Key Takeaways
- • Seven Seven Six, the venture capital firm founded by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, has acquired ONIT, an officially-licensed college sports trading card company that produces cards for student-athletes across hundreds of collegiate teams.
- • ONIT's portfolio spans major collegiate athletic programs including Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, and UCLA, positioning the company within a licensed collegiate sports merchandise ecosystem.
- • The acquisition aligns with Seven Seven Six's stated investment thesis of backing women's and emerging sports, complementing existing portfolio positions in Chelsea FC Women (WSL), Angel City FC (NWSL), Los Angeles Volleyball (LOVB), LA Golf Club (TGL & WTGL), and ATHLOS Track and Field.
- • The deal reflects continued venture capital interest in sports collectibles and student-athlete monetization channels, particularly as NIL (name, image, likeness) regulations continue evolving across U.S. collegiate athletics.
Summary
The acquisition extends Seven Seven Six's portfolio within sports and entertainment assets. The firm has established a pattern of investment in women's sports and emerging athletic properties, currently holding stakes in Chelsea FC Women (WSL), founding control of Angel City FC (NWSL), Los Angeles Volleyball (LOVB), LA Golf Club (TGL & WTGL), and ATHLOS Track and Field. This acquisition of ONIT signals the firm's expansion into the collegiate sports collectibles and student-athlete monetization space.
The deal occurs within a broader context of evolving NIL (name, image, likeness) regulations in collegiate athletics and growing interest in alternative revenue streams for student-athletes. ONIT's officially-licensed model positions it to capture demand from collectors and fans seeking merchandise tied to specific student-athletes and their respective institutions.
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