Texas One Fund sees uptick in donations following Alabama win

Texas One Fund, the preferred NIL collective of Texas athletics, saw a notable uptick in donations this past week following the win over Alabama, executive director Patrick “Wheels” Smith told On3.

After the Longhorns picked up their first road win versus an AP top-three team since 1969, the collective saw a stream of donations flow in. Smith declined to provide specifics but said most donations came via the organization’s website.

Smith emphasized that a win over the Tide resonates with the fanbase, emphasizing the power of name, image and likeness. Collectives have populated the FBS landscape since the inception of NIL in the summer of 2021. They have become pertinent for programs to retain and attract talent in the last two years and change.

Donor fatigue has emerged as a rising concern for collectives in the last six to 12 months. One of the biggest ways to fight back on that is winning. While NIL entities have had to get creative in how they raise dollars, winning on the field can make all the difference. The simple reason is victories are proof that a donation makes an impact.

As Smith pointed out, fans love to jump on a bandwagon. And the Longhorns appear to be headed on that trajectory this season. A legitimate College Football Playoff contender, Texas is in the top five of the AP Top 25 poll for the first time since 2010.

NIL consolidation in Texas market makes difference

Five separate NIL entities focused on Longhorn athletics came together to form the Texas One Fund last November. After jousting for funding, all efforts were consolidated under one umbrella.

If there were any questions remaining about viability, look at the collectives that came together to form the Texas One Fund. Clark Field Collective announced an initial commitment of $10 million at its launch. Horns with Heart generated headlines with its plan to pay each offensive lineman $50,000 a year. Everyone is in unison in Austin, including the donors. 

The top-funded football collectives aim to have a bankroll of $8 million for an 85-scholarship roster. More collectives at the Power 5 level are operating in the $3 million to $6 million ballpark, though. Each is forced to devise different strategies to attack recruiting.

Now the Longhorns are rolling on the field and donations are coming in. They host Wyoming at 8 p.m. ET on the Longhorn Network.

“It goes without saying, Texas has made some really strategic moves recently that have put them in a really good spot,” an SEC operator previously told On3..