McBride Homes Signed Athlete Ethan Brown for NIL Deal
The Missouri-based homebuilder partnered with the University of Illinois freshman for a new campaign.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Basketball
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Missouri-based homebuilder McBride Homes has entered an NIL partnership with Ethan Brown, a University of Illinois basketball player from Rolla. The campaign, titled Take Your Shot, will feature digital content highlighting basketball skills alongside the homebuilding process.
Why it matters
The company aims to leverage the partnership to connect with basketball fans and celebrate the storied rivalry between the University of Missouri and the University of Illinois.
The Highlands community in Rolla has seen over 30 home sales this year out of a total planned capacity of 587 homesites. The new NIL campaign follows the company's long-standing sponsorship of the Braggin' Rights Game, which began in 2021.
The players
Ethan Brown
He is a freshman basketball player for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a native of Rolla, Missouri.
McBride Homes
This is a Missouri-based homebuilder that has served as the sponsor for the annual Braggin' Rights Game since 2021.
Tomislav Ivisic
He is a collegiate basketball player who will partner with the homebuilder starting in December.
Zvonimir Ivisic
He is an athlete slated to join the company's promotional campaign in December.
Quentin Coleman
He is an athlete partner who will be featured in upcoming brand content alongside other collegiate players.
The details
Ethan Brown and three other athletes, including Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic, and Quentin Coleman, will participate in campaign content across social media channels. The promotional videos will blend individual basketball talent with various stages of the homebuilding industry.
Timeline
McBride Homes began sponsoring the Braggin' Rights Game in 2021.
Ethan Brown joined the Fighting Illini roster in 2026.
Illinois is scheduled to play Missouri in the Braggin' Rights game on December 20, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This partnership follows the rise of NIL partnerships in college athletics, marking a strategic shift for regional brands to capitalize on collegiate sports popularity. It aligns the company with high-profile athletes as they prepare for the high-stakes Braggin' Rights rivalry game.
The deal ensures Ethan Brown will be featured in regional marketing materials leading up to the December 20, 2026, contest against Missouri. The campaign highlights local real estate growth in Rolla while targeting fans of the two competing universities.
The takeaway
NIL deals have become a primary tool for local companies to secure brand ambassadors within collegiate basketball. Fans can expect to see more athlete-led advertising campaigns as regional brands attempt to reach university supporters during key rivalry matchups.
What happens next
Ethan Brown and the University of Illinois are scheduled to play the University of Missouri in the Braggin' Rights game on December 20, 2026.
Further reading
For more news on the sport, visit our Missouri Basketball section.
More information
To learn more about the builder, visit the McBride Homes corporate website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Phelpscountyfocus.
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