A NIL Collective for Basketball - It's a Shame Syracuse Doesn't Have One

[richmondcuse03]

For whales, you need a collective with:

• Business bank account
• Multiple methods for funding it (wire, ACH, Check, CC, etc.)
• Intermediary handlers for player/agent negotiations and school/program communication on player targets and funding available
• Contract lawyers/Legal services, for contract writeup/finalization
• Clearinghouse support to meet all compliance requirements
• Marketing support for NIL special fundraising events, donation promotions and scheduling, digital advertising prospecting, canvasing, and re-marketing, email and sms marketing and auto-renewal donations/retention, etc .

Once you have all that, expanding an arm to take smaller donations from fans is a no-brainer (front-facing donor website and donor app). I would think that SU fanbase size could garner between $500K - $1 mil in smaller fan donations if done right year 1. Just a conservative guess but not peanuts.

The real question is do we develop that business structure in-house or partner with 3rd party services for that structure? (we've already been burned once when we did it with SANIL, so there is precedent to consider more control and less reliance on 3rd party operators for this.)

Also, FWIW, reading between the lines, SANIL was the most "cost-effective" 3rd party collective service available and it turned out their revenue stream and ROI model was not sustainable, so going 3rd party with the cheapest option has risks. Lesson hopefully learned.

They never had a business model or plan. They were banking on content. You don’t need to provide a bunch of stuff in return. It was a bad model. They had administrative costs. It should be a bare bones system with perks based on your levels. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel IMO. It should be run lean and if you want content and perks, leverage Newhouse kids. We have tons of interns who will do it for expertise.

 

[kingtidge]

They never had a business model or plan. They were banking on content. You don’t need to provide a bunch of stuff in return. It was a bad model. They had administrative costs. It should be a bare bones system with perks based on your levels. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel IMO. It should be run lean and if you want content and perks, leverage Newhouse kids. We have tons of interns who will do it for expertise.

With a viable donation website and app in place, every STH and fan that watches Cuse games should be getting targeted ads in social media to "donate now", donate now emails and sms msgs and renewal retention msgs, etc. Link donation tiers to the ticketing loyalty program and perks. It's not rocket science, but coordinated digital marketing that is likely outside the school kid level of support exclusively. Have some of them involved in internships? Absolutely. But professional marketing staff/services will be needed to do it right and not half-arsed.

I have high hopes Blair already gets all this and will be coming up with a similar, effective business plan for structuring and assisting collectives synergistically.

 

[richmondcuse03]

With a viable donation website and app in place, every STH and fan that watches Cuse games should be getting targeted ads in social media to "donate now", donate now emails and sms msgs and renewal retention msgs, etc. Link donation tiers to the ticketing loyalty program and perks. It's not rocket science, but coordinated digital marketing that is likely outside the school kid level of support exclusively. Have some of them involved in internships? Absolutely. But professional marketing staff/services will be needed to do it right and not half-arsed.

I have high hopes Blair already gets all this and will be coming up with a similar, effective business plan for structuring and assisting collectives synergistically.

Of course, I think even starting small with perks to each tier, building up to better ones (practice access once or twice a year, autographed photos, a meet and great, etc.). Lots of ways to do this and add on revenue. If you get enough interest, you can then dedicate more people to the effort and increase the retention rates, improve marketing, etc.

We run idiotic campaigns like "Every Cuse Click Counts" that accomplish nothing. We could have different collectives with grassroots efforts. Will they buy a ton of talent? Not likely. But if you raise an extra million or two a year, it counts and builds better loyalty and involvement with fans over time.

But they don't need the expensive GM model that came with Orange United. That approach was trying to do too much.

 

[Consigliere]

I'm not against it. With the portal opening they need big money fast and should be laser focused on that was my point. The fan who wants to give a hundred bucks today isn't buying our next point guard next week. George didn't work out but that was three or four guys over 48 hours getting that done.

If they can get grassroots NIL to hit 7 figures over a year (my number is 5K and under) more power to them.

Things have escalated so rapidly. The first year of NIL we paid two prominent basketball players $500 each to attend our tailgate on separate dates. They were genuinely appreciative and I still get occasional texts from them today. The second year we contracted with two others then Red changed practice time at the last minute and caused a conflict. Pete Corasiniti called me at the tailgate and said they had asked to leave practice a bit early to fulfill their obligation to me. He couldn’t allow it but we agreed to amend the contract and allow an abbreviated appearance as the tailgate was tearing down. The third year we had an agreement with one starter and one prominent reserve. They signed contracts, then apparently didn’t feel it was worth getting out of bed to make a 9 am commitment. Thankfully Orange United was involved and cancelled payment.

