To be clear, giving money to a fund that pays players for use of their Name/Image/Likeness is NOT money to the program and it is NOT money to the school for facilities. It is money directly to players (or in this case, indirectly, because the players have banded together to contribute as a group and share the benefits). Just because a donation to the fund doesn't go to the school or even to athletics or Pete's budget doesn't mean it isn't good for the program though! Currently, I don't think a lot of players are thinking much about NIL $ when they make their collegiate decision and commitment. It is too new, and in too many cases largely insignificant. That, however, is changing quickly! In a sport like softball, where 20+ athletes split a max of 12 full scholarships, top athletes (the ones we want) are all going to be influenced by the degree to which the remaining gap can be closed. As a donor (and I understand that you're a generous one, VT4Natty), you get to make a choice in where/how you want to make a difference. Giving to a softball NIL fund is just one way that you can deliver an impact. If we have a well-known history of taking care of our athletes WELL by paying them for their N/I/L (in this case, in exchange for "exclusive content throughout the year" that the girls are providing), then we could end up with the upper hand in recruiting the best athletes. One perspective could be that getting better athletes has a FAR BIGGER IMPACT than a fancy pressbox or a better stadium. I'm perfectly good with "all of the above" and think that most of our donors would probably agree.