One of the name, image and likeness ("NIL") collectives supporting Syracuse Orange athletes is shutting down.
Two sources told me on Thursday that Orange United is closing up shop. Orange United launched in September of 2023, roughly two years ago, as the preferred collective of SU Athletics. At that time, I was told that Orange United had signed a deal with multi-media rights company LEARFIELD to be an official partner of, and the preferred collective for, SU Athletics.
Earlier this year, Syracuse Orange athletics director John Wildhack said that by July 1, when the multi-billion House settlement took effect and schools could start paying their players directly, the NIL strategy surrounding 'Cuse athletes would be streamlined.
SU players have been supported, in the NIL space, by three collectives. They are Orange United, SU Football NIL and Athletes Who Care. SU Football NIL focuses on supporting Syracuse football players in NIL deals.
Athletes Who Care, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, works with Syracuse Orange athletes "to provide meaningful charitable opportunities," according to its Web site. Orange United, meanwhile, was formed to support Syracuse athletes in all sports, including men’s and women’s basketball.
As of July 1, that streamlining had not occurred, and on that date, an SU Athletics spokesperson said that all three collectives remained in existence.
A commercial NIL collective supporting Syracuse Orange athletes is shutting down.
My biggest question is this: Which collective, moving forward, will provide support for NIL deals related to the men's and women's basketball programs, and other ‘Cuse sports? SU Football NIL has the football program covered, but I’ve been given no indication that this organization is supporting other Syracuse Orange sports.
An SU Athletics spokesperson, on Thursday, didn't immediately provide a comment one way or another.
Orange United had been operated by the Atlanta-based Student Athlete NIL ("SANIL"). In February of this year, the Las Vegas-based Blueprint Sports was planning to acquire SANIL. I sent an e-mail to a Blueprint Sports spokesperson on Thursday morning, but it wasn't returned.
On Thursday, the Sports Business Journal reported that SANIL is shutting down its operations. SANIL's acquisition by Blueprint Sports never occurred, a source told me. Mark Hayes, who had been serving as the general manager of Orange United, couldn't be immediately reached for comment on Thursday.