Texas beats Oklahoma in Underdog Rivalry Cup golf event for NIL collectives

WME Sports and Underdog Fantasy announced in August they were teaming up to help NIL collectives raise dollars. Dubbed the “Underdog Rivalry Cup,” the 27-hole, Ryder Cup-style golf matches started this fall.

With NIL dollars critical in recruiting and attaining talent, the event served as a new way for boosters and collectives to raise funds. Donors participated in the event with former players. The first match featuring Texas and Oklahoma was held on Oct. 10, with the Longhorns edging out the Sooners at the Omni PGA National in Frisco.

Texas, captained by former quarterback Colt McCoy, won on the last hole and beat Oklahoma, which was led by former quarterback Sam Bradford. Led by WME’s NIL division, the agency told On3 donations in the “high six-figures” were raised. Sponsorships drove in NIL dollars on top of donations.

Athletic directors Chris Del Conte and Joe Castiglione both attended the event, supporting the Texas One Fund and 1Oklahoma NIL collectives. Ohio State (1870 Society) and Michigan (Champions Circle) are also participating in the event later this fall, led by team captains Jake Butt and Bobby Carpenter.

Texas beat Oklahoma in the first edition of the Underdog Rivalry Cup last month. Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford captained the teams.

The Texas One Fund and 1OKlahoma collectives saw NIL donations in the high six figures from the event.

via @PeteNakos_: https://t.co/P8IKnbwDdL pic.twitter.com/6MXiAd48zV

— On3 NIL (@On3NIL) November 13, 2024

Plans are in place for this to be a recurring event. Texas knocked off Oklahoma 34-3 in the Red River Rivalry in October, and Ohio State hosts Michigan on Nov. 30.

“There’s nothing that brings me greater pride than beating the team up North,” Carpenter said. “I’m fired up to show them once again who runs this rivalry.”

Booster-funded NIL collectives make up for more than 90% of the dollars being spent in the space. The top-funded NIL collectives are spending upwards of $10 million annually on payroll for their roster. NIL collectives run the day-to-day operations of paying the talent, but that will significantly shift with revenue sharing expected to start on July 1, 2025.