Husker Athletics announces official partnership with NIL collective
Meet 1890 Nebraska, the official NIL collective of Husker Athletics.
LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - The University of Nebraska on Monday revealed a new partnership it hopes will make it easier for fans to support their Huskers.
Husker Athletics announced it will partner with 1890 Nebraska to make the initiative the school’s official NIL collective. Department officials say it will serve as a way to streamline the process of donating money to student-athletes, who are now allowed to profit off their own name, image and likeness.
The move comes as the landscape of college sports continues to shift toward a pay-to-win model that gives more power to student-athletes but, in turn, places more pressure on schools and their alumni to put forth the necessary resources to recruit and — perhaps more importantly in the age of the transfer portal — retain high-end talent.
“Nebraska has always been an innovator in collegiate athletics, whether it is in strength and conditioning, nutrition, and athletics performance facilities, and NIL is the latest frontier,” Nebraska Athletic Director Troy Dannen said in a press release Monday.
As part of the partnership, the university is implementing a points system in order to designate membership levels in the Husker Athletic Fund based on how much money an individual or family gives to 1890 Nebraska. Those wishing to receive tax deductibility can decline those priority points when they donate.
Members of the Husker Athletic Fund can receive benefits like priority seating, VIP experiences, and exclusive access at sporting events.
The athletic department assured that any money given to 1890 Nebraska goes directly to Husker student-athletes, and that donors are eligible for benefits and experiences put on by the collective itself.
“For the past couple of years, our ongoing work with the university has supported student-athletes and coaches, helping to recruit and retain top talent,” 1890 Nebraska CEO Carson Schott said in the release. “This deepened commitment to a united front will enhance our efforts further and take our support to the next level.”
In addition to the NIL collective, fans can still donate directly to the Husker Athletic Fund and even specific projects within the athletic department. For more information on how to donate, click here.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.
