Kentucky giving K Fund members priority points for NIL contributions
The University of Kentucky has stepped up its NIL game in a big way. Last week, Club Blue launched Kentucky Blue Light, a beer from Gravely Brewing, proceeds of which will go to the collective. UK also announced that the men’s and women’s basketball Blue/White games will be held in Memorial Coliseum, with all proceeds going to Club Blue.
Today, UK further embraced NIL by encouraging K Fund members to donate to the school’s collectives. The K Fund is the fundraising arm of UK Athletics through which members are rewarded for donations with priority points that can go towards season ticket upgrades, parking passes, etc. Through this new initiative, which has been in effect since July 1, 2024, K Fund members who donate to UK’s collectives will receive priority points.
“Here at UK Athletics, we are embracing the challenge of navigating the landscape in college athletics,” Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said in a press release. “We thank the members of Big Blue Nation who have generously given millions of dollars to our UK partner NIL collectives in just the past year. Their continued support is important to our ability to recruit the best student-athletes to come compete here.
“We will continue to find ways to thank our fans, support our student-athletes and remain focused on putting diplomas in hands and championship rings on fingers.”
UK’s collectives are The 15 Club, Club Blue and Commonwealth Causes, W1974, and Charities for Kentucky. Since the beginning of the 2023-24 season, Kentucky fans have donated more than $10 million to those collectives and even more so going back to July 1, 2021 when NIL went into effect. For every $100 contributed to UK’s NIL Collectives, donors will earn one priority point from the K Fund. These points can be redeemed for exclusive benefits, such as seating experiences and preferred ticketing status at postseason events.
For more information on the K Fund/NIL collective initiative, I’ll direct you to UK Athletics.
Kentucky Blue Light soaring in popularity
It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but Kentucky Blue Light has been a massive success. Club Blue and Gravely Brewing launched the beer last weekend at stores and bars across the Bluegrass. It went on tap at KSBar on Friday and I’m happy to report that sales have been very, very good. People are so thirsty to help Kentucky’s players that there’s a thread on KSBoard about where you can find the beer around the state.
If you want to do your part, come on down to KSBar and have a pint. You may walk away with beer for an entire year. Cheers.
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