they’re a symbol of confidence, energy, and self-expression. That’s what we’re giving these athletes: a platform, a voice, and the belief that they can own their moment on and off the floor.”
Before their work with San Diego State, Blenders partnered with Deion Sanders to create Coach Prime-themed shades.
