Patrick Mahomes Donates $10 Million to Launch NIL Fund for Nebraska Cornhuskers Athletes
In a groundbreaking move for college athletics, NFL superstar and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has donated $10 million to launch a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) fund specifically for athletes at the University of Nebraska. The donation establishes one of the largest NIL support initiatives in the Big 12, marking a major step forward in empowering student-athletes to benefit from their personal brands.
Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP and three-time Super Bowl champion, announced the initiative in partnership with the Nebraska athletic department and several alumni-led collectives. The fund will provide financial backing and branding support to student-athletes across all sports, allowing them to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness while maintaining NCAA eligibility.
“I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for athletes to have the tools and resources they need to succeed both on and off the field,” said Mahomes in a statement. “This is about more than just money—it’s about opportunity, education, and setting these young men and women up for life beyond college sports.”
The fund, called the Cornhuskers Elevate Initiative, is designed to create sustainable NIL opportunities for athletes through partnerships with local and national businesses, social media campaigns, appearances, and product endorsements. The initiative will also offer mentorship programs, financial literacy training, and branding workshops—resources that Mahomes believes are critical to developing well-rounded, successful individuals.
University of Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts praised the donation, calling it a “transformational moment” for the school. “Patrick’s gift is not only generous, it’s visionary. He understands what student-athletes need in today’s world and is helping us lead the way in doing things the right way.”
Mahomes’ ties to Nebraska come through family and personal connections. Though he played college football at Texas Tech, his wife Brittany Mahomes is originally from Nebraska, and he has long expressed admiration for the state’s passionate sports culture.
The donation instantly places Nebraska among the leaders in the evolving NIL landscape, where schools across the country are racing to build infrastructure to support their athletes. With Mahomes’ backing, the Cornhuskers now boast one of the most well-funded and high-profile NIL programs in the Big 12, positioning the school to attract top-tier talent in the years ahead.
As college athletics continue to evolve, Mahomes’ contribution underscores a growing trend of professional athletes investing in the future of student-athletes—both on the field and far beyond it.
