Memphis-focused NIL collective 901 Fund expands to all sports

The official Memphis name, image and likeness collective 901 Fund announced Sunday that it has expanded its scope to help provide NIL opportunities to athletes across all of the university’s athletic programs. 901 Fund announced the news during halftime of the Memphis men’s basketball team’s home game against Houston.

“We are extremely proud of what 901 Fund has been able to accomplish in just one year with the men’s and women’s basketball team as well as football,” 901 Fund board member Clay Presley said in a statement. “To be able to support these student-athletes and align them with meaningful local charities, has been special to see. Now that we can expand NIL to all 18 programs and provide even more resources for our charity partners, I believe we will see incredible connections made between our city and University of Memphis athletes.”

901 Fund previously supported Memphis football and men’s and women’s basketball players. The university offers 18 athletic programs.

The collective also announced that donors can now direct their contributions to a specific athletic program. 901 Fund is a nonprofit organization that has applied for federal 501(c)(3) status.

The collective has facilitated partnerships between Memphis athletes and charities such as Memphis Athletic Ministries, the National Civil Rights Museum and Youth Villages.

901 Fund creates NIL opportunities for Memphis athletes

901 Fund launched in March 2022.

901 Fund co-founder Bob Byrd previously explained to the Commercial Appeal the collective’s decision to focus on football and basketball players. “The reason to concentrate on these three teams are these are the emotion generators and the sports which give the greatest interests and therefore will most likely motivate the greatest levels of support,” he said.

In February, Memphis announced the 901 Fund facilitated a partnership between the university’s men’s basketball team and The Peabody Memphis. The players agreed to promote local charities through the agreements.

Guests who booked the hotel’s “NIL package,” which started at $275 per night, could help fund NIL opportunities for Memphis athletes. The hotel’s website said $75 from each reservation would be ““earmarked for Memphis men’s basketball to further connect student-athletes with charitable organizations in the City of Memphis.”

Additionally, The Peabody Memphis agreed to donate $1 to 901 Fund for each purchase of the “Arctic Tiger” cocktail and the hotel’s lemon and blueberry Bavarian tart.

901 Fund’s website says the collective intends for 85 percent of its fund to go to athletes at Memphis.