A Sacred Heart University women’s lacrosse student-athlete claims the $10,000 grand prize after securing more than 475,000 votes
FAIRFIELD, CT, UNITED STATES, July 22, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Following millions of fan votes throughout its debut season and a nationwide reach of over 50 million people, NIL Star has named its first-ever champion.
NIL Star, created by www.NILTV.com, gathered millions of votes and engagement through its Instagram channel, @NILStar, and streaming platform.
Now, the inaugural NIL Star has made history.
Bella Calvanese, a student-athlete on Sacred Heart University’s women’s lacrosse team, secured the first title after receiving more than 475,000 fan votes over the course of the competition. She walks away with the $10,000 grand prize as the first champion of the nation’s first singing competition designed exclusively for college student-athletes.
Click here to see Bella’s winning reel.
NIL Star was built to highlight the remarkable abilities of student-athletes outside their sports, offering college athletes from across the nation a national stage to showcase their musical skills while strengthening their personal brands during the Name, Image and Likeness era.
The inaugural event included student-athletes representing colleges and universities nationwide, with contestants advancing through several rounds of competition before fans ultimately chose the first NIL Star champion.
“From the very beginning, our vision for NIL Star was to show the world that student-athletes are far more than the sports they play,” said Emily Cole, NIL TV co-founder and former NIL athlete. “The response to our inaugural competition exceeded every expectation. Millions of votes were cast, more than 50 million people were reached, and Bella’s victory represents the beginning of what we believe will become one of the premier platforms celebrating the incredible talents of college athletes.”
Building on this success, NIL TV is already expanding the franchise with the launch of NIL RAP STAR on August 1, 2026. This new competition, the nation’s first rap contest exclusively for college student-athletes, will continue the mission of spotlighting the extraordinary talents of student-athletes beyond the game.
Calvanese, an attacker on Sacred Heart University’s Division I women’s lacrosse team, impressed fans throughout the competition with her vocal performances while managing the responsibilities of being a collegiate student-athlete. In addition to the $10,000 grand prize, she will be featured across NIL TV’s platforms as the inaugural NIL Star champion.
The overwhelming response to NIL Star’s first season underscores the growing demand for opportunities that celebrate student-athletes beyond athletics. By blending the excitement of fan voting with the possibilities created through Name, Image and Likeness, NIL Star has launched a new national platform where college athletes can display talents that extend far beyond the field, court, track or pool.
About NIL Star:
NIL Star is the nation’s first singing competition created exclusively for college student-athletes. Produced by NIL TV, the competition celebrates student-athletes’ talents beyond sports by providing a national platform to showcase their voices while growing their personal brands in the Name, Image and Likeness era. Through millions of fan votes, nationwide participation and a social media reach exceeding 50 million people during its inaugural season, NIL Star is redefining how college athletes connect with audiences beyond competition.
Connect with NIL TV and NIL Star:
– NIL TV: www.NILTV.com
– NIL Star Instagram: @NILStar
– NIL TV Instagram: @NILTV
AARON CRISLER
CONDUIT MEDIA
+1 615-474-8673
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