Gamecocks Announce First-of-its-Kind Category Sponsorship

Private Aviation Expert NICHOLAS AIR Commits to Multi-Year Integrated Agreement

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Aug. 26, 2022) – South Carolina Athletics and its multimedia rightsholder, LEARFIELD’s Gamecock Sports Properties, announced the addition of NICHOLAS AIR to the Gamecocks’ corporate partner family.

The multi-year agreement marks the first category sponsorship of its kind for Carolina, as NICHOLAS AIR will assume the “Exclusive Private Aviation Partner of the Gamecocks” designation. The sponsorship is in effect now, coinciding with the upcoming 2022-23 college athletics season.

NICHOLAS AIR, known for providing the most innovative, efficient, and customizable options for private air travel, was founded in 1997. It has evolved from a small private aviation company to becoming a reputable industry leader in newest owned and operated aircraft, customizable jet card programs, and highly personalized service experience.

“We are proud to be the Exclusive Private Aviation Partner of the South Carolina Gamecocks, tying together two great brands with a long heritage of success. The quality of education and athletics at South Carolina closely matches the standards and quality that we value here at NICHOLAS AIR,” said NICHOLAS AIR Founder/CEO Nicholas Correnti. “To those affiliated with the University and its athletic program, they’ll find themselves a company who values family, has a stellar reputation for quality, and an unmatched commitment to the pillars of Southern hospitality that have made NICHOLAS AIR’s service culture an industry leader.”

As part of its Gamecock sponsorship, NICHOLAS AIR will receive significant brand visibility through in-venue signage at Williams-Brice Stadium, social and digital exposure through official Athletics’ platforms, and fan connections via suite holder gifts. It also has use of approved South Carolina marks.

“We welcome NICHOLAS AIR to the Gamecock family – not only as a new sponsor, but the first of its kind category sponsor here at Carolina,” said University of South Carolina Deputy Athletics Directors/External Operations Eric Nichols. “We certainly appreciate their decision to align with the Gamecocks, our incredible fanbase and loyal alumni. We’re excited to have NICHOLAS AIR as a distinct member of our corporate partner family.”

NICHOLAS AIR, headquartered in Oxford, Miss., owns and operates one of the largest fleets of Phenom 100, CJ3+, Phenom 300/E, Citation Latitude, and Challenger 300/350 aircraft, making them available anywhere in North America with as little as 24 hours’ notice. The aircraft, which have an average age of under five years, are backed by a renowned reputation for world-class customer service standards that extends from the Members Services staff and out to the flight line. For over 25 years, NICHOLAS AIR has been the home of the Most Refined Set of Private Flyers and now, the Exclusive Private Aviation Partner of the Gamecocks.

The new relationship between NICHOLAS AIR and South Carolina Athletics was secured on behalf of the university by Gamecock Sports Properties, LEARFIELD’s Columbia-based team dedicated to South Carolina. LEARFIELD is a media and technology services company in intercollegiate athletics. The company unlocks the value of sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform with innovative content and commerce solutions.