NFL veteran and FIU alumnus launches platform to set student-athletes up for the future 

The Miami-based NIL startup Inside the Cage just closed a $100,000 membership from PayCargo

By Riley Kaminer

It has been almost a year since the NCAA created new rules allowing college athletes to trade on their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Since then, there have been a proliferation of businesses working to help athletes make the most of their personal brand – including a few successful examples locally.

But one of the latest Miami startups to enter into the NIL space is far from just another name to add to the list. In fact, thanks to its strong connections to our local sports ecosystem and high-profile founders, it is making a splash in this burgeoning sports subsector.

Former NFL player Johnathan Cyprien is the quarterback of the Miami startup Inside the Cage, which launched in March. The Florida International University alumnus, FIU’s highest ever draft pick, is on a mission to create opportunities for student-athletes by raising funds and organizing partnerships through the athletes’ NIL.

“We’re helping set these athletes up for when they leave sports and are trying to figure out what to do next,” Cyprien told Refresh Miami. “That way they’re not in the dark, but they have people to reach out to and have the knowledge to fall back on, which we give them throughout their years in college.”

Already, the startup has gained some significant traction. For one, Coral Gables-based logistics payment system PayCargo has secured a $100,000 membership to promote Inside the Cage’s mission of supporting student-athletes when it comes to NIL.

In a statement, PayCargo’s global CEO, Eduardo del Riego, underscored the importance of Inside the Cage’s educational component: “PayCargo strongly believes in Inside the Cage’s mission to empower student athletes with opportunities to succeed beyond their on-campus training and education,” he said. “Furthermore, we hope this partnership inspires others in the community to help shape the lives of more student athletes.”

Education is a key component to Inside the Cage, considering the tricky territory athletes are treading when it comes to NIL. “It’s super important for them to understand the importance of NIL because they’re not just athletes – they’re brands,” Cyprien said. The startup has partnered with Miami marketing company The Bloom Agency – founded by another FIU grad – to help provide student-athletes with financial and mental health education, on top of career development opportunities.

“I became involved with Inside the Cage because of its team’s determination to elevate student-athletes and help them navigate NIL deals fairly, while empowering them with financial, mental health and career development guidance,” commented Silvana Massolo, CEO of the Bloom Agency. “The goal is to help student-athletes win as individuals while they win the game.”

Through Inside the Cage’s platform, sports fans and businesses can make contributions towards athletes’ NIL deals. The startup offers various membership tiers ranging from $25 per month to $10,000 per year. Benefits for the contributors scale up with their donation size. Highlights include personalized videos from athletes, opportunities to attend VIP events, and even exclusive NFTs. The funds raised via Inside the Cage are shared evenly among all the athletes in the collective, minus a small percentage taken to offset Inside the Cage’s administrative costs.

“Inside the Cage allows us to positively impact student-athletes’ lives. Not just financially, but by also providing them with education and life skills they can use to be better equipped for the world, whether they become professional athletes or not,” explained Cyprien.

Alongside their NIL business, Inside the Cage also launched their own non-profit, Panther Territory. This organization is focused on community development in Miami, centered around sports. Through this initiative, Inside the Cage’s student athletes will run sport camps at local schools – all funded by the startup and its partners.

Learn more about how Inside the Cage is empowering our local student athletes by visiting their website, InsideTheCage.com.

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Riley Kaminer