Open Letter from DeWayne Peevy on Name, Image, Likeness
3/7/2023 2:42:00 PM | ATHLETICS
DePaul endorses the launch of the "Under the L" fund
Dear Blue Demon Nation,
DePaul Athletics has continued to be at the forefront of name, image, and likeness ("NIL") and I am excited to highlight the recent launch of "Under the L," a third-party collective supporting DePaul student-athletes.
Since July 2021, DePaul Athletics has been committed to promoting the rights of student- athletes to be appropriately compensated by third parties for the use of their NIL. That includes the LEGACY Program designed to prepare DePaul student-athletes to strategically develop their personal brands and NIL opportunities in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, the adoption of the most innovative brand-building software from INFLCR, support for group licensing transactions through Brandr, and robust NIL-related financial literacy and entrepreneurship education opportunities.
At DePaul, we will continue to remain steadfast in our compliance with applicable laws and NCAA regulations, and, as always, we will ensure our NIL programming and opportunities exist for the betterment of our student-athletes' educational experience and personal growth.
Today, the NIL landscape in collegiate athletics is dominated by "collectives" or entities formed to provide fans with unique NIL opportunities and yet another mechanism for providing student-athletes with the ability to monetize their NIL. It has been widely reported that there are now over 120 collectives that have formed, supporting most Power 6 programs.
NIL has quickly become crucial to us in providing the best collegiate experience for our 215+ student-athletes across all fifteen of our sports. As the national NIL landscape continues to evolve, we must swiftly adapt to modernized rules, our student-athletes' expectations around NIL, and the reality that our athletics department's success relies heavily on us remaining competitive and forward-thinking in this space.
I encourage you to check out Under the L and consider supporting our student-athletes and engaging with them through unique NIL opportunities. To learn more, visit UnderTheL.org.
NIL is certainly new in the collegiate athletics context, but it has existed for years in the professional sports landscape and elsewhere. The NCAA previously prohibited NIL activities that are now perfectly acceptable and quickly becoming the norm. Your continued support of DePaul Athletics—including by engaging our student-athletes with NIL—is absolutely necessary for DePaul's Athletics growth in the shortest time frame possible. The collective is your opportunity to provide crucial support to student-athletes as a fan and provide support that the university is prohibited from providing. We cannot achieve success in this space without your help.
We truly have an incredible opportunity before us to advance each of our 15 sports programs to new heights, but we must be bold in our support. I'm asking Blue Demons fans to support Under the L to help us make the impact they have told me they want to see in DePaul Athletics. Now is your time to help DePaul Athletics turn our dreams into a reality.
Please note that Under the L is a separate entity and not part of DePaul University, any contributions are not tax-deductible (and you should consult a tax advisor for any tax considerations), and any engagement with the collective will not increase or impact donor recognition with the University.
Those interested in giving directly to DePaul University should consider the DREAM BIG Fund which is used to elevate the student-athlete experience, including recruiting, nutrition, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, brand management, and social media strategy. Further, the fund is integral in funding digital tools and technology necessary to support and differentiate DePaul student-athletes in the national NIL market.
As always, thank you for your passionate support of DePaul Athletics. Your support assures me that together, we will become the premier program in the BIG EAST Conference.
Go Blue Demons!
DeWayne Peevy
Vice President & Director of Athletics
DePaul University
DePaul Athletics has continued to be at the forefront of name, image, and likeness ("NIL") and I am excited to highlight the recent launch of "Under the L," a third-party collective supporting DePaul student-athletes.
Since July 2021, DePaul Athletics has been committed to promoting the rights of student- athletes to be appropriately compensated by third parties for the use of their NIL. That includes the LEGACY Program designed to prepare DePaul student-athletes to strategically develop their personal brands and NIL opportunities in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, the adoption of the most innovative brand-building software from INFLCR, support for group licensing transactions through Brandr, and robust NIL-related financial literacy and entrepreneurship education opportunities.
At DePaul, we will continue to remain steadfast in our compliance with applicable laws and NCAA regulations, and, as always, we will ensure our NIL programming and opportunities exist for the betterment of our student-athletes' educational experience and personal growth.
Today, the NIL landscape in collegiate athletics is dominated by "collectives" or entities formed to provide fans with unique NIL opportunities and yet another mechanism for providing student-athletes with the ability to monetize their NIL. It has been widely reported that there are now over 120 collectives that have formed, supporting most Power 6 programs.
NIL has quickly become crucial to us in providing the best collegiate experience for our 215+ student-athletes across all fifteen of our sports. As the national NIL landscape continues to evolve, we must swiftly adapt to modernized rules, our student-athletes' expectations around NIL, and the reality that our athletics department's success relies heavily on us remaining competitive and forward-thinking in this space.
I encourage you to check out Under the L and consider supporting our student-athletes and engaging with them through unique NIL opportunities. To learn more, visit UnderTheL.org.
NIL is certainly new in the collegiate athletics context, but it has existed for years in the professional sports landscape and elsewhere. The NCAA previously prohibited NIL activities that are now perfectly acceptable and quickly becoming the norm. Your continued support of DePaul Athletics—including by engaging our student-athletes with NIL—is absolutely necessary for DePaul's Athletics growth in the shortest time frame possible. The collective is your opportunity to provide crucial support to student-athletes as a fan and provide support that the university is prohibited from providing. We cannot achieve success in this space without your help.
We truly have an incredible opportunity before us to advance each of our 15 sports programs to new heights, but we must be bold in our support. I'm asking Blue Demons fans to support Under the L to help us make the impact they have told me they want to see in DePaul Athletics. Now is your time to help DePaul Athletics turn our dreams into a reality.
Please note that Under the L is a separate entity and not part of DePaul University, any contributions are not tax-deductible (and you should consult a tax advisor for any tax considerations), and any engagement with the collective will not increase or impact donor recognition with the University.
Those interested in giving directly to DePaul University should consider the DREAM BIG Fund which is used to elevate the student-athlete experience, including recruiting, nutrition, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, brand management, and social media strategy. Further, the fund is integral in funding digital tools and technology necessary to support and differentiate DePaul student-athletes in the national NIL market.
As always, thank you for your passionate support of DePaul Athletics. Your support assures me that together, we will become the premier program in the BIG EAST Conference.
Go Blue Demons!
DeWayne Peevy
Vice President & Director of Athletics
DePaul University