Getty Image
Iowa Hawkeyes fans will soon have a way to both support their team and quench their thirst as the university’s NIL collective has introduced an awesome new partnership.
The program recently unveiled an agreement with Exile Brewing, which will see a custom beer release just for the Hawkeyes.
SWARM Golden Ale will launch soon, giving fans an “easy-drinking, well balanced, clean, and tailgate ready” beverage to sip on while rooting on their favorite team. Twenty percent of the ale’s revenues will reportedly be donated to Iowa’s NIL program.
Essentially, the more you consume, the more you’re helping the Hawkeyes win on the field.
NIL has become an integral part of recruiting as prospects are now looking for a way to secure their futures. Players can now compare offers from competing suitors, opting to pick the best fit whether that be for the money or the exposure.
We’ve already seen how these things can get out of hand quickly.
The Jalen Rashada saga was a prime example of this, as he jumped from seven-figure offer to seven-figure offer, eventually settling on a reported $13 million deal with the Florida Gators.
That agreement wound up falling through, but it shows the willingness schools and donors have to spend money if it means landing big-time recruits (cough… Texas A&M… cough).
We’ve also seen it in the transfer portal, with players being plucked from rosters (legally or illegally) as they jump from school to school.
This creative new NIL agreement in Iowa gives the Hawkeyes, and their fans, a way to compete on the recruiting trail.
Many have been quick to comment on the recent deal. Here’s what sports fans were saying after hearing about SWARM Golden Ale.
One person wrote, “This is a smart way for an NIL collective to raise some revenue.”
Someone else said, “I can’t blame the collectives for taking this route… Every college town brewer should be approaching their teams to partner. Huge marketing wins all around.”
Exile Brewing owner RJ Tursi believes this can be a big win for Iowa sports.
“If this beer gets to the level of popularity of our most popular beer, Ruthie, you’d be looking at a donation… of hundreds of thousands of dollars annually.”
Genius.