The Bluejay Beat

Dear Creighton Bluejays,

Welcome to the premiere issue of The Bluejay Beat! We're excited to share the latest with you about the amazing things our coaches and student-athletes are accomplishing on the court, at the University, and in the community. In this newsletter, we'll also share Creighton Athletics' perspective on significant developments across the college sports landscape.

Additionally, each newsletter will include a few ways that you can make a difference. As a department, our mission is to develop leaders of character through academic achievement, competitive excellence, and community engagement. And while we're proud of our progress, we're aiming for more. With your help, we're confident we can reach new heights.

WHAT'S INSIDE THIS ISSUE

The primary focus of this edition is to update you on the significant changes coming out of the recent House v. NCAA settlement. I'll also share how Creighton Athletics is adapting to this evolving landscape—and how you can help us not just survive, but thrive.

In February, I wrote to our fan base outlining the proposed NCAA rule changes pending court approval. As you may know, the settlement was officially approved on June 6, 2025, resolving the landmark antitrust case and ushering in a new era in college athletics.

Let's walk through some of the major changes and how Creighton is responding.

REVENUE SHARING

As part of the settlement, schools can now share revenue directly with student-athletes. To oversee this new model, the defendant conferences have formed the College Sports Commission (CSC), which will also monitor third-party Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements.

We officially began revenue sharing on July 28, 2025, distributing payments to student-athletes in revenue-generating sports as well as programs we've identified that will require payments to meet our strategic objectives and various compliance standards. These funds come from media rights, ticket sales, sponsorships, royalties, private donations, and NCAA/conference distributions.

As expected, the majority of revenue sharing will support our Men's Basketball program—our primary revenue driver. Our goal is to fund this program at a level consistent with the top-performing teams in the BIG EAST and nationally.

We've had a strong start this season, thanks in large part to excellent support through ticket sales, sponsorships, and private donations.

Season Ticket Renewal Rates

Here's a quick look at renewal rates for the 2025–26 season:

Program	Renewal Rate
Men's Basketball	95%
Women's Volleyball	90%
Men's Soccer	87%

A 95% renewal rate for Men's Basketball is among the best in the country—thank you! These tickets represent a significant portion of our revenue, and continued growth is vital.

Women's Volleyball fans have renewed at a 90% rate, with season ticket sales once again reaching a sellout for the second straight year.

Meanwhile, Women's Basketball renewals are slightly below our 90% target. Supporting this program through ticket purchases—both season and individual—is critical. The team has reached the NCAA Tournament four years in a row, and with your help, we can build on that momentum.

There is no better time to engage with the Men's and Women's Soccer programs, as we host Socctoberfest on September 5! It's a double header packed with excitement: the women take on #13 Arkansas at 5 p.m., followed by the men's match against Denver at 7:45 p.m. For just $35, you'll receive a commemorative Socctoberfest stein (with your first fill included!), a meal ticket, and a general admission to the match.

Philanthropic Giving

Philanthropic support continues to play a crucial role in revenue sharing and overall operations. To offer more flexibility for donors, we've expanded and redefined our sport-specific and general operations funds. You can now direct contributions to sport-specific "excellence funds" in addition to current sport funds. These excellence funds allow for restricted-use giving, enabling donors to direct their contributions to a certain area of the program.

To support these funds, click here.

Corporate Partnerships

Corporate partners are vital to our success. These mutually beneficial relationships help local and national businesses align with a brand built on excellence, while also supporting our programs and student-athletes.

Learn more about our Corporate Partnership Program.

NCAA Tournament Success Matters

NCAA Tournament appearances—especially in men's basketball—carry significant financial benefits. Conference distributions are based on the number of games played, with additional incentives for schools that advance.

The NCAA also now provides payments for women's basketball tournament participation, further highlighting the importance of investing in this program.

Diversifying Revenue Streams

We've also grown revenues in other key areas, including royalties and licensing, facility rentals, special events and neutral-site games, and multi-team events. Continued progress in these categories is essential for future sustainability.

RETROACTIVE NIL PAYMENTS

Over the next 10 years, the NCAA and conferences will pay $2.78 billion in back-pay to student-athletes who competed from 2016 to the present. These payments stem from a court ruling that NCAA restrictions on NIL rights violated antitrust laws.

To fund this, member institutions—including Creighton—will receive reduced NCAA distributions. We'll be tightening our budget and prioritizing strategic investments to absorb this financial impact.

SCHOLARSHIP AND ROSTER LIMIT CHANGES

Scholarship limits are being replaced by roster limits, allowing programs to offer as many scholarships as needed—up to the roster maximum. Current student-athletes will be protected during a phase-in period. Creighton will manage this transition carefully on a team-by-team basis.

THIRD-PARTY NIL RULES

The CSC has created "NIL Go," a clearinghouse for third-party NIL payments over $600. This is to ensure these payments are for valid business purposes related to the promotion or endorsement of goods or services at "fair market value" rates. All deals must be disclosed within five business days, and failure to do so could result in a student-athlete's ineligibility.

Education is key. We're actively working to ensure our student-athletes and their partners understand these new requirements.

LOOKING AHEAD

Creighton Athletics is guided by the highest standards of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and has a legacy built on excellence. We're deeply grateful to our student-athletes, coaches, staff—and you—for creating a program we're proud of. We aim to be the model program in the BIG EAST, and your continued support is essential.

5 WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Buy Tickets
Attend games – Your presence creates a strong home-court advantage
Make a donation – Support a cause or sport that matters to you
Share – Spread the word about our corporate partnership opportunities
Rep the Jays – Wear Creighton gear proudly!

ONE MORE THING

Alumni and Family Weekend, also known as Creighton Days, is September 12 – 14, 2025. There is a packed schedule of exciting events headlined by a pre-game picnic prior to our men's soccer game vs. Oral Roberts at 7 p.m. on September 13. Additional information about Creighton Days, including registration, can be found here.

We're excited about what's ahead, and we can't wait to see you cheering on the Bluejays this year as we build upon the success of our teams, our department, and our University.

Go Jays!

Marcus Blossom
McCormick Endowed Athletic Director