UCF NIL Collective Pokes Fun at Florida Coach with T-Shirt

University of Central Florida's NIL collective "The Kingdom" pokes fun at Florida coach Billy Napier's puzzling comments after loss.

Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier exits the bus during Gator Walk for the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun] / Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK

In a clever twist, the University of Central Florida has turned Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier's recent comments into a marketing opportunity.

Following the Gators' disappointing 41-17 loss to the Miami Hurricanes, Napier alluded to "rural central Florida" during his postgame press conference, a remark that was not unnoticed by fellow in-state program UCF.

UCF's NIL collective, The Kingdom, seized the moment by launching a t-shirt emblazoned with the phrase "RURAL CENTRAL FLORIDA," cleverly poking fun at the Gators' coach while supporting their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) fundraising efforts.

We like the rural part of Central Florida🤷 https://t.co/dqD3hNi9sH https://t.co/MXUuDA1vbU pic.twitter.com/xcgnxpXA5x

— The Kingdom NIL (@KingdomNIL) September 3, 2024

Priced at $25, these t-shirts serve as a humorous jab and contribute to UCF's NIL fund. A portion of the proceeds is toward enhancing the athletic program and supporting UCF’s student-athletes.

Napier's comments, which he humorously attributed to "some guy in his basement," were part of a broader discussion on the need for improvement within the Gators' program after the embarrassing loss to the Hurricanes. This was capitalized on instantly by The Kingdom, quickly making shirts poking fun at Napier. As UCF prepares for their upcoming matchup against the Gators on October 5, 2024, the t-shirts will likely become a talking point, growing anticipation for the game.

UCF's prompt and humorous response exemplifies how college sports teams can creatively engage with their fanbase to help bolster their athletic programs within the NIL era. While Napier’s offhand comment may seem frivolous and insignificant initially, UCF capitalized on it, benefitting its student-athletes and athletic program.