Michigan, Texas NIL collectives partner to release T-shirts benefiting players

Michigan and Texas will meet Saturday in one of the most anticipated nonconference games of the college football season.

The programs have only met once before, the last meeting in the 2005 Rose Bowl. The Longhorns won 38-37 on a last-second field goal. Back then, athletes were not able to monetize their name, image and likeness.

Nearly two decades later, players are now cashing in and signing endorsement deals. The NIL collectives for Texas (Texas One Fund) and Michigan (Champions Circle) have partnered to launch a joint, officially licensed T-shirt that will benefit athletes from both schools. It’s believed to be the first time collectives have collaborated on a gameday T-shirt.

The front side of the shirts title Saturday’s matchup the “Battle of the Bluebloods” and feature each program’s helmet. The backside features logos for the Texas One Fund and Champions Circle collectives.

Every shirt sold will have a $5 royalty shared equally among the NIL collectives. The Ts will be available inside Michigan Stadium on Saturday, priced at $45.

Michigan, Texas NIL collectives rank in top 15

Champions Circle and the Texas One Fund are viewed as two of the top NIL collectives in the country. They were recently named to On3’s top 15 NIL collectives.

The One Fund was formed in November 2022, bringing together five separate NIL entities. Viewed by peers as one of the wealthiest NIL collectives in the nation, sources tell On3 that it has roughly 60 football players under contract. That number doesn’t include deals it procures for athletes in the local business community.

“They’re ready to adapt to whatever,” a source told On3. “They feel really comfortable where they’re at and already in conversations about what the House settlement could mean.”

When Jim Harbaugh left Michigan for the NFL in late January, the 30-day transfer portal window opened. With the hire of Sherrone Moore and the Champions Circle NIL collective, the program was able to stave off any transfer portal losses. 

“It was everything, we were vulnerable,” a source close to the situation said. “Look at what happened to Washington after the national title game, that could’ve happened.”

Michigan bounced back in the spring portal, restocking depth at a few positions. But Champions Circle hasn’t been limited to football. The collective threw its support behind new basketball coach Dusty May, who helped raise upwards of $3 million and met with top donors.