Penn State basketball to hold NIL event in Harrisburg area

Penn State men’s basketball head coach Mike Rhoades has been straightforward about name, image, and likeness throughout his first year with the program. Determined to built a team and culture focused on player development, the Nittany Lions have simultaneously embraced what NIL can mean for their players and the community supporting them.

“(We’re trying to) get people involved and be a part of our program,” Rhoades said. “I am friend-raising before I’m fundraising. I want to get as many people involved in our basketball program and feel a part of it in different ways… And I want people supporting our program to sweat with us, to be there with us. 

“The other side of it is, of course, the NIL. It’s a hot topic these days, but it’s something that we have to be very competitive in that arena. And I’ve been very active as the head coach here at Penn State of getting people on board for that. Getting people to support our players. Getting Happy Valley United to build a cool business model so we do it the right way.”

On June 6, Rhoades and the Penn State basketball coaching staff are taking a public step toward boosting those efforts. Happy Valley United, the collective supporting the Nittany Lion program, is hosting a luncheon with the program’s supporters at the West Shore Country Club in Camp Hill, Pa. The event is to run from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. and will include complimentary food and drinks. Tickets are priced at $25 and are available now.

From the event landing page:

“Join Mike Rhoades and his staff for a luncheon on June 6 at 11:30 AM at West Shore Country Club benefitting NIL efforts for Penn State men’s basketball. Learn how NIL could benefit your business as well as men’s basketball student-athletes through conversations with Rhoades, his staff and Happy Valley United’s staff. 

Penn State basketball NIL philosophy

Last November, Penn State basketball took its first big step toward building an NIL operation when it named Pat Flannery its general manager for hoops within Happy Valley United. The longtime Bucknell head coach also led Rhoades while winning a national championship at Lebanon Valley, maintaining the relationship and reuniting to help build out the Nittany Lions’ NIL cache.

Experienced in development, including a 15-year stint in a similar role at Bucknell, Flannery’s impact has been important to Penn State’s present and future player retention and acquisition.

“We need a strong NIL to be competitive. And I I feel with the leadership we have with our administration and Happy Valley United jumping in, Coach Flannery has done an awesome job,” said Rhoades upon the conclusion of his debut season with the program. “There’s a lot of momentum with what we’re trying to do in NIL.”

Still, Rhoades was adamant, the financial implications of playing at Penn State would not be paramount in its approach to player acquisition.

“That’s not gonna run our program. No way. We’re doing it the right way. I really appreciate the support of so many. I think the way we’ve played and a lot of people getting to know our players, they want to be a part of our program and this is one way they can be a part of our program. And I think that’s a positive,” said Rhoades. “The NIL to me is something you want to build to last and make it sustainable for success. It’s just not a wheelbarrow of money and just keep dumping it. We want to have a positive business model with it. That’s where Coach Flannery comes in into play and we’re going to do it right.

“It is important. I think it’s awesome how we could support our student-athletes that I’ve seen firsthand how it’s helped kids and their families. I am all for it; I love it. But, if that’s the number one reason you want to come and play basketball at Penn State, it’s not gonna work. You got to want to come here to be the best player and the best version of you because we’re gonna get after it. In that avenue, in that arena of NIL, we’re going to be competitive. But there’s going to be a lot of awesome reasons besides that and next to that to come be a part of our program.”

Turning over eight players from the 2023-24 roster following the season, Penn State added four transfers to the program in the spring portal window.

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