WME Sports and Underdog Fantasy Team up for NIL Golf Fundraiser
By Colin Lyle
Last Updated on August 6, 2024
A new kind of fundraising activity for name, image, and likeness collectives is coming in the form of a golf tournament called the Underdog Rivalry Cup.
William Morris Endeavor Sports, an entertainment and sports talent agency, and Underdog Fantasy, a fantasy betting sports book, are joining forces to put on the “Ryder Cup-style” golf tournament set to start on October 10. Collectives from the University of Texas (Texas One Fund), the University of Oklahoma (1Oklahoma), Ohio State University (1870 Society), and the University of Michigan (Champions Circle) are participating in the inaugural event.
Former All-American football stars Colt McCoy (UT), Sam Bradford (OU), Bobby Carpenter (OSU), and Jake Butt (UM) will be captains of their teams. Sponsorships will be the main source of NIL dollars for competing collectives, and boosters can join teams in the tournament for an unspecified price.
“I can’t wait for this Ryder Cup-inspired experience to have my Longhorn team line up across from our fiercest rivals with bragging rights and NIL funds for student-athletes on the line,” McCoy told On3 Sports. “Competition brings out the best of us and I’m looking forward to October 10th.”
Oklahoma versus Texas, known as the Red River Rivalry, will take place at the Omni PGA National Resort in Frisco, Texas. Michigan versus Ohio State, known as The Game, does not have a confirmed location.
Fundraising for collectives is common in the NIL era of collegiate sports, but this is the first of its kind to pit rival fans, schools, and boosters against each other. There are plans for this to be a recurring event that could introduce other schools, according to Sports Business Journal.
Jordan Spieth, a UT alumnus and winner of the 2015 Masters Tournament, reached out to McCoy on X to see if he needed a co-captain, to which he responded with “Always welcome.” This partnership could set the stage for the former World’s No. 1 golfer to bring more recognition and money to the event for collectives.
The Red River Rivalry began in 1900 and will add even more intensity to SEC football as they join the conference this upcoming season. Michigan and Ohio State played their first game in 1897, and the Wolverines won the latest matchup en route to a College Football Playoff National Championship.
“Big Blue are the reigning national champs on the gridiron and we’re about to get another title when we win the Underdog Rivalry Cup this fall,” Butt said.
