Socios, the blockchain-based fan engagement platform, has made its first entry into US sports through a partnership with sports media and marketing technology firm Playfly Sports.
Through the tie-up, Socios will launch the country's first-ever fan token partnerships with five university athletic programs: Louisiana State University (LSU), the University of Maryland, Michigan State University, Penn State University and Texas A&M University.
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The agreements, completed by Fan Token Management (FTM) US, part of The Chiliz Group, in partnership with Playfly Sports, are claimed to be the first of this kind in the United States and the first deployment of fan tokens in college sports.
Socios.com plans to expand the program to 30 university athletic departments over the next 12 months.
A proportion of revenue generated from fan token sales will go directly toward supporting student-athletes across college’s entire athletic department through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) programs.
Alexandre Dreyfus, CEO and founder of Chiliz and Socios.com, said: “The United States is the most important sports market in the world, and college sports represents one of the most passionate and culturally significant fandoms anywhere.
“These are the first fan tokens in U.S. college sports and represent not only a new frontier for fan tokens but also a new iteration of the established asset class. LSU, Maryland, Michigan State, Penn State and Texas A&M represent some of the most passionate fan communities in global sports, and fan tokens will provide fans, alumni and supporters everywhere with a new way to connect, engage and be rewarded for their fandom.
“At the same time, a meaningful proportion of fan token revenue will support NIL programs, creating a new source of funding for student-athletes and college athletics.”
The launch of the first US fan tokens follows joint guidance from the SEC and CFTC in March 2026, which cited Socios.com as evidence and categorized its fan tokens as digital collectibles and digital tools.
Fan tokens are utility tokens designed to provide fans with the ability to directly support their schools’ athletic programs. Through fan tokens, supporters can vote on fan-focused decisions, participate in exclusive experiences, unlock unique benefits, and connect with their favorite teams.
The universities join a network of more than 70 major sports organizations partnered with Socios, including European soccer clubs Arsenal, AS Roma, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, FC Barcelona, Atlético de Madrid, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, Flamengo, and the national teams of Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Belgium.
In strict compliance with NCAA and conference rules, these NIL activations will be fully administered by Playfly Sports. Socios.com’s role is to contribute the fan token revenue, rather than operate an NIL fund.
Craig Sloan, CEO of Playfly Sports, said: “Our university partners are always looking for innovative ways to engage their fans and create new commercial opportunities that positively impact the fan experience.
“This program accomplishes both objectives, all while introducing a new revenue stream that can help support student-athletes through NIL initiatives. We believe many more universities will want to be part of this ecosystem as it grows.”
