The death of the Pac-12 hit me hard.

As an alum of the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, some of my best times were spent watching Pac-12 football and hoops with my MBA classmates. We were season ticket holders to both.

James Harden was a Sun Devil at that time, and the Pac-12 was loaded – Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love were at UCLA, the Lopez twins at Stanford, Ryan Anderson at Cal, and O.J. Mayo at USC. It was a hoops junkie’s dream. And who could forget ASU football’s 8-0 start in 2007? Sun Devil Stadium was rocking.

But nostalgia must eventually give way to the present. The Pac-12’s demise has led to new opportunities for ASU, Arizona, and Utah in the Big 12, as well as for other league members transitioning to the Big Ten and ACC. These changes come during a period of great upheaval in college sports.

The advent of Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) has opened numerous opportunities for student-athletes while presenting an array of challenges for universities. Many schools, including ASU, have launched their own NIL funds. However, it’s not as simple as launching a fund and watching it flourish. It requires strategy, planning, and continuous effort.

Adding to these challenges is the recent $2.8 billion antitrust settlement proposal agreed to by the NCAA and the nation’s biggest conferences, paving the way for revenue-sharing with college athletes. This will undoubtedly create revenue pressures that athletic departments must creatively address. Balancing the need for NIL funds with maintaining donations to the general athletic department funds is crucial. This fund is essential for capital improvements to facilities, as universities strive to keep pace with their peers.

Once you decide how to position your funding opportunities, there’s still the challenge of storytelling – how to market these opportunities, engage your donor base, and make it all a reality. It’s a complex scenario that likely leads to many sleepless nights for athletic directors.

That’s where Victus Advisors comes into play. With our extensive experience working with universities and athletic departments, we understand the intricacies of this new landscape. Our background in market demand analysis and financial strategy allows us to develop cohesive plans that balance NIL fundraising with general athletic department needs. We specialize in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with donors, ensuring your funding goals are met.

Victus Advisors Services

At Victus Advisors, we offer a range of services to help athletic departments navigate these new challenges:

  • Premium/Donor Seating Demand & Opportunity Studies
  • Commercial Event Market Opportunity Analysis (Concerts, etc.)
  • Naming Rights & Sponsorship Asset Inventory & Valuation Analysis
  • Public-Private Partnership Advisory (Sports & Entertainment Districts, etc.)
  • Partner Services for Analyzing and Assessing F&B Profit Opportunities

Track Record of Success

We have a distinguished track record providing market demand studies for new and renovated facilities for colleges and helping schools maximize revenue. Some of our past clients include:

FBS Schools & Venues

  • Syracuse University (JMA Wireless Dome)
  • Army West Point (Michie Stadium)
  • University of Tennessee
  • Rose Bowl Stadium
  • New Aloha Stadium

FCS & NCAA Division II Schools & Venues

  • Tennessee Tech University (Tucker Stadium)
  • Utah Tech University (Greater Zion Stadium)
  • Cal State, San Bernardino

Division I Basketball

  • West Coast Conference
  • University of Illinois at Chicago (CreditUnion1 Arena)
  • University of North Florida (UNF Arena)
  • Georgia Southern University (Proposed Arena)
  • Bryant University (New Convocation Center & Arena)

Conclusion

In this era of transformation, Victus Advisors stands ready to assist athletic departments in maximizing revenue opportunities. We have a distinguished track record of providing market demand studies for new and renovated facilities, helping schools better navigate the increasing pressures to generate revenue in the complex landscape of NIL and revenue-sharing demands.

Let us handle the complexities, so you can focus on leading your programs to new heights. Victus Advisors is here to be your partner, navigating these changes and turning challenges into opportunities for success.