CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Sept. 30, 2026) — Carolina Athletics and Roam Technologies are launching a new line of officially licensed Carolina drinkware built around a different way to bring a product to fans: with UNC student-athletes helping introduce it from day one.
The first Roam x UNC product drop launches Sept. 30 through UNC’s student-athlete creators, who will share the bottles with their audiences and help build the brand through original content. The launch brings together licensed Carolina designs, a product fans can use every day, and a creator program that gives student-athletes a direct role in how the brand reaches its first customers.
“Roam gives our student-athletes an opportunity to be part of building something from the ground up,” said UNC deputy athletic director & chief revenue officer Rick Barakat. “They are helping launch a new Carolina licensed product to fans through their own voices and creativity. That connection between our athletes, our fans and an emerging brand is what makes this partnership unique and exciting.”
Roam Technologies began introducing its ambassador program to Carolina student-athletes ahead of the launch. At a recent Roam event, more than 90 student-athletes learned about the brand, explored content creation and TikTok Shop and had the opportunity to create content with Roam and TikTok creators. The Sept. 30 drop marks the first public step in a program designed to grow alongside its athlete community.
“We’re building Roam with student-athletes at the center of the launch,” said Sunjay Guleria, Roam co-founder and CEO. “Their perspective and creativity will shape how fans discover Roam and our co-branded UNC products. Carolina is the right place to start because of the connection its athletes have with a passionate fan base.”
The launch will continue during Carolina’s Oct. 3 football game against Notre Dame. Roam will bring a limited number of bottles to Kenan Stadium and connect with fans in the Coca-Cola Fan Zone and at other locations throughout the stadium.
The first release is the beginning of a series of product drops featuring new Carolina designs that fans have not seen before. Details on future designs and availability will be announced through Roam Technologies and its student-athlete creators.
The licensed product program was developed in collaboration with the UNC’s exclusive brand licensing agent, CLC, the nation’s leading collegiate licensing company. Roam is also a sponsor of UNC Athletics through Tar Heel Sports Properties, the locally based division of college sports media and technology company Learfield, which represents the University’s athletics multimedia rights.
Icon Sports Ventures played an integral role in forming the partnership between Roam and Carolina Athletics. “Roam’s ability to put student-athletes at the center of the partnership and connect them with the fan base is what makes this a strong fit for Carolina Athletics,” said DC Arendas, managing partner of Icon Sports Ventures. “We’re excited to support the impact this partnership will have on Carolina student-athletes as it expands.”
About Roam Technologies™
Roam™ is a hydration innovation and technology company that makes reusable water bottles for people who especially love carbonated and flavored beverages. Its Ultimate Carbonation Bottle™ has a SmoothRelease™ lid that reduces pops and sprays with carbonated beverages and a CleanRinse™ interior that, thanks to proprietary MirrorTech™ technology, easily rinses clean – drastically reducing nasty smells, odors and even flavor carryover from drink to drink.
Roam will be releasing new innovation built around the biggest hydration trends – sparkling, flavored and functional – all from one convenient reusable bottle.
Roam proudly develops and launches new products with student-athletes, starting with UNC and Carolina Athletics. Discover more at roamwater.com.
About UNC Athletics
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, offers 28 intercollegiate varsity sports and is a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tar Heels have won 63 national championships and a total of 301 ACC Championships. The department’s mission: to educate and inspire through athletics.
About CLC
CLC is the nation’s leading collegiate trademark licensing and marketing company, representing nearly 800 collegiate brands, including universities, conferences, bowls, the NCAA, the College Football Playoff, the Heisman Trophy, and other top collegiate properties. With a network of over 4,000 licensed manufacturers and relationships with more than 100,000 national, regional, and local retailers nationwide, the company is uniquely positioned to deliver fan connections and brand visibility for institutions through data-driven, customized solutions that include impactful licensed merchandise strategies and innovative marketing platforms to navigate the ever-evolving consumer and retail marketplace. Founded in 1981, CLC is a part of Learfield, the leading media and technology company powering college athletics.
About Learfield
Learfield is the leading media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield’s presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative revenue generation solutions, student-athlete marketing initiatives, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors’ Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
Media Contacts
UNC Athletics: Kevin Best, kevin.best@unc.edu, 919-619-7020
CLC: Tammy Purves, CLC, tammy.purves@clc.com, 770-799-3275.