Louisville basketball NIL collective 502 Circle has received a $1 million matching donation.
It’s an exciting time to be a Louisville basketball fan, and a local businessman is doing what it takes to make UofL among the most competitive programs in the country.
Glow Brands (Planet Fitness, Buff City Soap, and Sun Tan City) announced on Monday that it is beginning a $1 million matching campaign for all donations earmarked for Louisville men’s basketball.
For those doing the math, that means Louisville basketball should be receiving up to $2 million going directly to players in the program.
“Pat (Kelsey) needs to understand, and 502 Circle needs to understand, that we are here to support them,” said Rick Kueber, founder and owner of Sun Tan City and franchise owner of many Louisville-area Planet Fitness locations.
Going back to 2008, Kueber says he and his brother have donated approximately $10 million. Since the incorporation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities, Kueber has been directing his focus toward money going directly to Louisville athletes.
“We need our teams to be competitive… We need kids like my son, that grew up in Cardinal Athletics… It’s important to the fabric of the community.”
“Louisville is a different place when the basketball team is winning,” said Kueber.
Starting Monday, every donation directed toward men’s basketball will be matched by the Kuebers until the Circle hits the $1 million mark.
How competitive does this make Louisville basketball in terms of NIL money?
“I’d say we are in the top 10” in both basketball and football, says Kueber. Sources close to the program indicate that the Cardinals are even with or exceeding money raised by other top men’s basketball programs.
Several fans have already indicated on social media that they are donating $1,000-plus on Monday.
Louisville received 35 one-time donations in the first 20 minutes of the announcement. If UofL receives 1,000 donations of that size, the program will meet its goals. However, donations of all amounts are accepted and will be matched by the Kuebers.
This will give Louisville basketball the opportunity to swing for the fences and land some of the biggest-name players in the sport.
You can donate to @the502circle on Venmo or at 502circle.com.
