SIAC NIL Deals: How Fans Support SIAC Athletes (ENHANCED)

The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference exemplifies Division II HBCU excellence in the Southeast. As the nation’s second-oldest HBCU athletic conference, the SIAC blends historic tradition with modern NIL strategies. Examples include NIL Clubs at Morehouse and Tuskegee and scheduling alliances with Conference Carolinas. Here’s how SIAC fans can support their athletes through platforms like RallyFuel.

Why the SIAC Matters in NIL

The SIAC has become a unique NIL environment for important reasons:

• Division II HBCU Excellence: The SIAC is a premier NCAA Division II conference. It has 15 member institutions in seven states: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Ohio. As the second-oldest HBCU athletic conference, the SIAC has served as a cultural and competitive anchor for HBCU athletics since 1913.
• House Settlement Insulation: Unlike Division I schools, which are required to budget $20.5 million in annual revenue sharing, SIAC schools are exempt from the settlement’s mandatory provisions. Their financial model remains driven by institutional support and student fees, insulating them from the “bankruptcy risk” faced by mid-major D1 programs.
• “Trickle-Down” Financial Impact: The settlement’s $2.8 billion in back damages diminishes NCAA distributions to Division II conferences. SIAC institutions must adjust to lower central distributions while Division I roster limits (105 for football) prompt talented players to transfer to leading D2 conferences like the SIAC.
• NIL Club Ecosystem: Player-led subscription communities are active across the conference. Schools like Morehouse, Tuskegee, and Clark Atlanta have embraced the model, with fans paying $5-$10 monthly for exclusive content and proceeds split equally among roster members.
• Conference Carolinas Football Alliance: The SIAC has entered a strategic scheduling collaboration for 2025-2026. “Week 11” matchups pair non-championship teams from both conferences, boosting the strength of schedule for NCAA playoff at-large bids. SIAC hosts in 2025 (November 15), Conference Carolinas hosts in 2026 (November 14).
• Expansion and Stability: Talladega College is transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II and will achieve full SIAC membership by 2026-2027. While D1 contracts and consolidates, D2 conferences, such as the SIAC, are stabilizing and growing.
• Cadence Bank Sponsorship: The conference has secured corporate sponsorship to support recruiting and athletic operations across member institutions.

The result: SIAC athletes have engaged communities across the Southeast, and NIL support connects these fanbases directly with their student-athletes.

SIAC NIL by School

NIL activity spans SIAC programs:

• Albany State University: Golden Rams with Albany, Georgia community support. A recent coaching transition following Quinn Gray’s departure to FAMU triggered player movement, including star QB Isaiah Knowles (SIAC Offensive Player of the Year) transferring to follow his coach.
• Allen University: Yellow Jackets with Columbia, SC community support. Aggressive transfer portal strategy—17 collegiate transfers in the 2025 recruiting class under Coach Cedric Pearl. Notable transfers include Marcus Fleming (Maryland) and Chauncey Caldwell (NC Central). EDGE Amarie Fleming (SIAC sack leader) transferred to Texas Tech, validating conference talent.
• Benedict College: Tigers with Columbia, SC community support. Conference powerhouse attracting transfers from SEC and ACC rosters (Kentucky, Pitt). Undefeated regular seasons and playoff appearances have elevated the brand beyond typical D2 boundaries. Key incoming transfers include Jaremiah Anglin Jr. (Kentucky/Pitt) and Emanuel Brown (UTSA/ULM).
• Central State University: Marauders with Wilberforce, Ohio community support. Conference’s northernmost outpost extending SIAC reach beyond traditional Deep South boundaries.
• Clark Atlanta University: Panthers in the Atlanta University Center with metro Atlanta market access. NIL Clubs are active for Women’s Basketball, Men’s Cross Country, and Spirit Teams. Recent coaching change with Teddy Keaton’s departure after a 3-7 season signals a “different direction” focus.
• Edward Waters University: Tigers with Jacksonville, Florida community support. “Flip the Script” recruiting strategy with mid-year transfers to accelerate roster improvement. Mix of high school and transfer talent for 2025-2026.
• Fort Valley State University: Wildcats with Middle Georgia community support. Balanced recruiting approach mixing high-ceiling Georgia high school talent (Valdosta HS, Langston Hughes HS) with targeted transfers for sustainable success.
• Kentucky State University: Thorobreds with Frankfort, Kentucky community support. Growing program with developing NIL infrastructure.
• Lane College: Dragons with Jackson, Tennessee community support. Growing program with a regional fanbase.
• LeMoyne-Owen College: Magicians with the Memphis, Tennessee community support. Growing program with urban market access.
• Miles College: Golden Bears with Birmingham metro (Fairfield, AL) market access. Strong athletic programs with a regional following.
• Morehouse College: Maroon Tigers in the Atlanta University Center. Comprehensive NIL Club ecosystem with active clubs for Men’s Soccer, Spirit Team, Basketball, and Baseball. Baseball raised over $2,200 toward the $2,700 monthly goal. Men-only private college with a devoted alumni network.
• Savannah State University: Tigers with Savannah, Georgia community support. New head coach Thomas Howard(28th in program history) brings defensive expertise from Fayetteville State. The 2026 signing class emphasizes size and defensive solidity, including Anthony Wilson (GHSA Class AA Defensive Player of the Year).
• Spring Hill College: Badgers with Mobile, Alabama community support. Private Catholic institution (founded 1830) with Gulf Coast regional following.
• Talladega College: (Provisional Member) Transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II. Currently ineligible for NCAA postseason. Full membership expected 2026-2027. The move aligns with the institutional strategic plan, emphasizing enrollment stability and student-athlete experience.
• Tuskegee University: Golden Tigers with historic Alabama community support. Men’s Club Basketball NIL Club is active with behind-the-scenes content. Featured in Red Tails Classic honoring Tuskegee Airmen. Historic legacy and devoted alumni RallyFuel features verified SIAC athletes for direct fan engagement.n support.

