SAN DIEGO -- San Diego State Athletics proudly announces the launch of the Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund, a bold initiative designed to elevate Aztec Athletics as we enter a new era of college sports. This fund will play a critical role in strengthening our ability to recruit, retain, and support top-tier student-athletes as we prepare to transition into the Pac-12 Conference. All contributions are tax-deductible.
As the college athletics landscape evolves, particularly with the passing of the House Settlement that was approved earlier today (June 6, 2025), this fund ensures SDSU is prepared to meet the future head-on. With the implementation of the House Settlement on July 1, 2025, universities will be permitted to directly share revenue with student-athletes, in exchange for licensing their NIL, in addition to continuing to offer scholarships, housing, meals, and other essential benefits. Revenue sharing for schools will be capped at approximately $20.5 million in 2025-26, with increases in subsequent years.
San Diego State is committed to making forward-thinking investments that support the holistic development of our student-athletes. The Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund is the first step of significant investments we will make to remain competitive in this new chapter, ensuring that Aztec Athletics continues to thrive both on and off the field.
"As we prepare for our entry into the Pac-12, this fund is a vital step in ensuring we continue to compete for championships while also aligning SDSU Athletics with the future of college sports," said SDSU director of athletics John David Wicker. "Our student-athletes deserve the very best, and this initiative allows us to directly invest in their experience while sustaining the proud tradition of Aztec excellence."
Building on a Strong Foundation
We are incredibly grateful for the impactful work of the MESA Foundation and Aztec Link, whose leadership has driven tremendous progress in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) space over the past several years. Their efforts have empowered student-athletes and their families with life-changing opportunities and helped SDSU remain competitive on the national stage.
Through collaboration with Aztec NIL, SDSU’s internal name, image, and likeness department, both collectives will continue to play a vital role moving forward by creating partnerships with businesses, charitable causes and through unique fan engagement opportunities. As the Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund comes online, MESA Foundation and Aztec Link will remain essential to SDSU's NIL fundraising strategy, complementing our overall approach to the student-athlete experience.
How the Aztec Nation Can Get Involved
If you’ve previously supported NIL efforts through MESA Foundation or Aztec Link—thank you! As we navigate this new era, we have created an FAQ document to help cover common questions. When we learn more from the ruling and corresponding NCAA rule changes, we will update this link for FAQs.
Here's how you can continue supporting Aztec student-athletes in this next phase:
- Continue your support through existing NIL channels to help create opportunities in our community for student-athletes.
- Make a donation or commit to a pledge to the Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund
- Purchase season tickets to our ticketed sports as another way to increase revenue that can be shared with student-athletes.
Make your gift today and help lay the foundation for our future in the Pac-12. Contributions to the Student-Athlete Recruitment and Retention Fund will also count toward exclusive donor recognition programs, including your Aztec Club priority points. If you're interested in providing leadership-level support or have any questions, please contact the Aztec Club at (619)-594-6444 or aztecclub@sdsu.edu.
Supporters of MESA Foundation and Aztec Link will receive more information in the coming weeks about opportunities to continue supporting NIL while also participating in this new fund.
About San Diego State Athletics
San Diego State Athletics is dedicated to excellence in academics, competition, and personal growth for all student-athletes. With our move to the Pac-12 Conference in 2026, Aztec Athletics is poised for unprecedented opportunity and national prominence. This is more than a moment—it's our future. And it starts now.