Auburn O-linemen to get free food through NIL deal with Baumhower’s Victory Grille

NIL isn’t just for the skill players. Take the latest deal by Auburn-focused NIL collective On To Victory for example.

On To Victory has facilitated a NIL deal with offensive lineman contracted with the collective and Baumhower’s Victory Grille Auburn. As part of the deal, the linemen will have the opportunity to eat free at the restaurant known for sports, fun times and quality food. In addition, the offensive linemen’s families can join them at certain times.

In return for the free wings and other pub grub, the O-linemen will promote Baumhower’s Victory Grille Auburn on social media. Plus, they will also make personal appearances and be featured on a wall in the restaurant.

“Auburn football fans know the importance of having a great offensive line in this league, and Baumhower’s Victory Grille is stepping up to keep the big guys up front fed,” Brett Whiteside, executive director of On to Victory, told On3.

“I am also excited about the opportunity for their families. This is one of the first NIL deals I have seen that includes supporting student-athletes’ families. This is one of the first deals we have done with local businesses. I can think of no better influencer in this area than an Auburn University student-athlete.”

Baumhower’s Victory Grille Auburn owner Kevin Tudhope is excited about the partnership. He said the offensive linemen participating will receive food credits for the restaurant and additional food credits in specified months for use by their families.

“The cornerstone of any championship SEC football team is the offensive line,” Tudhope said in a statement to On3. “Baumhower’s Victory Grille Auburn is committed to helping Auburn football get back to the offensive lines that made Auburn football famous, and we look forward to partnering with On To Victory to make that happen.”

Auburn NIL collective making major moves

This is hardly the first major deal executed by On To Victory.

The collective announced last week that it signed the entire men’s and women’s basketball rosters, along with the volleyball team. In recent weeks, the collective has grabbed headlines for its fundraising efforts in preparation for Hugh Freeze’s arrival and the Transfer Portal opening for business.

As part of the deals with the basketball and volleyball teams, athletes will be expected to post on social media. They, too, will make personal appearances. Through the three-team agreements, On To Victory have more than 140 student-athletes on its roster. The only athletes who did not sign were international athletes due to restrictions prohibiting NIL activity on a student visa.

Whiteside said On To Victory is now moving to a re-signing period with football players who return to the Plains.

On To Victory has signed deals across 12 teams at Auburn. Making sure the student-athlete body has its NIL needs fulfilled is not limited to revenue sports.

“It speaks to Auburn and the kind of people we have, the kind of donors we have that just want to assist the school to the highest level,” Whiteside added. “Thanks to a few donors earmarking funds to specific teams, we were able to get this done.”