Southern Methodist University (SMU) announced a historic $50 million gift from four families on Friday. The donation will support scholarships, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) advancement, and revenue-sharing initiatives for student-athletes.
The funds will bolster the Mustang Partners unit, launched in December in collaboration with Learfield, to position SMU for success in the new revenue-sharing era of college sports. The gift also launches the Boulevard Society, a philanthropic leadership group, and includes a goal to raise an additional $50 million in leadership commitments by year's end.
University President Jay Hartzell stated the generosity strengthens support for student-athletes and positions SMU Athletics for sustained success at the highest level. The gift arrives as SMU completes its second year in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), having forgone nine years of conference TV revenue to secure membership.
Athletics Director Damon Evans called the commitment transformative, providing critical support for student-athletes and inspiring further backing from the Mustang community. This follows a period of increased fundraising for SMU after announcing its move to the ACC.