College athletes getting NIL deals? That’s yesterday’s headline. We’ve seen the merch drops, the car commercials, the energy drink promos. Cute. But while most players are stacking quick checks, Seth Trimble just pulled a move that feels like it belongs to the future. Born in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and raised in Menomonee Falls just outside Milwaukee, Trimble made a name for himself in high school basketball before committing to the University of North Carolina in 2022. Now, at 21, the UNC guard has become the youngest Ben & Jerry’s franchise owner in history. That’s not a sponsorship. That’s not an endorsement. That’s ownership. Real equity. While other athletes are busy deciding which sneaker deal looks best on Instagram, Trimble bought into one of the most recognizable ice cream brands in the world.
The difference is massive. Most NIL money is fast food, it looks good, tastes good, but disappears quick. What Trimble just did? That’s a full course investment. He flipped NIL into ROI, turning his name, image, and likeness into a revenue generating asset. This is financial literacy in motion. He’s the blueprint for what’s possible when athletes stop thinking like influencers and start thinking like CEOs. Trimble didn’t just want to be the face of a brand. He wanted to be the boss of one.
Of course, it’s not all sprinkles and waffle cones. Running a franchise is no small feat. Payroll, staff management, supply chains, operations, these are challenges most 21 year olds can’t imagine juggling on top of practices, classes, and game nights. But that’s what makes this move bold. NIL gave athletes the chance to monetize their likeness. Trimble took that opportunity and turned it into a license for ownership. He’s proving that this new era of college athletics isn’t just about securing a bag, but about building something that lasts longer than a contract.
And that’s the bigger story here. Seth Trimble just raised the bar. He cracked the code on how NIL can be more than quick cash and clout, it can be the foundation for generational wealth. Today it’s ice cream. Tomorrow it might be tech startups, real estate, or fashion houses. Whatever it is, Trimble made one thing clear: if you’re not turning NIL into equity, you’re leaving power on the table. While others flex their NIL chains, he’s stacking assets that will outlive his highlight reels. That’s not just smart. That’s revolutionary. And the rest of the NIL world just got put on notice.