SIAC NIL Beyond Football

The SIAC excels in NIL across multiple sports:

• Football: Conference eliminated divisional format (East/West) in 2023. The Championship Game now features the top two teams by winning percentage. Week 11 alliance with Conference Carolinas boosts “Super Region” playoff résumés. Benedict College operates as a perennial powerhouse, attracting D1 transfer talent. Allen University’s aggressive portal strategy includes 17 transfers.
• Men’s Basketball: Morehouse Basketball NIL Club is active with an engaged AUC alumni network. Strong programs across the conference with regional rivalries.
• Women’s Basketball: Clark Atlanta Women’s Basketball NIL Club ensures female athletes have monetization mechanisms. Strong programs with developing NIL infrastructure.
• Baseball: Morehouse Baseball NIL Club raised over $2,200 toward its $2,700 monthly goal, demonstrating sustainable income streams through community subscription models.
• Spirit Teams: Morehouse and Clark Atlanta Spirit Team NIL Clubs extend monetization opportunities beyond traditional varsity sports.
• Cross Country: Clark Atlanta Men’s Cross Country NIL Club highlights the expansion of NIL into Olympic sports at the Division II level.

Fan-powered platforms like RallyFuel enable support across all SIAC sports—not just football.

How SIAC Fans Can Support Athletes

SIAC fans can fuel current roster athletes through RallyFuel in a few simple steps:

1. Create an account on RallyFuel.com or the mobile app.
2. Select your SIAC school affiliation.
3. Browse verified athletes currently on your program’s roster.
4. Fuel athletes across any sport
5. Track your support through your fan dashboard.

How It Works: When you purchase Fan Fuel, you’re purchasing Conditional NIL Engagement Rights (CNERs). If conditions are met, RallyFuel or its affiliate offers an NIL Agreement to the athlete. If conditions aren’t met—for example, if an athlete transfers—you receive an automatic refund.

Additional Support Channels:

• NIL Clubs: Subscribe to team-specific fan communities (Morehouse Baseball, Tuskegee Basketball, Clark Atlanta Women’s Basketball) with $5-$10 monthly subscriptions and proceeds split equally among athletes
• Influxer Merchandise: Purchase athlete-branded apparel with royalties going directly to student-athletes

Conditional Protection: RallyFuel’s conditional model protects Fan Fuel with automatic refunds if athletes transfer or conditions aren’t met. SIAC fans can support players without financial risk.

Important: Fan support through RallyFuel is voluntary and conditional. Fuel purchases are not charitable donations. RallyFuel is not a guarantor that any athlete will accept an NIL Agreement. Purchasing Fan Fuel does not guarantee athletic performance, playing time, or any specific outcome.

