Torero Nation,

A new chapter in college athletics is here, and the University of San Diego is ready to move forward with clarity, purpose, and a commitment to embracing this new world for our student-athletes.

The recent approval of the House v. NCAA settlement represents a major shift in how college athletics will operate moving forward. Beginning July 1, universities will be able to directly share revenue with student-athletes, offer additional scholarships, and establish NIL agreements at the institutional level. These are significant changes and will impact our industry on all levels. That being said, we have been preparing for these changes and will embrace this new era on July 1st.

Where We Stand
At USD, our mission has always been to develop student-athletes who are prepared for life beyond sport — intellectually, personally, and professionally. That mission doesn't change in this new era; these will always be core tenets of who we are and what we do.

To keep pace with the shifting landscape, we have been taking intentional steps to prepare.  That includes adding a Chief Revenue Officer to guide our approach to revenue sharing and implementing broader internal strategies focused on competitive growth and long-term sustainability. As part of that, we're expanding how we leverage our world-class venues through strategic facility rental partnerships that build national exposure and deepen our ties to the community — including events like the NCAA Men's Basketball Rady Children's Invitational, which will make its debut at USD this fall.

As part of this realignment, we are also re-evaluating how our external NIL partnerships function. The Olé Foundation has played a critical and meaningful role in supporting student-athletes at the start of the NIL era, and we've worked collaboratively to determine the best model moving forward. As part of that evolution, the Olé Foundation will place a strong emphasis on Football NIL and will also serve as a marketing agency for our department. We deeply value their partnership and appreciate the leadership of Executive Director J.T. Rogan and his team.

Investing in Our Future
To stay ahead in this new era, we've launched the Championship Investment Fund — our internal strategy to navigate the new revenue-sharing environment. Unlike traditional NIL efforts that operate through the outside collective, this fund is overseen by USD Athletics, is tax-exempt, and is focused primarily on recruitment and retention efforts. It offers a clear and direct way for supporters to contribute to the athletic department and make an immediate impact on the student-athlete experience. As we move forward, this will be the preferred fund for supporting our athletes in this new era. Learn more about it here.

Inevitably, questions will arise about how we manage this evolving landscape and what resources are needed to stay competitive. We will continue to turn over every stone in search of new opportunities for growth and long-term sustainability. That said, I want to be clear — we have no intention of cutting sports or limiting opportunities for our student-athletes. Our goal remains the same: to deliver a championship-caliber experience for every team.

We've also launched SanDiegoNIL.com, a new hub that centralizes information around our NIL efforts, donor impact, and ways to get involved in supporting Torero student-athletes.

We've been deliberate about forming partnerships that share our mission and strengthen our brand. That includes a new partnership with Vuori, a global performance apparel brand founded by a proud Torero, continued collaboration with JMI Sports to grow visibility and revenue opportunities, and work with CUENTO, a marketing consultancy with a strong track record of enhancing the fan experience and brand exposure at both the college and professional levels.

Behind the scenes, we've made strategic improvements to strengthen our operations. From our recent transition to Paciolan, which will upgrade our ticketing and fan engagement systems, to our expanded use of platforms like Teamworks, Teamworks General Manager, INFLCR and RealResponse — we're investing in tools that make us more efficient. These upgrades help us create a high-performance environment where student-athletes not only thrive, but have a real voice in shaping their experience.

Join Us
Without question, this is a pivotal time for USD Athletics. We invite our alumni, fans, and donors to be part of this next phase. Your support through the Championship Investment Fund directly impacts our ability to grow, adapt, and excel. With your support, we can position USD as a model for what this new chapter of college athletics can and should be.

Thank you for your continued belief in our vision, and in the incredible student-athletes who represent the University of San Diego with pride and grit.

Go Toreros,

Kimya Massey
Associate Vice President & Executive Director of Athletics
University of San Diego