CHICAGO, Ill. (April 28, 2026) - Chicago State University Athletics has entered into a new multimedia rights partnership with Paddle Agency, naming the firm its exclusive sponsorship agency. The agreement positions Paddle Agency as CSU's MMR partner and marks a significant step in the department's long-term
strategy to elevate brand visibility, expand revenue opportunities, and strengthen corporate engagement across the Chicago region and beyond.
As part of the agreement, Paddle Agency will lead the development and execution of a comprehensive corporate sponsorship strategy for Chicago State Athletics. This includes building a long-term sales approach that aligns with CSU's brand vision, identifying and engaging prospective corporate partners, and securing new sponsorship relationships that elevate the department's reach and resources. Paddle Agency will also support the creation and positioning of CSU's sponsorship inventory, assist in structuring partnership agreements, and work closely with the university to ensure smooth contract execution and seamless integration of partners across all activation touchpoints.
"This partnership is an important step forward for Chicago State Athletics," said
Dr. Monique Carroll, Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "As we continue to execute our vision, it is essential that we align with partners who believe in our mission and the future we are building. Paddle Agency brings a relationship driven approach and the expertise to help us expand our reach, create new opportunities for our student-athletes, and strengthen meaningful connections across the Chicagoland business community."
Paddle Agency specializes in innovative sponsorship strategy and revenue development for collegiate and professional sports properties. Their work emphasizes data-driven insights, creative brand alignment, and long-term partnership value.
"We are excited to partner with Chicago State Athletics at such a pivotal moment in their growth," said Johnathan Fisher founder of Paddle Agency. "CSU has a compelling story and a strong foundation. We look forward to helping them build a corporate partnership program that reflects the energy and momentum of the university."
The partnership is effective immediately.
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About Chicago State Athletics
Chicago State University competes in NCAA Division I athletics, offering a wide range of sports programs that emphasize excellence, integrity, and student success. With the addition of football, CSU continues to expand opportunities for student-athletes while strengthening its role as a hub for community pride and engagement. For more information, visit GoCSUCougars.com.
About Paddle Agency
Based in Franklin, TN, Paddle Agency was formed in 2018 by industry veteran Johnathan Fisher. Paddle is a new kind of sponsorship agency – a full-service agency with the traditional offerings, but one that goes beyond connecting brands with sponsors to activating those partnerships, creating relevant concepts and capturing them along the way. For more info, visit www.paddleagency.com.
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