Florida Victorious Absorbs Gator Collective to Reform UF NIL Efforts
Photo: University of Florida's Heavener Football Training Center; Credit: Isabella Marley, UAA Communications
Jose Costa and Nate Barbera believed it was time for a change.
Founders of the Florida Achievement Support Trust (F.A.S.T.), a 501(c)(3) organization that quietly entered the Florida NIL picture last June, Costa and Barbera realized an opportunity to expand their reach.
Having now rebranded their operation as Florida Victorious, a community service-driven effort that benefits Gators athletes, Costa and Barbera view their subscription-based model as the "new lead NIL entity" working closely with the university.
Logo provided by Florida Victorious
"Around the country, we've seen the impacts of strong NIL programs," Barbera, CEO of Florida Victorious, told All Gators in an interview on Monday. "It was just time for us to unify our NIL efforts, step up to the plate and deliver for UF student-athletes."
Florida's new marquee NIL organization was built on the foundation of three core objectives, according to its creators.
Of course, via contributions from members of the community, Florida athletes will have opportunities to benefit financially from their name, image and likeness, which they were able to do under the university's previous flagship NIL program, the Gator Collective.
According to Barbera, the Florida Victorious Foundation, a non-profit wing of the larger Florida Victorious operation, will also focus on promoting charitable efforts in partnership with establishments such as Habitat for Humanity, the Ronald McDonald House, St. Francis House, Bread of the Mighty Food Bank, Southwest Advocacy Group (SWAG) of Gainesville, North Central Florida YMCA, Food4Kids, and The Education Foundation of Alachua County Inc.
Creating opportunities for Florida athletes to connect with fans is also among the organization's primary goals.
"One, we're delivering life-changing impacts for our student-athletes by using their Name, Image and Likeness as a force for good in their communities," Barbera said. "Two, we're providing unique experiences and content for our fans to connect with UF student-athletes. And three, we're creating value for the charities that we work with and our other partners through our promotional activities."
Similar to the pay-for-access business prototype brought to the UF NIL market by the Gator Collective, Florida Victorious offers fans four membership tiers ranging from $15 to $250 per month. According to a press release from Florida Victorious, 90%+ of revenues will go to student-athletes.
"Depending on the level of commitment, benefits include exclusive student-athlete content, access to Florida Victorious events, message boards and merchandise, VIP events with student-athletes and coaches, networking opportunities and more," the statement read.
The "most exciting" tier, Barbera shared, is the '96 Club, named in honor of Florida's first National Championship-winning football team in 1996.
"Members of that tier will receive a polo and a hat or visor with the '96 Club logo that was designed by Gator Great James Bates, who was on that team," Barbera described. "It'll also have an annual event at Spurrier's Gridiron Grille with the Head Ball Coach and other members of the '96 team."
Establishing a new entity through which fans can contribute to the NIL well-being of the university became a necessity in recent months.
A multi-million dollar NIL snafu between the Gator Collective and 2023 quarterback Jaden Rashada led the highly-regarded prospect to back out of his pledge to the university and, understandably, created a rift between Florida faithful and the primary avenue through which they could support the school's athletes.
The emergence of Florida Victorious is timely.
Florida Victorious will "welcome members of the Gator Collective at its launch to form a powerful, robust NIL organization," per the release. In accord, Gator Collective memberships have been absorbed by Florida Victorious.
However, Barbera clarified that Florida Victorious will not take on the existing contractual obligations of the Gator Collective and made note of the differences in the leadership teams of each organization. He offered the Gator Collective praise for its positive impact while making the need to chart a new path clear.
"Gator Collective has done a lot of wonderful things over the course of the last 18 months for the University of Florida student-athlete community," Barbera said. "Now is the right time for them to pass the baton to us so that we can launch the next era of NIL supporting University of Florida student-athletes. And we're excited to go forward."
It is unclear exactly how the Gator Collective will proceed, if at all.
Florida Victorious will move forward, however, with an advisory board comprised of former University of Florida athletes and successful alumni to pair with its leadership team of "passionate and dedicated professionals and UF alumni."
Debut members of the advisory group include former players Anthony Richardson, Danny Wuerffel, Trey Burton and Patric Young as well as other UF graduates such as Chris LaFace, Laura Rutledge and Stephenie Bryan. Florida mega-donors Gary Condron and Hugh Hathcock are among the group's members, too.
"We felt it was very important to include folks from all different areas who have had interactions with Name, Image and Likeness in the past: student-athletes, business people, members of the media," Barbera said. "They all bring a unique perspective and they can help to advise us in the future as we wade through the NIL environment and the NIL landscape. It will also help us get our name out and raise awareness for Florida Victorious and the Florida Victorious Foundation."
UF acknowledged its partnership with Florida Victorious on Tuesday, with athletic director Scott Stricklin, head football coach Billy Napier, head men's basketball coach Todd Golden, former quarterback and head coach Steve Spurrier and several players encouraging Gators fans to sign up.
“Gator fans and alumni are truly part of our team,” Napier said in a statement. “Their support of Florida Victorious allows us to be competitive in the NIL space and do it better than anyone in the country. We intend to continue teaching life lessons in college athletics, and this structure will create experiences for the players that will shape their character and values.”
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