NSN NIL: Maddy Vennard Makes NSN History as First Female NIL Athlete Ahead of DPL International Trip

Jonathan Turner
Mar 25
3 min read

NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com

CASCO, MI — National Soccer Network (NSN) is proud to announce a historic milestone as Maddy Vennard becomes the first female athlete to sign a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnership with Premier Media Group (PMG).

The 16-year-old midfielder, recently selected for the DPL International team, will represent NSN and Sportz Nation TV as a content creator during her upcoming trip to Lisbon, Portugal—marking a major step forward in NSN’s commitment to elevating female athletes in the digital sports media space.

A New Era for Athlete Storytelling

Through the partnership, Vennard will take fans behind the scenes of one of the most exciting opportunities in youth soccer. From match preparation and training sessions to travel experiences and team bonding moments, her content will provide an authentic, player-first perspective of competing internationally.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXz-IXWEhjQ

WATCH MADDY ON NATIONAL SOCCER NETWORK

As part of the agreement, Vennard will produce eight short-form videos, documenting her journey throughout the trip. These daily-style recaps will be featured across NSN and Sportz Nation TV platforms, giving audiences an inside look at life on an international roster.

“This is exactly what NSN is about—telling real stories through the eyes of the athletes,” said Jonathan Turner, Founder of National Soccer Network. “Maddy represents everything we look for: talent, resilience, and authenticity. We’re excited to help share her journey with a national audience.”

More Than Just a Player

Vennard’s selection to the DPL International team already places her among the top young players in the country, but her impact goes far beyond the field.

Known for her versatility in the midfield and her high-level experience in the Development Player League (DPL), she has developed into a complete player capable of controlling the game in multiple roles. Her journey, however, has also been shaped by adversity—overcoming two knee surgeries and emerging stronger both mentally and physically.

Now, she steps into a new role—not just as an athlete, but as a storyteller and ambassador for the next generation of players.

Elevating the Women’s Game

This partnership reflects a broader mission for Premier Media Group: to expand visibility and opportunity within women’s sports.

By placing Vennard at the forefront of this initiative, NSN continues to build a platform where female athletes are not only covered—but empowered to share their own stories.

“Maddy being our first female NIL athlete is just the beginning,” Turner added. “There’s so much talent and so many stories in the girls game that deserve this level of exposure.”

"I’m really excited to join the NSN family and represent my team and my country in Lisbon. It’s an amazing opportunity and I can’t wait to share the journey", said Maddy.

Partnership Details

As part of the NIL agreement:

Vennard will create eight (8) short-form videos during the Lisbon trip
Content will highlight training, matches, travel, and daily life abroad
NSN and Sportz Nation TV will distribute the content across their platforms
Vennard will collaborate and reshare content across her personal social channels

As Maddy Vennard prepares to take the field in Lisbon, she’s also stepping into history—leading a new wave of athlete-driven storytelling and setting the standard for what’s next in the NSN era.