General 7/30/2026 10:00:00 AM

United East Conference Partners with Opendorse to Expand NIL Education for Member Institutions

(Latham, N.Y. and Lincoln, Neb. – [DATE], 2026) – The United East Conference has signed a two-year partnership with Opendorse, the leading NIL technology, data, and service provider, bringing dedicated NIL consulting and education to conference leadership. The agreement makes United East the fifth conference to work with Opendorse in this capacity, joining a growing group of Division III conferences investing in NIL support at the leadership level.

Through the partnership, Opendorse will work directly with Commissioner Stephanie Dutton and conference leadership to build out NIL education for United East's member institutions and their student-athletes. The 2026-27 academic year marks Dutton's eighth year leading the conference.

Penn State Harrisburg gave the conference its first look at Opendorse. Earlier this year, the school became the first United East member to partner with Opendorse, previewing what NIL support looks like at the institutional level ahead of this conference-wide consulting agreement.

"With NIL becoming an important part of the student-athlete experience, the United East is excited to partner with Opendorse to provide our member institutions with the tools and resources to navigate this space," said Stephanie Dutton, Commissioner of the United East Conference. "Opendorse has emerged as a leader in this area, and we appreciate their dedication to understanding the needs of Division III institutions. Bringing more NIL education and support to our conference members aligns with our continued commitment to expand our benefits and services for all United East institutions."

"The United East has been intentional about building out NIL support for their institutions, and this partnership gives Commissioner Dutton and conference leadership the tools to guide that work with more clarity," said Jake Daugherty, Director, Collegiate Partnerships at Opendorse. "We're glad to support that effort and help the conference bring more NIL education and opportunity to its member schools."

The agreement runs through the 2027-28 academic year, with Opendorse providing ongoing consulting and education resources to United East leadership throughout the two-year term.

About Opendorse
Opendorse is the technology, data, and service platform powering the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) industry for colleges, collectives, consumers, and commercial partners. More than 180,000 athlete influencers use Opendorse to build, promote, and monetize their personal brands through the largest athlete media network.

For media inquiries, contact Opendorse Manager, Marketing and Social Media Blake Schaben at blake.schaben@opendorse.com.

The United East boasts 13 NCAA Division III full-member institutions: Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Brandywine, Penn State Harrisburg, St. Mary's College of Maryland and Wilson College. For more information, visit gounitedeast.com.