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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) are three terms associated with a person’s “right of publicity.” In July of 2023, it was determined that student-athletes could profit from the publicity of their NIL. Previously, the NCAA had ruled that this was impermissible.’
NIL activities resulting in payment to student-athletes are called “deliverables.” These vary widely but common examples include post/re-posts and other “influencing” on social media, business endorsements, autographs, public and media appearances, advertising, volunteering with non-profit organizations and promoting their mission.
Trojans Together Collective is the NIL entity formed to recognize and realize name, image, and likeness opportunities for TROY student-athletes. Building on the storied tradition of TROY Athletics, our mission is to Build Communities, Empower Players, and Win Together. Your membership in Trojans Together assists athletes in accomplishing that mission and ensuring TROY Athletics maintains its leadership position and competitive legacy in the Sun Belt Conference and among Group of Five institutions across the country.
The Collective is a membership organization that enters into sponsorship agreements with businesses and corporations for the use of student-athlete name, image, and likeness to market/advertise their business. Benefits begin at the $5,000 level and increase as your benefits expand.
Trojans Together Collective is driven by a limited liability corporation called CardiNIL Corporate, LLC which is formed in accordance with Federal and State laws as well as IRS regulations where applicable. The Collective utilizes Officers (3) and a Board of Directors (5) to oversee the proper execution of its mission as well as day-to-day operations. The Officers and Board members come from a diverse professional background including finance, legal, accounting, and multiple business owners/operators. Officers and Directors serve as unpaid volunteers.
Absolutely! In fact, it’s one of the best ways to help Trojans Together plan for future NIL needs. You can also execute a multi-year sponsorship agreement for up to three years. When the Collective knows your intent to support for multiple years, it can better plan for future NIL needs, expenses, and more effectively execute its mission to Build Communities, Empower Players, and Win Together.
Yes, we accept gifts of any amount. Consult with your tax advisor about the deductibility of charitable gifts to Trojans Together Collective. The Collective has applied for 501(c)3 status with the US Internal Revenue Service.
WHAT IF I…
A. WANT TO FUND NIL BUT AT A LEVEL LESS THAN THE SILVER ($5,000) LEVEL OF TROJANS TOGETHER?
B. DON’T HAVE A BUSINESS OR BRAND TO PROMOTE THROUGH MEMBERSHIP BUT STILL WANT TO FUND NIL?
There are two additional ways we encourage you to support TROY student-athletes.
Join the Collective: You can give any amount to Trojans Together Collective and directly support athletes.
Trojan Warrior Fund: Charitable giving to Troy Athletics (designated for “Alston Funds” – see below).
What are “Alston Funds?”
In summary, these funds are a powerful way to support athletes through direct payments from the University. In Alston v. NCAA, the Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that the NCAA was required to allow its member schools to distribute funds as direct payments to student athletes up to a maximum of $5,980 annually. Per that ruling, the NCAA also allowed member institutions to establish their own maximum cap at or below the court-ordered amount. Sun Belt Conference schools have determined that the cap for Alston Funds will be $5,000 per year. Troy University is one of only three Sun Belt institutions that provides Alston Funds as direct payments to select student-athletes.
By giving to Troy Athletics and designating your gift for “Alston Funds,” you are making a tax-deductible gift while also directly supporting select student-athletes at Troy University. Trojans Together Collective is an advocate for this type of direct-to-athletes giving and there is no minimum or maximum gift amount that you can designate.
Contact us at team@trojanstogethercollective.com with questions or for more information about how to directly support TROY athletes.
Per NCAA guidelines, there cannot be a legal or entity-level affiliation between a University or its Department of Athletics and an NIL Collective. However, we characterize our relationship as a friendly partnership. Both TROY Athletics and Trojans Together exist to support the mission of student-athletes within the framework of intercollegiate athletics. We do that through different means and as different organizations but stand side-by-side in our love for the TROY University family and our desire to see TROY Athletics and its student-athletes excel in the classroom, on the field or court, and in life.
One component of the oversight responsibilities of the Officers and Board of Directors of Trojans Together is to determine with which student-athletes it will partner for NIL deals. The Officers and Directors pride themselves on making decisions of this nature and have a strong pulse of the needs of athletes, businesses, and charities and how they can best work together in the context of NIL to mutually benefit from NIL deals.
If you have more questions please contact one of the following individuals:
CHRIS STEPHAN
General Manager
The Link U
205-639-7151
BUILD COMMUNITIES.
EMPOWER PLAYERS.
WIN TOGETHER.