THE SPORT (AND BRAND) REVOLUTIONIZING HIGH SCHOOL NIL. -— -— Hoka, the Santa Barbara, California-based brand, launched a new NIL initiative aimed at revolutionizing trail running in particular for young athletes. As part of a partnership with a trio of superstar high school runners, HOKA is aligning these athletes with the brand’s elite HOKA team members to provide mentorship and host them at pinnacle trail moments. HOKA began by announcing three key signings in the U.S. high school market, including one of the nation’s top young trail runners, Ella Hagen, a rising senior with Summit High School in Colorado. Two more athletes, Mountain Vista High School junior Benji Anderson and recent University of Oregon 2024 signee Anthony Fast Horse, are also part of the inaugural group. HOKA will begin by partnering these athletes with professional mentors and access to some of trail running’s Super Bowl moments. The brand also signed three cross-country runners at the University of Color...