July 1 is a week away, and we've yet to hear anything publicly from SU Athletics regarding this supposed streamlining of third-party name, image and likeness ("NIL") entities supporting Syracuse Orange players.
I want to note that in June, I've sent multiple e-mails to an SU Athletics spokesperson. My messages, unfortunately, weren't returned.
The issue here stems from Syracuse Orange athletics director John Wildhack, in early March, stating that come July 1, he would streamline NIL initiatives on the Hill, and not all three third-party organizations would be in operation moving forward.
Those groups are Orange United, SU Football NIL and Athletes Who Care. Wildhack, in the spring, did say that SU Football NIL would continue to exist and could possibly expand its reach into basketball. That has led me to believe that perhaps Orange United and/or Athletes Who Care might go away, or it's possible that two or three of these entities could merge together.
In the past, multiple sources have told me that SU Athletics having multiple third-party NIL organizations in operation was not a sound strategy. I agree with this, as it could be confusing to 'Cuse fans which NIL organization they should donate to in support of NIL deals for Syracuse Orange athletes.
The multi-billion-dollar House settlement was recently approved.
Earlier this month, federal judge Claudia Wilken approved the multi-billion-dollar House settlement, which should go into effect on July 1 and paves the way for schools to directly pay their athletes for the first time ever.
This settlement, resolving three antitrust lawsuits at the federal level, will mark a new era in collegiate athletics, although new lawsuits contesting the settlement have already surfaced.
For the 2025-26 sports season, Wildhack has said that SU Athletics will share the maximum amount allowed with its players, approximately $20.5 million. SU Athletics has yet to say how this money will be divided up among Syracuse Orange teams, although Wildhack has said the funds will be weighted toward football and men's/women's basketball, with some money potentially going to Olympic sports.
Third-party NIL will remain in existence after July 1, albeit with new regulations, and Wildhack has stated the importance of these funds to help keep SU Athletics competitive with its peers in the Atlantic Coast Conference and around the country amid revenue-sharing.
I can understand if SU Athletics doesn't want to answer my questions at this time, but I sincerely hope that Wildhack and his staff provide Syracuse Orange fans with clarity on the NIL situation in Central New York sooner rather than later.