McBride Homes Announces First NIL Partnership with Illinois Basketball Player Ethan Brown

Missouri’s largest homebuilder launches “Take Your Shot” campaign ahead of the McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights Game, bringing basketball and homebuilding together through digital and social media activations.

ST. LOUIS, MO. (October 13, 2026) — McBride Homes, Missouri’s largest homebuilder, today announced its first name, image and likeness (NIL) partnership with Ethan Brown, a freshman guard for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a standout basketball talent from Rolla, Missouri. The partnership marks a new chapter in McBride Homes’ longstanding connection to college basketball and will feature a creative digital and social media campaign celebrating ambition, hometown pride, and the drive to succeed.

Titled “Take Your Shot,” the campaign will feature Brown in a series of original videos that blend basketball skills with the homebuilding process, bringing fans behind the scenes at McBride communities throughout the Missouri region. From trick shots to unexpected appearances on the homebuilding site, the campaign will showcase Brown’s personality and competitive spirit while highlighting the people, places and possibilities that make Missouri home.

The partnership builds on McBride Homes’ deep ties to college basketball through its role as title sponsor of the annual McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights Game, the celebrated rivalry between the University of Illinois and the University of Missouri. McBride Homes has sponsored the game since 2021.

Brown will return to his home state on December 20 when Illinois faces Missouri in the annual Braggin’ Rights matchup. McBride Homes will also partner with Illinois players Tomislav Ivisic, Zvonimir Ivisic and Quentin Coleman on a limited basis in December, with special appearances and promotional content planned around the rivalry game.

“We wanted our first NIL partnership to feel like McBride: local, personal and proud of where we’re from, and Braggin’ Rights is one of those events that brings people together year after year,” said Jake Eilermann, CEO of McBride Homes and alumni of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. “Our partnership with Ethan gives us a fun, fresh way to connect with my alma mater and fans while celebrating the Braggin’ Rights history between Missouri and Illinois. We’re excited to bring ‘Take Your Shot’ to life and can’t wait for the big game this December.”

A native of Rolla, Brown established himself as one of the area’s top basketball players at Rolla High School, earning all-state recognition and becoming the program’s all-time leading scorer before joining the Fighting Illini as part of the 2026 freshman class. His journey from a Missouri hometown to Big Ten basketball reflects the determination and drive at the heart of the “Take Your Shot” campaign.

The partnership also reflects McBride Homes’ continued investment in new markets across Missouri. In Rolla, the company is celebrating the success of the Highlands neighborhood which has exceeded 30+ sales this year. The community will ultimately include 587 homesites across three villages: Highlands Commons, Highlands Estates and Highlands Manors. The community features a variety of home designs, along with onsite amenities including playgrounds, a pavilion and a sports court.

Additional details and campaign content will be shared across McBride Homes’ digital and social media channels in the lead-up to the McBride Homes Braggin’ Rights Game on December 20.

For more information about McBride Homes, call (314) 888-HOME or visit www.mcbridehomes.com.