Why fans are generating more NIL support for Florida football

Florida football coach Billy Napier gave Gator Nation signs of hope by leading UF to a four-game win streak to close the 2024 season.

As a result, Florida Gators fans are starting to open their checkbooks.

After two unnamed Florida football boosters pledged $500,000 each to the Florida Victorious Collective for Name, Image and Likeness funding, it took less than a week for a grassroots campaign to match those funds, resulting in a $2 million boost toward UF’s NIL efforts.

“We were right around half a million in the first day,” Florida Victorious chief revenue offer Erick Reasoner said. “It’s probably the biggest (surge) we’ve had. The momentum around the program, everybody jumped on board.”

The NIL funding could prove critical as Florida tries to build around dynamic quarterback D.J. Lagway, who was named a Football Writer Association of America freshman All-American on Tuesday.

With the advent of the transfer portal and Name, Image and Likeness, college football has become a game of the haves and have nots. Ohio State’s Name, Image and Likness budget reportedly stands at $20 million. Reasoner would not disclose UF’s specific NIL budget, but say the Gators are within the ballpark of blueblood programs when it comes to NIL funding.

“No one shares their actual numbers of course, but we’re almost certain that we’re top ten,” Reasoner said. “We actually think we’re right around top five in collectives around the country, as far as revenue.”

How Florida Victorious has grown as an NIL collective

Florida Victorious was founded in April of 2023, not long after the Jaden Rashada fiasco, in which UF’s former Gator Collective botched a $13.4 million deal in an attempt to sign the five-star quarterback recruit. (Rashada is suing Napier, former UF NIL director Marcus Castro-Walker and booster Hugh Hathcock over the nixed deal).

Reasoner said stewardship has been a big part of the collective’s philosophy.

“We put a focus on stewarding donors, and making them feel good about giving to NIL,” Reasoner said. “Showing them how it’s impacting the community, how they’re supporting the student-athletes.”

The member benefits include exclusive access to UF players and coaches through autograph signings and other events. Reasoner wouldn’t specifically divulge the current membership numbers for Florida Victorious, but gave trends regarding membership growth.

“We’ve at least doubled each year we’ve been around,” Reasoner said. “It’s been two to three times each year, membership wise.”

With the House v. NCAA Settlement potentially creating more restrictions on collectives this season, Reasoner said the collective will shift to being more member focused.

“Increasing our membership and making sure they’re seeing value for what they are doing,” Reasoner said.

Do wins and losses impact Florida football NIL support?

Reasoner said losses don’t impact Florida Victorious membership, but wins provide a boost. Instead, Reasoner said what hurts the collective most is uncertainty, which was the case through the first two months of 2024 season when Napier was squarely on the coaching hot seat.

“If I haven’t already signed up do I want to invest in a program and if I don’t know what the future of that program is,” Reasoner said. “I’m probably not going to invest.”

Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin’s vote of confidence toward Napier alleviated those concerns. A four-game win streak followed, as UF posted back-to-back wins over ranked teams LSU and Ole Miss at The Swamp, followed by a lopsided win at rival Florida State and another lopsided win over Tulane at the Gasparilla Bowl. Florida finished the year 7-5, posting its first winning record since 2020.

“Anyone that meets Coach Napier loves him, especially if they get to be around his processes and see what he’s doing, it’s easy for people to support him,” Reasoner said. “When people knew he was staying as the coach, it was easy for people to continue giving or jump on board.”