Name Image Likeness

Arkansas' Nostalgic NIL Play Should Be Followed by Other Schools

The Razorbacks NIL collective raised $1,000,000 to bring back the Slobbering Hog Logo at Bud Walton Arena.

Noah Henderson

Feb 2, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks former head coach Nolan Richardson smiles during a half time presentation at a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Tennessee 73-60. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-Imagn Images
Feb 2, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks former head coach Nolan Richardson smiles during a half time presentation at a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Tennessee 73-60. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-Imagn Images / Beth Hall-Imagn Images
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The University of Arkansas never stops pushing the envelope regarding NIL fundraising. Admittedly, that’s what you must do when competing in the SEC against schools with rabid donor bases like Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. Some of their attempts I have previously been critical of –– in my opinion, their NIL Collective’s attempt to circumvent state charitable gambling regulations to create 50/50 raffles for NIL funding took it a bit too far. However, their latest initiative was equally as cunning, without raising ethical concerns. 

On October 2, the University of Arkansas posted a video of the court in Bud Walton Arena indicating it was getting a touch-up. Without delay, fans quickly rushed to the comments to plead for the return of the iconic Slobbering Hog logo. Athletic Director Hunter Yuracheck did not miss a beat and informed his fan base that the athletic department would reinstate the new logo for the low price of $500,000 in NIL donations. The athletic department had recently received a matching donation offer and wanted to make sure that they got full use of the generosity of their donors. 

Within a week. The prophecy was fulfilled. In an age where society is often obsessed with nostalgia, fans were eager to welcome back the iconography of the Richardson era and the glory days of Razorback hoops. The offseason acquisition of legendary coach John Calipari has injected tremendous excitement into the program, which likely played a large part in the quick completion of the NIL fundraising challenge. 

In the college basketball universe, $500,000 is no small amount. Add the matching gift, and $1,000,000 will go very far in purchasing some elite talent. According to data below from Student Athlete NIL, in just one week, Arkansas has raised enough funds to acquire one of the top players in the transfer portal and add depth to the roster. All thanks to the Slobbering Hog. 

Those working at collectives nationwide have continually expressed concerns about donor fatigue. Since 2021, donors have constantly shelled out money to programs, often without actualizing any substantial performance boosts. Giving donors something substantive in return for their dollars is imperative to sustained NIL fundraising efforts. No athletic department can promise a championship-contending roster, but you can ensure a nod to nostalgia, and for some fans, that is more than enough. 

Arkansas is not the only school with an aesthetically pleasing retro logo. UCLA, Miami, Hawaii, and so many more have legendary vintage IPs that could be exploited for the players’ gain. Whether it is logos on the court, logos on helmets, vintage jerseys, or any other activation of retired imagery, schools would be wise to strategically deploy these assets. All schools, big or small, have unique visuals and traditions that are lost to the sands of time. With those traditions, existing fans with open wallets, are willing to pay a price to travel back to the good ol’ days. 

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Noah Henderson
NOAH HENDERSON

Professor Noah Henderson teaches in the sport management department at Loyola University Chicago. Outside the classroom, he advises companies, schools, and collectives on Name, Image, and Likeness best practices. His academic research focuses on the intersection of law, economics, and social consequences regarding college athletics, NIL, and sports gambling. Before teaching, Prof. Henderson was part of a team that amended Illinois NIL legislation and managed NIL collectives at the nation’s most prominent athletic institutions while working for industry leader Student Athlete NIL. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law in Urbana-Champaign and a Bachelor of Economics from Saint Joseph’s University, where he was a four-year letter winner on the golf team. Prof. Henderson is a native of San Diego, California, and a former golf CIF state champion with Torrey Pines High School. Outside of athletics, he enjoys playing guitar, hanging out with dogs, and eating California burritos. You can follow him on Twitter: @NoahImgLikeness. 

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