Sacramento State's Pac-12 committee raises $35 million for NIL funds

Sacramento State is ramping up its quest to land an invite to the Pac-12 Conference.

Five days ago, the school announced plans for a new multi-use football stadium. The Sac12 executive committee announced Monday afternoon it has sourced $35 million in NIL funds from local businesses, community leaders and a local tribe in the last 24 hours.

The committee announced its goal is to raise a $50 million NIL war chest. The Sac12 executive group launched shortly after the Pac-12 added Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Colorado State.

“The $35 million we have secured over the last 24 hours demonstrates the civic and business commitment of all of those in the greater Sacramento region to this effort, an effort we know will pay great dividends to the university’s athletes and students, as well as Hornet fans and businesses across Sacramento,” said Sac12 co-chair Josh Wood. “We are thrilled to announce this tremendous first step and will continue to work to reach our stated goal of $50 million.”

Sacramento State investing in future

California State Senator Angelique Ashby, California State Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, Sacramento City Council Member Eric Guerra, as well as several business leaders and former San Francisco 49er and Sac State alum Otis Amey sit on the Sac12 committee.

With the addition of Utah State last week, the Pac-12 needs just one more school to reach the NCAA minimum to be recognized as an FBS conference. Sacramento State is making the case it sits in the 20th largest media market in the country with a student body of over 30,000.

The Hornes are in the Big Sky Conference, won seven conference titles in 2023 and rank No. 17 in the FCS. It remains unknown if the Pac-12 is interested in Sacramento State.

Donor-driven NIL collectives make up more than 80% of NIL dollars in college sports. The majority of Power Four NIL collectives are spending $5 to $15 million annually on rosters, with some crossing the $20 million mark. 

The House v. NCAA long-form settlement would usher in a new era of college sports with revenue sharing, allowing schools to share roughly $22 million annually. Sacramento State’s athletic department budget in 2022 was $35.9 million, according to USA Today.

“When we began this committee, I had every confidence that local leaders would see how important this is for the community and the university, and join in our efforts,” local business leader Mark Friedman said. “The $35 million in secured NIL funding in just one day demonstrates not only how committed we are as local municipalities, but this committee’s ability to harness the power of local government to get this done.”