Sling TV taps Beau Pribula and eight stars for NIL push
Sling TV has signed Virginia quarterback Beau Pribula and eight other college football standouts for its largest NIL campaign yet, built around the "Sling the Rock Challenge" and the slogan "Watch Football on YOUR Terms." The Aug. 26, 2026 deal promotes Sling's flexible streaming packages as the 2026 college football season kicks off.
Seven quarterbacks and an Oklahoma sibling duo will appear in social content through the opening weeks of the season. For fans weighing streaming options, the push signals how live TV services are using athlete partnerships to reach cord-cutters who want football without full cable bundles.
Key Takeaways
- Sling TV announced its largest-ever NIL campaign on Aug. 26, 2026, featuring nine college football players.
- Virginia QB Beau Pribula joins seven other quarterbacks and Oklahoma defenders Peyton and Eli Bowen in the "Sling the Rock Challenge."
- Athletes hit targets at 15, 25, and 50 yards on campus to promote Sling's flexible football viewing packages.
- Content rolls out on athletes' social accounts and Sling's digital channels during the season's opening weeks.
- The College Sports Company partnered with Sling on athlete deals and campaign production.
Who is in Sling TV's 2026 NIL campaign?
Sling TV named nine athletes for the nationwide push, calling the group a mix of Heisman contenders, proven leaders, emerging talent, and a standout sibling duo. The quarterbacks are Darian Mensah (Miami), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Kevin Jennings (SMU), Beau Pribula (Virginia), Bear Bachmeier (BYU), Kenny Minchey (Kentucky), and Faizon Brandon (Tennessee).
Oklahoma safety Peyton Bowen and cornerback Eli Bowen, brothers, round out the roster. SMU's Kevin Jennings told Yahoo Sports he was "honored" to be selected alongside quarterbacks from programs across the country.
What is the Sling the Rock Challenge?
At the center of the campaign is the "Sling the Rock Challenge," a quarterback skills competition filmed on each athlete's campus. Sling-branded targets were placed at 15, 25, and 50 yards, and players tried to hit them during video and photo shoots.
Pribula completed his shoot at Virginia's indoor facility during a day off in training camp, according to the Daily News-Record. Similar content from the other quarterbacks will appear on social media as Sling highlights its subscription passes aimed at football fans.
Why did Beau Pribula join the Sling TV deal?
Pribula told the Daily News-Record that he picks and chooses among NIL offers, but this one was "a no-brainer" because "it was a challenge." The transfer quarterback, who started at Penn State and Missouri before arriving at Virginia, said competing against other top signal-callers is what makes the campaign unique.
"It's going against other quarterbacks around the country and I'm fortunate to do something cool like this," Pribula said. "It's why NIL was a thing to begin with. To do something fun." He makes his first start for the Cavaliers on Saturday against NC State.
How does this fit the broader streaming market?
Seth Van Sickel, Sling TV's senior vice president of video and streaming services, said the campaign shows athletes and fans can "approach the game on their own terms." Sling is pitching flexibility and affordability for following college football all season.
For viewers comparing services, the partnership is another sign that streamers are leaning on star power and short-form social content to stand out. More streaming and TV alerts are landing as the fall sports calendar heats up. Full details are in EchoStar's official release.