Bradley University’s athletics department is restructuring how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) funding is managed for its basketball programs. Effective immediately, the university will directly handle revenue sharing support and fundraising, a significant shift from the previous model involving external collectives.
Key Takeaways
- Bradley Athletics will now directly manage NIL funding for men’s and women’s basketball.
- External collectives, Home of the Brave and Be Brave, will no longer be the primary source of NIL funds.
- Donations made directly to Bradley Athletics for basketball programs will be tax-deductible.
- The new structure aims for a more coordinated approach to supporting the basketball programs.
A New Era for NIL at Bradley
The university announced Wednesday that it is bringing the management of NIL funding for its basketball teams in-house. This strategic move means that the previously utilized collectives, Home of the Brave and Be Brave, will cease to be the direct conduits for NIL compensation for the men’s and women’s basketball players. This change follows closely on the heels of Tom Hammerton’s appointment as the general manager for the Braves basketball teams, a role he assumed about a month ago after serving as president of the OSF HealthCare Foundation.
Direct Support and Tax Benefits
According to a news release from Bradley University, this new funding framework is designed to offer a "more direct and coordinated way for supporters of Bradley men’s and women’s basketball to compete at the highest level." Under the revised system, any financial contributions made specifically for the basketball programs will now be directed straight to Bradley Athletics. These funds will be allocated towards "program priorities," which include essential areas such as team travel, recruiting efforts, scheduling operations, and overall athlete support.
A notable advantage of this new structure is that donations made directly to Bradley Athletics will be tax-deductible, a benefit that was not available when contributions were channeled through the external collectives. The university emphasized its continued dedication to athletic excellence and providing a top-tier experience for its student-athletes, stating, "The landscape of college athletics has changed, but Bradley’s commitment to competing for championships and providing a first-class student-athlete experience remains the same."