We had a $2500 offer out to a starter who tested the NBA waters and decided to return but he laughed at it and said he wouldn’t even answer a phone call for less that $10,000. Deal was for a one hour appearance with additional money offered for signed photos.
Had great experiences with a grass roots effort that included 120+ donors and raised $68k over three years but the market for men’s basketball and football players made it obsolete. I do feel for student athletes from other sports who still appreciate a modest stipend and a chance to interact with fans. But the priorities are clear. Modest level donors are being asked to fund revenue sharing while high rollers and corporate sponsors handle major NIL deals. Have to admit it does make some sense.

 

[MikeSU02]

There are plenty of schools that have successful grass roots initiatives. It’s in part a way to build your donor base. If it only raises 500k-2M a year that’s still better than nothing. You also need somewhere they folks want to donate 2500-25k can give to as well. They’re not whales but 10-50 of those helps.

We should be doing both. It’s very easy to do and there are tons of models we can follow.

We should remove every obstacle to raising money. There never should be a fan saying “I want to give nil money but I can’t figure out how.”

Yeah. The person you’re responding to has a very narrow or cynical view of fundraising, especially when it’s ongoing and will need to continue longer term.

Odd pov. Especially when a “whale” in Lindell was advocating for donating what you can on a podcast within the past month.

Weird.

 

[kingtidge]

Things have escalated so rapidly. The first year of NIL we paid two prominent basketball players $500 each to attend our tailgate on separate dates. They were genuinely appreciative and I still get occasional texts from them today. The second year we contracted with two others then Red changed practice time at the last minute and caused a conflict. Pete Corasiniti called me at the tailgate and said they had asked to leave practice a bit early to fulfill their obligation to me. He couldn’t allow it but we agreed to amend the contract and allow an abbreviated appearance as the tailgate was tearing down. The third year we had an agreement with one starter and one prominent reserve. They signed contracts, then apparently didn’t feel it was worth getting out of bed to make a 9 am commitment. Thankfully Orange United was involved and cancelled payment.

We had a $2500 offer out to a starter who tested the NBA waters and decided to return but he laughed at it and said he wouldn’t even answer a phone call for less that $10,000. Deal was for a one hour appearance with additional money offered for signed photos.
Had great experiences with a grass roots effort that included 120+ donors and raised $68k over three years but the market for men’s basketball and football players made it obsolete. I do feel for student athletes from other sports who still appreciate a modest stipend and a chance to interact with fans. But the priorities are clear. Modest level donors are being asked to fund revenue sharing while high rollers and corporate sponsors handle major NIL deals. Have to admit it does make some sense.

I give you a lot of credit for really trying to run the appearance gambit at tailgates with some of the players. Kudos.

I think the problem is non-alum fans want to fund NIL and not donate to general school athletic funds that the school decides how or if it will even go to rev share, for which teams programs, or to something else.

If we're doing NIL collectives right, there is room for middle-tier and low-tier retail fan donations...

Wil it ever amount to more that 20% of the overall NIL kitty? Prolly not and 20% might be the ceiling for those type of donations in the NIL kitty... But it's not chicken scraps either.

 

[Mr. M]

Yeah. The person you’re responding to has a very narrow or cynical view of fundraising, especially when it’s ongoing and will need to continue longer term.

Odd pov. Especially when a “whale” in Lindell was advocating for donating what you can on a podcast within the past month.

Weird.

 

[Bayside44]

Yeah. The person you’re responding to has a very narrow or cynical view of fundraising, especially when it’s ongoing and will need to continue longer term.

Odd pov. Especially when a “whale” in Lindell was advocating for donating what you can on a podcast within the past month.

Weird.

You can just tag me. The cynicism is earned.

Look at Consigliere 's post. That's reality.

100% for grassroots fundraising but that's not buying you the players you want right now.

 

[rjs13090]

Can the athletic department even set this up? I thought NIL had to be arms length from the university. Can Bryan Blair be involved in this? How much of a role can the athletic department take if any at all.

I heard back from John, NIL collective to be set up within 30 days. It will serve all 20 sports, but the donor directs the funds. Second offering is partnering with an athlete with a company through a marketing agency. Third is directly through SU and the Athletes.

