BYU Athletics Thrives with Big 12 Funding and NIL Support

[Pyreaux]

The LDS Church’s financial approach has historically been conservative, but BYU’s entry into the Big 12 has brought a noticeable increase in athletic investment. While church funds are not directly fueling these changes, the shift in conference affiliation has led to greater financial opportunities, including a full share of Big 12 media rights revenue, which is expected to exceed $50 million in the 2025-26 academic year.

This money helps fund coaching salaries, facilities, and recruiting efforts. One major factor in BYU’s growing sports competitiveness is its increasing access to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Many donors—beyond high-profile figures like Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith—are actively contributing to NIL collectives, allowing BYU to attract and retain top talent. The recent recruitment battles, such as securing Tanuvasa, highlight the program's growing financial flexibility and national appeal.

Additionally, BYU’s cultural appeal plays a key role in its recruitment strategy. Despite concerns from detractors who expected the Church to limit athletic investments, the school has doubled down on providing its athletes with competitive advantages while maintaining its unique Honor Code standards. The focus on strong coaching staff and player development, along with Power Four funding, has significantly boosted BYU’s ability to compete on a national level.

[Calm]

7 hours ago, Pyreaux said:

the school has doubled down on providing its athletes with competitive advantages while maintaining its unique Honor Code standards.

There is maintaining (as in saying ‘these are our standards’) and there is enforcing…I would love to see evidence the HC was at least as well enforced among all athletes as the typical student.  There has been over the years evidence some have been able to ignore the standards and rumors that are much worse than what gets published.

Edited February 19, 2025 by Calm

[blackstrap]

5 hours ago, Calm said:

rumors that are much worse than what gets published.

Those rumors were around over 60 years ago when I attended, but I am sure everything is much better now. 😏

[Calm]

41 minutes ago, blackstrap said:

Those rumors were around over 60 years ago when I attended, but I am sure everything is much better now. 😏

No doubt…..

[longview]

13 hours ago, Calm said:

13 hours ago, blackstrap said:

Those rumors were around over 60 years ago when I attended, but I am sure everything is much better now. 😏

No doubt…..

What about Jim McMahon? He had to tiptoe thru BYU.

https://fb.watch/xRSVGBzXir/

[Okrahomer]

On 2/19/2025 at 11:25 AM, longview said:

What about Jim McMahon? He had to tiptoe thru BYU.

https://fb.watch/xRSVGBzXir/

I doubt BYU was a place where Jim McMahon did a lot of anti-honor code things.  He once famously said, “BYU was no bed of roses”; and also bemoaned the fact that his college life experience did not reflect what some of his friends experienced:  https://www.abc4.com/news/former-quarterback-jim-mcmahon-bemoans-college-life-at-byu/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

He was also in one of my English classes, and he was usually there.  We had to grade each others final papers, and I have regretted ever since that I was probably too harsh in my assessment of his.