How a Different Kind of Revenue Sharing is Transforming NIL
Freight, booze, and credit card processing - oh my!
When NIL collectives first launched, their success often depended on one thing: donor contributions. Wealthy alumni and loyal fans were asked to open their wallets and help support their favorite programs, often with few tangible benefits in return. For a while, this worked. But as NIL has matured, something many in the space feared has started to happen—donor fatigue.
Donor fatigue is hitting collectives hard, and it’s easy to see why. It’s not sustainable to keep asking the same group of people for money year after year, especially when there’s little visibility into how their contributions are being used. Recognizing this, many collectives are shifting gears and embracing a new type of revenue-sharing strategy that ties fundraising to real, ongoing business opportunities.
This isn’t just a stopgap—it’s a game-changer for the NIL world. Let’s break down how these new revenue-sharing models work and why they’re the future of NIL fundraising.
What is Revenue Sharing in NIL?
At its core, revenue sharing allows businesses to redirect a portion of their revenue—often through services or products—toward an NIL collective. Instead of simply writing a check to the collective, businesses integrate their contributions into their existing operations, which makes this model more sustainable, scalable, and appealing to donors who want to see real ROI.
Here’s how it works:
A business or service provider agrees to share a percentage of their revenue or profits with an NIL collective.
Fans, alumni, or local businesses are encouraged to use that provider’s services, which then generates additional funds for the collective.
Everyone wins: the collective gets new funding, the business gains customers, and participants receive tangible benefits for their support.
Examples of Revenue Sharing in Action
1. Victory Logistics: Bringing NIL to Supply Chains
Victory Logistics is a perfect example of how nontraditional industries are stepping into the NIL space. This logistics provider works with businesses—often those tied to alumni or local communities—to handle their freight needs. In return, a portion of the revenue generated from these logistics services goes directly to the NIL collective.
At the College of Charleston, the Charleston Edge Collective has already begun working with Victory to fund NIL initiatives. By leveraging relationships with local businesses, Victory is helping CofC athletes succeed without relying solely on traditional donations.
Why it works:
Businesses are already paying for logistics—they’re simply redirecting those dollars to a provider that supports their school.
The collective benefits without relying on constant appeals for donations.
2. MiCamp Solutions: Payment Processing Meets NIL
MiCamp Solutions offers payment processing services to businesses, with a twist: when a business switches to MiCamp, a percentage of the revenue generated from processing fees is funneled to an NIL collective.
The College of Charleston has partnered with MiCamp to offer this opportunity to local businesses, allowing them to support the Charleston Edge while potentially saving money on processing fees.
Why it works:
Businesses save money on processing fees while contributing to their favorite school’s NIL efforts.
It’s seamless—businesses don’t spend extra money, and the collective gets a steady revenue stream.
3. Alcohol and Beverage Partnerships
Beer, liquor, and other beverage companies are also entering the revenue-sharing space. These brands often partner with collectives to create co-branded products, where a portion of each sale is donated back to the collective.
For example:
A brewery might launch a special edition beer tied to the collective, with a portion of sales supporting NIL initiatives.
Fans get to enjoy a unique product while feeling like they’re contributing to the program’s success.
Why it works:
It ties NIL contributions to a fun, social experience that fans already enjoy.
Sales create a direct and transparent way to support athletes without requiring donors to make a standalone gift.
Why Revenue Sharing is the Future
Revenue sharing isn’t just a clever fundraising strategy—it’s a solution to the challenges facing the NIL ecosystem. Here’s why it’s gaining traction:
Sustainability: Unlike traditional donations, revenue sharing creates a consistent stream of funding tied to everyday business operations.
Value for Donors: Fans and alumni see immediate, tangible benefits—whether it’s saving money on services or enjoying co-branded products.
Broad Participation: It opens the door for more people and businesses to contribute, even those who might not have been able to participate in traditional donation models.
Creative Partnerships: It brings new industries into the NIL space, expanding the reach and visibility of collectives.
The Challenges Ahead
While revenue sharing offers incredible potential, it’s not without challenges. Collectives need to:
Educate fans and alumni about these opportunities. Many people still think of NIL as “writing a check” and aren’t aware of these innovative models.
Build trust with businesses to ensure the partnerships deliver results.
Stay compliant with state and NCAA regulations to avoid running afoul of NIL guidelines.
A New Era for NIL Fundraising
As donor fatigue sets in and traditional fundraising methods lose steam, revenue sharing is proving to be a viable and exciting alternative. It’s a win-win for everyone involved—businesses, collectives, athletes, and fans alike. By tapping into everyday services and products, these partnerships ensure that NIL efforts remain strong, even as the landscape continues to evolve.
At the College of Charleston, partnerships with Victory Logistics, MiCamp Solutions, and other innovative revenue-sharing providers are already making a difference, proving that these strategies aren’t just theoretical—they’re real solutions that work.
For collectives willing to innovate, the future is bright. And for fans and businesses, it’s never been easier—or more rewarding—to support the athletes and programs they love.