Altius Hires
Tulane Athletics Introduces First-Of-Its-Kind Athlete Revenue Strategy and NIL Team
Sep 18, 2025 | General
NEW ORLEANS (September 18, 2025) – Today, Tulane announces the appointment of Nik Shah as the first-ever Executive General Manager (EGM), Erin Howard as Athlete Marketing Manager (AMM), and Ethan Hudak '25 as Associate NIL Business Development Manager for Tulane Athletics. The new in-house positions are part of an expanded collaboration between Tulane and Altius to bring elite-level NIL and athlete revenue strategy directly to campus.
Shah, as the strategic leader, and Howard will serve as Altius employees and Hudak will serve as a Tulane Sports Properties employee embedded within Tulane Athletics, collaborating with Tulane personnel on all NIL and athlete revenue initiatives. Together, the team will bring a comprehensive, athlete-first approach to building, activating, and sustaining opportunities for Green Wave athletes.
"Tulane is deeply committed to supporting our student-athletes in every aspect of their experience," said David Harris, Ben Weiner Director of Athletics Chair at Tulane. "Bringing this expanded team to campus with Altius reflects our belief that this new era is not just an opportunity; it is a responsibility. We are focused on making sure our athletes are equipped, protected, and positioned to succeed, and this unprecedented move demonstrates that."Â
"This is a statement move by Tulane amidst an evolving collegiate athletics landscape," said Andrew Donovan, President of ASP College at Altius Sports Partners. "Nik brings NIL expertise and consulting experience across every major conference. His leadership and Erin's experience with athletes demonstrate Tulane's commitment to elite athlete support in the NIL and revenue sharing era."Â
Shah joins Altius after nearly five years at Huron Consulting Group, where he served as the firm's NIL subject matter expert in intercollegiate athletics practice. He led strategy engagements across the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and more, advising universities on revenue generation, department operations, NIL modeling, and stakeholder strategy.
At Tulane, Shah will work closely with university leadership to design and collaborate on a sustainable NIL and athlete revenue strategy aligned with institutional values and educate and support internal and external stakeholders across the athletics ecosystem.Â
Howard will serve as a hands-on resource to ensure NIL campaigns are executed smoothly and that athletes receive the training and support they need. Hudak will focus on expanding NIL integrated commercial opportunities across local, regional, and national markets.
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About Altius Sports Partners
 Since its inception in 2020, Altius Sports Partners (Altius), now backed by underdog & company, has become a trusted strategic advisor to more than 40 Division I collegiate athletics programs, including nearly half of the P4. Through a unique blend of data-driven, creative, and practical strategic guidance, ASP College equips campus leaders to navigate the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics with confidence and precision. Additionally, ASP Brands helps blue-chip brands like Verizon and Powerade develop and execute their college sports strategies and campaigns.
Shah, as the strategic leader, and Howard will serve as Altius employees and Hudak will serve as a Tulane Sports Properties employee embedded within Tulane Athletics, collaborating with Tulane personnel on all NIL and athlete revenue initiatives. Together, the team will bring a comprehensive, athlete-first approach to building, activating, and sustaining opportunities for Green Wave athletes.
"Tulane is deeply committed to supporting our student-athletes in every aspect of their experience," said David Harris, Ben Weiner Director of Athletics Chair at Tulane. "Bringing this expanded team to campus with Altius reflects our belief that this new era is not just an opportunity; it is a responsibility. We are focused on making sure our athletes are equipped, protected, and positioned to succeed, and this unprecedented move demonstrates that."Â
"This is a statement move by Tulane amidst an evolving collegiate athletics landscape," said Andrew Donovan, President of ASP College at Altius Sports Partners. "Nik brings NIL expertise and consulting experience across every major conference. His leadership and Erin's experience with athletes demonstrate Tulane's commitment to elite athlete support in the NIL and revenue sharing era."Â
Shah joins Altius after nearly five years at Huron Consulting Group, where he served as the firm's NIL subject matter expert in intercollegiate athletics practice. He led strategy engagements across the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and more, advising universities on revenue generation, department operations, NIL modeling, and stakeholder strategy.
"Tulane Sports Properties is excited to further partner with Tulane Athletics to help maximize NIL opportunities. The emphasis on NIL-enhanced partnerships will serve our student-athletes well and give our local, regional, and national corporate partners new ways to promote their businesses," said Steven Stroud, General Manager of Tulane Sports Properties.
Howard joins Altius after serving on the women's basketball staff at Rice University. Previously, she worked in inside sales with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, where she found her love for New Orleans. Hudak returns to Tulane after earning his MBA in Finance and Analytics from Tulane earlier in the year. The football letterman and former team captain was a Campbell Award (NCAA Academic Heisman) semi-finalist in 2024 and competed in 66 consecutive games for the Green Wave.ÂAt Tulane, Shah will work closely with university leadership to design and collaborate on a sustainable NIL and athlete revenue strategy aligned with institutional values and educate and support internal and external stakeholders across the athletics ecosystem.Â
Howard will serve as a hands-on resource to ensure NIL campaigns are executed smoothly and that athletes receive the training and support they need. Hudak will focus on expanding NIL integrated commercial opportunities across local, regional, and national markets.
###
About Altius Sports Partners
 Since its inception in 2020, Altius Sports Partners (Altius), now backed by underdog & company, has become a trusted strategic advisor to more than 40 Division I collegiate athletics programs, including nearly half of the P4. Through a unique blend of data-driven, creative, and practical strategic guidance, ASP College equips campus leaders to navigate the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics with confidence and precision. Additionally, ASP Brands helps blue-chip brands like Verizon and Powerade develop and execute their college sports strategies and campaigns.
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