We need an actual, productive NIL forum and threads associated to it. I don't mean the ongoing meandering here or the winding dialogue of nothingness on the football board thread. I mean something with some structure and rules around the topic's discussion. Links to what other schools are doing, probably not a fit. Posts planning out an organized (unaffiliated) way of crowdsourcing money to guys, whether through their Cameo or buying of merchandise, probably a fit. Etc. There could be multiple threads associated to the ongoing discussion.
There are at least 4 problems that need to be solved for anyone to truly weaponize this stuff, and problably more:
1) information - what can people and businesses do, and what can't they? I saw a UT AD email linking to a FAQs page and it was helpful. as a for instance, given the guidance from the school, the state, and the NCAA, there is nothing for Surly to fear in terms of being involved with various campaigns.
2) leadership - this has to be important enough for someone to take it on and get things organized and structurally sound, out of passion.
3) networking - you need networks of businesses who will get it and be involved. the vast majority have no idea about any of this right now.
4) capital raising - there are different ways to get some traction, but if you guys wanted to go from powerless to making a difference, money talks. you could organize a mini-SPAC aimed at directing funds with purpose eventually towards UT athletes, but it's a blank check endeavor, so you'd need someone trustworthy fronting it and interested enough participants that they'd hand over $100s or $1000s and wait to see what happens. note: i'm not claiming "SPAC" is technically correct as a term here, but conceptually it would work like that. just a simple ongoing crowdfunding effort might help, but i'm dubious unless the plan is to extend the raise into social media and not just on the boards.
I'm sure there are other hurdles, but those all seem real. I know Texas is organized around how to exploit NIL with the help of some of the best consultants and academics that stupid money will buy. Eventually, athletes will reap heavily from all of that being deployed. If you can't wait, though, then the wild west is there for the taking.
I doubt this board could raise $10,000 to start anything, so the hurdles seem insurmountable. 200 people throwing $50 each into a pot gets you there. Short of a few of us throwing in $1000, I doubt it would happen. So, honestly, hold your breath and bide your time and some of these idiotic stories like the Miami gym guy will blow past. $10000 barely pays 85 guys $117 one time. Hey, it would be our small part, I guess.