The Missouri Tigers NIL fund recently received a massive boost as they announced that an anonymous donor gifted them $62 million, and a portion of that donation is meant for the Tiger Fund, which is the Missouri Tigers’ direct NIL collective.
The $62 million dollar donation was reportedly the biggest donation ever received by the Missouri Tigers athletic department. $50 million of the donation is supposed to be used for improvements to Memorial Stadium, which is the home field for the Missouri Tiers.
The remaining $12 million is supposed to be meant for the Tiger Fund, which is Missouri’s NIL collective. A new Missouri law allows the Missouri Tigers to fundraise directly through their own scholarship fund, the Tiger Fund, instead of going through a third party like most other programs are forced to do.
Director of Athletics Desireeé Reed-Francoi addressed the generosity of the donation in an article directly from the Missouri Tigers website.
“This extraordinary commitment is a major step toward fulfilling our vision to transform Memorial Stadium and create the best college football game-day atmosphere in the country,” Reed-Francois said. “Our pivotal stadium project is not possible without our donor, whose passion for Mizzou’s success, coupled with humility, faith and generosity, are unparalleled.
“Mizzou Football fans displayed their passion last season with five consecutive home sellouts, and our donor’s momentous contribution will not only enhance those magical experiences at Memorial Stadium but will greatly impact our student-athletes across every sport as they pursue their dreams as Tigers.
“We would like to thank our Board of Curators and President Choi for their support, and we are also grateful for Mizzou Senior Associate Director of Athletics Greg Hulen and Vice Chancellor Jackie Lewis for their efforts on this generous commitment.”
The Missouri Tigers are now on the top end of NIL funding around the nation

Earlier this offseason, reports surfaced that the Ohio State Buckeyes spent $13 million in NIL money. Those reports were disputed, but transparency is not required when it comes to NIL funds, so there is no real way to tell what the exact number is.
According to On3 Sports’ Pete Nakos, high-level NIL collectives around the country are in the $8 million to $12 million range when it comes to spending.
If this report is accurate, that means this singular donation makes the Missouri Tigers one of the richest NIL teams in the country. That doesn’t account for all the other donations that were given to the Tigers.
According to Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Matt Rhule, a good quarterback from the transfer portal costs $1.5 million to $2 million.
Nebraska Football Coach Matt Rhule said a Top QB that’s in the transfer portal costs about 1-2 million dollars 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/8G1POZ3uji
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) November 29, 2023
Missouri Tigers quarterback Brady Cook announced his intentions to return to the program for the 2024 season, so the Tigers will have the opportunity to use that money to build around him. Cook threw for over 3,300 yards last season, and he accounted for 29 total touchdowns.
One of the best Missouri Tigers football seasons in years could’ve sparked the NIL/stadium donation

The Missouri Tigers and head coach Eli Drinkwitz achieved 11 wins this season, and it was the first time they did so since the 2014 season under Gary Pinkel. Missouri capped off the season with a 14-3 Cotton Bowl victory over Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State Buckeyes.
Running back Cody Schrader was considered one of the best in the country. He finished with 1,627 yards on the ground and 14 touchdowns. Schrader finished eighth overall in Heisman voting with only one running back finishing ahead of him.
Schrader failed to eclipse the 100-yard mark just four times this season. He had over 200 yards on the ground in two of his last four games. There were only two games in which Schrader did not find the end zone.
Missouri finished 29th in points per game, and 28th in total offense. Only four SEC teams ranked higher in total offense. Missouri was a well-rounded team as they only allowed 20.8 points per game, which was good for 25th in the nation.
The Tigers’ only two losses came to the Georgia Bulldogs, who were No. 2 in the country at the time, and the LSU Tigers. Outside of the win over Ohio State, Missouri had other marquee victories over the No. 13 Tennessee Volunteers and the No. 15 Kansas State Wildcats.
The previous record gift to the Missouri athletic department came in 2012 when they first moved to the SEC from the Big 12. This $62 million donation is double that gift.
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