Matt Leinart and Caleb Williams Launch an NFT Platform for High School and College Athletes

Two generations of University of Southern California quarterbacks have teamed up to establish an NFT platform for student-athletes to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness. Matt Leinart, a 2004 Heisman Trophy winner for USC, and 2021 Freshman All-American Caleb Williams, have teamed up to launch Hall of GOATs to help empower student-athletes at all levels to create their personal brands through a digital marketplace.

The newest NIL platform will partner directly with student-athletes to help them establish and execute their personal brand strategy for long term success. It will also allow collectors and fans to easily access and engage with their favorite amateur athletes, and will offer limited edition merchandise, autographed memorabilia, tickets to events, and exclusive conversations with athletes.

“There is a new generation of athlete today that has the power and ownership potential of their future on and off the field,” said Leinart, the two-time National Champion and College Football Hall of Famer. “Hall of GOATs’ mission is to empower collegiate and high school athletes to further take control of their own brands and build a legacy that extends well beyond the playing field.”

The platform will offer digital collectibles highlighting the student-athlete’s personality on and off the field. The collectibles will feature memorable athletic performances, but they will also include personal stories, interests, passions, and other significant off court moments.

“I’ve been trying to figure out how to get into the digital collectible and NFT space for some time now,” added the sophomore-to-be Trojans quarterback, Williams. “But not until I joined the Hall of GOATs team have I seen a platform that helps amateur athletes in particular build their brands, tell their stories and set them up for long term success. It’s always been my goal to do something that could help my teammates and other athletes in this new space of college sports. I feel like Hall of GOATS can do just that.”

Hall of GOATs will serve both high school and collegiate athletes. It will partner with top-level providers, including design and production companies, gaming and streaming activations, and other brand collaborations. Also, it specifically plans to integrate the collectibles on the new Metaverse.

The vast majority of athletes will not continue to play professionally. Hall of GOATs recognizes that reality and is focused on helping athletes create long term success with a digital marketplace.  

“98.5% of amateur athletes don’t go pro,” said Hall of GOATs CEO Greig Carlson, a former USC wide receiver. “I went from being a walk-on to earning a scholarship on a National Championship-winning team but was out of the sport just as quickly. Hall of GOATs will help athletes at all levels build their communities while navigating the NIL landscape to set them up for success even after they hang up their cleats or sneakers.”

Built on the NEAR protocol – a certified carbon-neutral blockchain – and accepting credit and debit cards, Hall of GOATs is focused on sustainability and accessibility for all levels of collectors and fans to participate and engage.