TOWSON, Md. — A family-owned Baltimore bagel shop is making waves in the college sports world by offering student-athletes something different than cash: free food and genuine mentorship.

Bagel Works, owned by Samantha Jean Cola and her husband for 26 years, recently signed their first female athlete through a Name, Image and Likeness partnership with Towson University women's basketball senior India Johnston.

WATCH: Local bagel shop partners with Towson athletes through creative NIL deal Local bagel shop partners with Towson athletes through creative NIL deal

Unlike traditional NIL deals that focus on monetary compensation, Bagel Works took a different approach that reflects their values as a small business.

"We took a different approach because we're a small business. We don't have

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