WME, Underdog Fantasy launching golf events for NIL collectives

WME Sports and Underdog Fantasy are teaming up to help NIL collectives raise dollars.

Dubbed the “Underdog Rivalry Cup,” the 27-hole, Ryder Cup-style golf matches will begin this fall. NIL collectives at Texas (Texas One Fund), Oklahoma (1Oklahoma), Ohio State (1870 Society) and Michigan (Champions Circle) are all participating.

Led by WME’s NIL division, the event will include head-to-head golf matchups. Texas and Oklahoma and Michigan and Ohio State will face off. Teams are being led by All-Americans and former college stars Sam Bradford, Jake Butt, Bobby Carpenter and Colt McCoy.

Sponsorships will drive NIL dollars, along with school boosters having the opportunity to participate in the event. With plans to make this a reoccurring event, the Texas-Oklahoma match takes place at the Omni PGA National in Frisco, Texas. A location for Michigan-Ohio State has yet to be announced.

“I can’t wait for this Ryder Cup-inspired experience to have my Longhorn team line up across from our fiercest rivals with bragging rights and NIL funds for student-athletes on the line,” McCoy said in a statement. “Competition brings out the best of us and I’m looking forward to October 10th.”

Michigan beat Ohio State for a third consecutive season in 2023, while Oklahoma knocked off Texas 34-30 in the Red River Rivalry.

“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.”