Club Blue NIL Collective Raises Significant Funds through First Weeks of the Mark Pope Era

It’s difficult to tangibly measure the excitement of a fanbase, unless that fanbase is the Big Blue Nation. Kentucky basketball fans sold out Rupp Arena for Mark Pope’s introductory press conference. Since that monumental moment, fans have put their money where their mouth is by investing in Pope’s future with much-needed NIL dollars.

Club Blue has emerged as the primary NIL collective for the Kentucky basketball program. Matt Jones reports Club Blue has received $650,000 in recurring annual commitments through just the first three weeks of the Pope era. That does not include the lump sum private donations that total nearly $5 million.

“If Club Blue is able to get the fan recurring NIL donations from fans over $1 million (which I think is likely), that can combine with the private donor pledges to give UK as good a NIL war chest as any team in America,” Jones wrote on Twitter.

Mark Pope injected new life into the Kentucky basketball program upon his arrival in Lexington. The new head coach isn’t just smiling, waving, and asking for money.

As a thank you to the new members, Club Blue is hosting the NEW ERA Men’s Basketball Event in June. Kentucky fans who sign up by May 15 will receive access to the June 15 fan fest, your first opportunity to meet the new Wildcats, including Mark Pope.

“It’ll be our first opportunity to spend time with the team. We’re making a push right now for as many people in the nation that can join Club Blue, you will make a very tangible and direct impact on this program,” Pope said on Kentucky Sports Radio.

He added, “Be a part of this. This is our team and that’s what makes this special. I hope everybody jumps on, let’s do this together.”

Join the movement today. It’s simple. Just head to ClubBlueNIL.com and click on the subscription that best suits you — the Pope $41 Package is an early hit, one that gives you exclusive access to merchandise, entries into a monthly giveaway, a Club Blue Swag Bag, a $15 voucher to the Club Blue Store and a Mark Pope exclusive print.

Sign up for the KSR Newsletter to receive Kentucky Wildcats news in the most ridiculous manner possible.