 

[rjs13090]

There are plenty of schools that have successful grass roots initiatives. It’s in part a way to build your donor base. If it only raises 500k-2M a year that’s still better than nothing. You also need somewhere they folks want to donate 2500-25k can give to as well. They’re not whales but 10-50 of those helps.

We should be doing both. It’s very easy to do and there are tons of models we can follow.

We should remove every obstacle to raising money. There never should be a fan saying “I want to give nil money but I can’t figure out how.”

ABSOLUTELY. In the words of Tony Soprano, take a little bit at a time and no one notices. WHEN GMac wins, we have so many fans all over, they will give

 

[richmondcuse03]

I give you a lot of credit for really trying to run the appearance gambit at tailgates with some of the players. Kudos.

I think the problem is non-alum fans want to fund NIL and not donate to general school athletic funds that the school decides how or if it will even go to rev share, for which teams programs, or to something else.

If we're doing NIL collectives right, there is room for middle-tier and low-tier retail fan donations...

Wil it ever amount to more that 20% of the overall NIL kitty? Prolly not and 20% might be the ceiling for those type of donations in the NIL kitty... But it's not chicken scraps either.

Agreed.

 

[richmondcuse03]

I heard back from John, NIL collective to be set up within 30 days. It will serve all 20 sports, but the donor directs the funds. Second offering is partnering with an athlete with a company through a marketing agency. Third is directly through SU and the Athletes.

Good. It’s a no brainer. I hope they’re running it efficiently.

 

[Orangezoo]

I heard back from John, NIL collective to be set up within 30 days. It will serve all 20 sports, but the donor directs the funds. Second offering is partnering with an athlete with a company through a marketing agency. Third is directly through SU and the Athletes.

30 days .. ok then. Great chance to get early momentum announcing the full staff and then early portal wins to get another waive of enthusiasm. Look forward to those of us in the small to medium range of donations to getting our chance.

 

[Scott11]

This issue will be remedied very soon, and the person in charge is very qualified and motivated.

 

[tptcuse]

Yeah. The person you’re responding to has a very narrow or cynical view of fundraising, especially when it’s ongoing and will need to continue longer term.

Odd pov. Especially when a “whale” in Lindell was advocating for donating what you can on a podcast within the past month.

Weird.

oops

 

[Trueblue25]

Alternative point of view - whales will fund 95% of this and they know where to go and if not they'll get pointed in the right direction quickly.

The grassroots stuff is nice but not a priority.

Coordinating whales is the bare minimum. Grassroots is often recurring and a no brainer. Win more, get more.

 

[JRHEETER]

Agree all around. And I get that Blair just started and whatnot...but man, Orange United closed last fall. Where is SU's third-party NIL strategy beyond football???

When Orange United closed, I was informed by people within the Athletic department that felt they did NOT need a third party NIL collective and that rev share should cover all they need.

I was also told by those same people they felt all of division 1 would go that route.


At that time I told them I thought they were completely wrong and that they needed to fill the gap………

 

[JRHEETER]

Alternative point of view - whales will fund 95% of this and they know where to go and if not they'll get pointed in the right direction quickly.

The grassroots stuff is nice but not a priority.

That could work for a mega brand schools with large alumni base.

If Syracuse is serious, they can’t possibly think the same handful of folks are going to pay for players every year and quite frankly, they shouldn’t be asked to.

There are literally THOUSANDS of people just within an hour and half drive of Syracuse that would LOVE to donate say $25 dollars a month.

If you got just 5000 people to donate $25 a month that’s $125k a month. Thats 5.2 million a year….

Graaaroots needs to be a priority.

 

[Bayside44]

That could work for a mega brand schools with large alumni base.

If Syracuse is serious, they can’t possibly think the same handful of folks are going to pay for players every year and quite frankly, they shouldn’t be asked to.

There are literally THOUSANDS of people just within an hour and half drive of Syracuse that would LOVE to donate say $25 dollars a month.

If you got just 5000 people to donate $25 a month that’s $125k a month. Thats 5.2 million a year….

Graaaroots needs to be a priority.

I'd argue the opposite, but I'd also like to be wrong on this.

 

[Franz69]

I'm half kidding, half serious when I say that at every game played in the Dome, regardless of the sport, we should have people stationed at all the gates with an orange Salvation Army-style bucket. Fans can toss in however much money they can.