SIAC Battleground Competition

RallyFuel’s Battleground tracks SIAC rankings:

How It Works:

• Every Fan Fuel contribution adds to your school’s total.
• Real-time updates as transactions occur
• SIAC schools ranked against each other and nationally
• Championship counts display alongside NIL totals.

Conference Competition:

• See how your school compares to SIAC rivals.
• Morehouse vs. Clark Atlanta AUC rivalries extend to Battleground.
• Tuskegee vs. Miles continues year-round.
• Track your personal contribution to the school totals.

Battleground measures fan engagement for current roster athletes—showing which SIAC fan bases are most active in supporting their programs.

The Transfer Portal and NIL

The transfer portal has become the primary mechanism for roster construction in the SIAC:

For Athletes: Players entering the portal evaluate multiple factors, including NIL opportunity. Athletes make independent decisions—NIL is one consideration among academics, playing time, coaching, and other factors. The SIAC serves both as a launchpad for talent moving to Power Four (like Allen’s Amarie Fleming to Texas Tech) and a landing zone for D1 players seeking playing time.

For Fans: RallyFuel’s conditional model allows fans to support athletes in the transfer portal. If an athlete selects a different school during the conditional period, fans receive automatic refunds.

The D1 “Bounce Back” Trend: House settlement roster limits (105 for football) are displacing hundreds of talented D1 players. SIAC schools like Benedict and Allen are positioning as “landing spots” for this surplus talent, offering immediate playing time and development pathways.

Conditional Protection:

• Automatic refunds if the athlete selects a different school
• Automatic refunds if the conditional period expires
• No financial risk to fans

Important: Fan support does not guarantee any athlete will transfer to a specific program. RallyFuel is not a guarantor that any athlete will accept an NIL Agreement or join a specific school. Athletes make independent decisions based on many factors.

Ready to Support SIAC Athletes?

Explore verified SIAC athletes on RallyFuel, see how your school ranks on Battleground, and start fueling today.

Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.

RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information on athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure of modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in greater depth.

Visit RallyFuel

Learn More About the NIL Landscape

Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.

RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.

Visit RallyFuel

Frequently Asked Questions

How can SIAC fans support athletes through NIL?

SIAC fans can fuel athletes directly through RallyFuel by creating an account, selecting their school affiliation, and browsing verified athletes. The conditional model provides automatic refunds if athletes transfer or if conditions aren’t met. Additionally, fans can subscribe to NIL Clubs ($5-$10/month) with proceeds split equally among roster members.

Which SIAC schools are on RallyFuel?

Athletes from SIAC schools are available for fan support on RallyFuel, including Morehouse, Tuskegee, Clark Atlanta, Miles College, Albany State, Fort Valley State, Savannah State, Benedict, Central State, Kentucky State, Allen, Edward Waters, Lane, LeMoyne-Owen, Spring Hill, and Talladega (provisional member).

Why is NIL important for Division II HBCU athletes?

NIL creates opportunity for Division II HBCU athletes at programs that cannot compete on raw dollars with Power Four institutions. The SIAC’s subscription-based NIL Club model allows middle-class alumni to contribute $5-$10/month, providing meaningful supplemental income when aggregated across engaged fanbases. The conference is also insulated from House settlement revenue-sharing requirements.

How does the transfer portal affect the SIAC?

The SIAC serves as both a launchpad and a landing zone. Top performers like Allen’s Amarie Fleming transfer up to Power Four programs (Texas Tech), while D1 talent displaced by roster limits transfers down in search of playing time. Schools like Benedict and Allen are aggressively recruiting D1 transfers.

What is the Conference Carolinas Alliance?

The SIAC and Conference Carolinas have partnered for 2025-2026 football scheduling. In Week 11, non-championship teams from both conferences play crossover games to boost the strength of schedule for NCAA playoff at-large bids. SIAC hosts in 2025; Conference Carolinas hosts in 2026.

Is the SIAC expanding?

Yes. Talladega College is transitioning from NAIA to NCAA Division II with provisional membership. Full membership is expected in 2026-2027, bringing the conference to 16 members. This expansion demonstrates D2 conference stability while D1 contracts and consolidates.