STATESBORO, Ga. – The Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation (GSAF) is excited to announce a strategic partnership with the Eagle Nation Collective (ENC) to streamline and enhance the giving process for Georgia Southern Athletics supporters. This collaboration simplifies contributions to the ENC, which plays a crucial role in supporting Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes.
By joining forces, Georgia Southern supporters can easily log into their GSAF ticket account to contribute directly to Eagle Nation Collective. Supporters can also continue to give online at EagleNationNIL.com. All contributions directly related to memberships will earn lifetime giving credit through the GSAF, with past and future membership investments to the ENC also being credited toward a donor’s lifetime giving record.
“This partnership provides the Eagle Nation Collective access to first-class fundraising, events and stewardship services,” said Georgia Southern Deputy Director of Athletics for Development, Allie Ware. “Georgia Southern student-athletes will benefit greatly from the Eagle Nation Collective’s focus on enhanced NIL opportunities while achieving greater efficiency and fundraising success through resources made available by the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation.”
“Streamlining our approach for our fan base was essential in forming this new partnership,” said Kennedy Finch, Executive Director of the Eagle Nation Collective.”Now, our investors can benefit from having their contributions count toward lifetime giving with the GSAF, adding another incentive to support the Collective’s mission of aiding all our student-athletes.”
Additionally, contributors to the Eagle Nation Collective will have the opportunity to receive all corresponding membership benefits. However, contributions to the Eagle Nation Collective do not qualify as charitable donations, nor are they eligible for university naming opportunities.
This partnership not only simplifies the donation process but also ensures that ENC supporters receive the same high level of stewardship as GSAF donors, reinforcing Georgia Southern’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field.
NIL comes from the right of publicity, which is an intellectual property right that protects a person’s right to use their name, image, likeness, or other components of their identity (e.g., nickname, pseudonym, voice, signature, likeness, jersey number, or photograph) for commercial benefits or promotional purposes.
On July 1, 2021, the NCAA enacted the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy. This was a direct result of O’Bannon and Alston’s legal cases.
An approved NIL activity occurs when a student-athlete provides a service using their NIL in exchange for some form of compensation at market value. The most important concept associated with an approved NIL-related activity is “an exchange of services.” The student-athlete provides a service using their NIL, and the recipient of that service compensates the student-athlete in return. NIL activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Yes. Student-athletes cannot enter into deals that promote any third party related to or associated with the development, production, promotion, distribution, wholesaling, or retailing of the following: tobacco products, including but not limited to any tobacco product, alternative nicotine products, electronic nicotine delivery system; alcohol products, beverage, or brand; adult entertainment products and/or services; gambling/sports wagering in any format (i.e., in person, online, etc.); prescription pharmaceuticals; NCAA banned substances; weapons (including but not limited to firearms and ammunition), political advertising, or other opportunities that go against Georgia Southern University values.
No, if a student-athlete receives money or goods without providing a service, it would be considered an extra benefit under existing NCAA rules. The student-athlete would be deemed immediately ineligible and must go through the NCAA’s reinstatement process before returning to competition. All NIL activities MUST be quid pro quo: there must be an exchange of goods or services for compensation related to one’s NIL. However, there can be no compensation tied to athletic performance such as statistical achievements, wins, or awards.
