Pitt football team members have banded together to form the first-of-its-kind Steel City Name, Image and Likeness Club that will allow fans to offer financial support to players.
In exchange, donors will be able to meet players on video calls, watch discussions of practices, upcoming games and recruiting and interact with other fans on message boards and chatrooms, according to a Tweet posted by the club Tuesday afternoon.
The club reported already raising more than $7,800 of a $20,000 monthly goal. There were 330 active members by Wednesday evening.
Junior defensive end Dayon Hayes said the videos will unveil “little stuff so they can see inside of us.”
“It’s a great team bonding thing, honestly,” he said. “If anybody wants to see (running back Vincent Davis), they can pay to get him, but we all get equal amounts.”
Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said Steel City NIL is a players-only effort, and he doesn’t know much about it.
“I’m not supposed to be involved in it,” he said. “If our guys are smiling, I’m happy. I want our guys to be happy. It’s great to line our kids’ pockets in some of those different ways.”
BREAKING: The Steel City NIL Club is LIVE NOW
Join the SCNC and support the whole team ⬇️ https://t.co/2a2rgVefXf
— Steel City NIL Club (@SteelCityNIL) August 9, 2022
Steel City NIL is the first such effort to involve the entire team. Past and present Pitt players have launched their own philanthropic initiatives since the NCAA made it legal last year for collegiate athletes to lend their name, image and likeness to charities and commercial businesses.
Among those who became involved were former players Kenny Pickett, Tre Tipton and John Petrishen while current players Deslin Alexandre, Carter Warren and several others are reaching out to the community.
