Eat Well Live Well

Emma Silberman and Hope Rose are two University of Maryland student-athletes who recently partnered with Cava, the Mediterranean restaurant chain. 

Silberman, a gymnastics student-athlete, and Rose, a field hockey student-athlete, were able to represent the company through a one-time NIL compensation agreement.   

The two student-athletes discussed their partnership with Cava in a Q&A with umterps.com.

How did this partnership come to fruition? 

Emma Silberman: “There’s this NIL app called Postgame, and that’s where the deal got done. There are many different opportunities on the app. It's similar to Opendorse. You just apply for various deals, and I applied for the Cava deal and a couple of other deals. The company approves your application, so they'll look through your socials and everything like that. The people on Postgame are very communicative, and they tell you what you need to do. You can even negotiate with them.”

Hope Rose: “I go through a lot of different apps for NIL and this one was Postgame. Basically, they send a message and it's like, ‘Here's an opportunity.’ Then you click it if you want to opt in and enter your Instagram. You basically wait until they send you a message saying that you’re in, and I was added.” 

What made you want to partner with them?

ES: “I actually remember when NIL first became a thing. I was super excited and I had always loved going to Cava and Chipotle in the plaza that's right across from my apartment. My teammates and I DM’d Chipotle and Cava even though we didn’t think they would answer. When I saw that there was a deal for Cava on Postgame, I just applied and was happy to be chosen because they can be pretty selective.” 

HR: “I've seen them work with other athletes and I just thought it was a really cool experience because Cava is a well-known chain and it's right on campus. So I thought, why not? I go there after practice quite a bit. It sounded like a good opportunity.”

What were you required to do as part of the deal?

ES: “The original deal was an Instagram in-feed post, an Instagram real and then an Instagram story. I asked if I could do a TikTok instead of the reel. I thought posting on TikTok, where I have a larger platform, would bring in more business to them.” 

HR: “The requirements were to post one picture on my story, which involved the link that they sent me that links to all the bowls that they have. Then I had to create some type of reel that just involves you going to Cava, seeing what you get and then posting basically everything you get in your bowl. Finally, an Instagram post with at least two pictures.” 

What’s your go-to order at Cava?

ES: “I love anything spicy that they have. I love their harissa chicken, so sometimes I'll mix up my bowl, but I love the spicy chicken and the spicy sauces. I probably go at least twice a month, and their chips are so good.”

HR: “I do arugula and white rice as my base. Then I go with chicken and then corn. Pickles, I always have to put pickles in there. I also now get their balsamic dressing on top. The first time I ever tried that it was really good.”

What has your experience with NIL been like? 

ES: “My experience with it has been great. I feel like I've been trying to take every opportunity in front of me. I know that this opportunity is unique, and my freshman year, NIL wasn't here. It really does add to what I've been doing in college and provides me with more memories and more experiences. I feel like I’ve been bringing new opportunities to other people on my team and helping out my coaches.” 

HR: “I've had the opportunity to do a lot which is really great. I've had some with really big companies, for example, Free People, and others that are smaller brands. NIL is just a really great experience to be able to share the products and then get products that I've sometimes never heard of. It's a great experience just to get their name out there and get my name out there with different companies.”