UNLV’s $150,000 half-court shot promotion for Tuesday night's game against San Diego State is serving as a “test run” for a “plan to change the face of NIL funding for the Scarlet and Gray,” according to Mike Grimala of the LAS VEGAS SUN. For the past three years, the Friends of UNLV collective has been “building a donor network with the goal of sustainably funding the basketball and football programs” -- and the “whale” of that network is the casino industry. Friends of UNILV Chair Bill Paulos noted that the “problem” is that casinos are “not allowed to donate directly to NIL collectives.” The Palms is sponsoring the $150,000 Half-Court Madness promotion by “putting up the prize money, but that’s not all the company is doing.” If a UNLV fan wants to enter their name to possibly be chosen for the shot, they can “head to the Friends of UNILV website and donate.” The Palms is then “offering vouchers, matching all donations up to $100, which can be redeemed for food, beverages and free play at Palms properties within a week of purchase.” The strategy is a “way to allow a casino to invest in NIL.” Two weeks out from the promotion, Paulos said that the contest had “raised more than $10,000 in donations.” He “hopes to pass the $50,000 mark by today.” All of the money collected will be “earmarked for UNLV basketball players.” The “key” is “getting people used to the idea of donating in return for vouchers.” It is a blueprint that, if successful, “could be duplicated across various UNLV sports” (LAS VEGAS SUN, 3/5).
