NIL stands for “Name, Image, and Likeness.” It represents the rights that allow student-athletes to profit from their personal brand. Since NCAA rule changes in July 2021, athletes can earn money through endorsements, promotional activities, and other business ventures. Examples include partnering with local businesses, hosting events, and selling personalized merchandise.

The Golden Eagle Collective is an independent organization created to facilitate NIL opportunities for Tennessee Tech student-athletes. While the Golden Eagle Collective is the “official” collective of Tennessee Tech University, we are not affiliated with the university. The Collective works closely with the Tennessee Tech community—including alumni, local businesses, and fans—to create mutually beneficial engagements that help our athletes thrive both on and off the field.

Our Collective is committed to empowering student-athletes by:

Facilitating NIL Deals: We secure personalized endorsement and promotional opportunities tailored to each athlete’s unique brand.

Brand Building: Providing resources and training on managing personal brands for long-term success.

Financial Literacy and Life Skills: Offering guidance on budgeting, taxes, and professional development to prepare athletes for life beyond college sports.

The Collective’s entire purpose is to provide direct financial assistance to Golden Eagle Athletes through NIL deals. As such, the money only goes to two places:

Operational Costs: Funds cover essential operational expenses, such as website development and maintenance, compliance support, payment processing support, events, and administrative costs. Luckily, we have been able to get contributions from a number of individual donors to help us cover many of these startup and operating expenses.

Direct Financial Support: Everything not used for those business operation expenses gets paid directly to Golden Eagle Athletes in the form of NIL deals. It is our goal for more than 90% of membership fees and donations to be paid out in direct financial support of our student-athletes. The majority of Collectives pay out student-athletes in the 70-75% range, so we take pride in our expense ratio to better our student-athletes. The more donations we get, the higher the percentage that goes to the student-athletes since most of the operational expenses are a fixed cost.

Targeted Assistance: When you designate a donation to a specific athlete, 100% of that amount goes directly to supporting that individual’s NIL endeavors.

Contributions to the Golden Eagle Collective are not tax-deductible as charitable donations. Our Collective is structured as an independent entity focused on supporting NIL opportunities for Tennessee Tech student-athletes, rather than as a 501(c)(3) organization. However, if you are a business partner, your contribution may be deductible as a business expense—typically under marketing or advertising. We recommend consulting with your tax professional to understand the specifics of your situation. We operate in full compliance with NCAA guidelines and state regulations regarding NIL activities while ensuring that all agreements are legally sound and ethically managed.

There are several ways to support the Golden Eagle Collective:

Become a Member: Join with a monthly membership—starting at an affordable rate—to enjoy exclusive benefits while directly supporting our athletes.

One-Time Donations: Contribute a one-time gift via our website to help offset the living and training costs faced by our student-athletes.

Business Partnerships: Local businesses can collaborate with our athletes on marketing and promotional campaigns. We assist with everything from contract creation to compliance.

Local businesses that partner with the Golden Eagle Collective can:

Increase Brand Exposure: Leverage the popularity of Tennessee Tech athletics to reach a wider, engaged audience.

Engage Directly with the Community: Build strong relationships with fans and the local community through athlete-led events and promotions.

Support Local Talent: Directly contribute to the well-being and professional growth of our student-athletes.

All NIL agreements facilitated by the Golden Eagle Collective include provisions that address unexpected changes—such as transfers or turning professional. These contractual safeguards help ensure that funds and opportunities are protected even if an athlete’s circumstances change.

No. Compensation is tailored to reflect the value of each athlete’s personal brand, sport, and the specifics of each NIL deal. Every agreement is individually negotiated to ensure fair market value for the athlete’s unique contributions.

We believe in a transparent and collaborative approach. To learn more or express your interest in supporting the Collective, please:

Visit Our Website: For the latest news, event updates, and ways to contribute.

Connect on Social Media: Follow our official channels for real-time updates and athlete stories.

Contact Us Directly: We welcome inquiries from fans, alumni, and businesses looking to make a difference.