University of New Mexico House Settlement Information
The Lobo Alliance is the new initiative to support the cross-over of philanthropic support to the Lobo Club and NIL (name, image, likeness). The goal of the Lobo Alliance is to promote full alighment between 505 Sports Venture Foundation, the Lobo Club, and Lobo Athletics. This combined group’s purpose is to enhance and amplify the student-athlete experience. The Lobo Alliance’s goal is to help provide a high-level education and continued student-athlete development while also operating an elite NIL program that will accelerate program success and allow Lobo Athletics to remain competitive in the Mountain West and on the National level.
With the House vs. NCAA Settlement approved, many Lobo fans have questions, and we have answers. Click the logo to the left to read our House vs. NCAA Settlement Frequently Answered Questions.
Dear Lobo Nation,
As I reflect on my first months in Albuquerque, I remain incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and lead Lobo Athletics. Every day, I’m reminded of what makes this place so special: the pride, the passion, and the unwavering support that define Lobo Nation. It’s more than a fan base—it’s a family.
A Year in Review
We have so much to celebrate together from this recent academic year — a testament to the hard work of our student-athletes, coaches, and the unwavering support of our community. UNM captured the most Mountain West team championships in 2024–25 with six titles, and we finished No. 1 among Mountain West schools in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings for both the Fall and Winter seasons — a ranking that reflects overall excellence across all sports, from national finishes to postseason performance. The six titles tied for the fourth-most in UNM history for a single sports year. And this week, all eyes will be on Eugene, Oregon, as 11 Lobo student-athletes compete at the NCAA Track and Field National Championships — the second-most qualifiers among all non–Power Four schools, trailing only Harvard.
In the classroom in 2025-26, a school-record tying 275 student-athletes earned Mountain West All-Academic honors, and a school-record 231 were honored as Mountain West Scholar-Athletes. Those accolades come on the heels of a school-record tying student-athlete Fall GPA of 3.55, with every sport having a team GPA of 3.00 or better for the first time in school history.
As we continue to elevate our program and create an unmatched experience for our student-athletes, I want to thank you for your continued belief in what Lobo Athletics stands for. The progress we’ve made — and the ambitions we’re chasing — are only possible because of your support.
House Settlement Details
With the formal approval of the House v. NCAA settlement this past Friday, we are entering a transformative era in college athletics. The changes brought about by this agreement are significant and multifaceted, including:
- Financial obligations to a national settlement fund totaling approximately $2.8 billion in backpay to former Division I student-athletes — primarily those in Power Five football and men’s and women’s basketball who competed prior to the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era. This fund will be supported by NCAA reserves and reductions to annual NCAA revenue distributions, with contributions from all Division I institutions who have opted into the settlement over the next ten years. For UNM, this will result in an annual six-figure reduction in our NCAA revenue distribution throughout the next decade.
- The establishment of a future revenue-sharing model. For the first time, schools will have the opportunity to directly compensate student-athletes through licensing agreements for the use of their NIL rights. While participation is optional and there is no mandated minimum, institutions may choose to share up to an estimated $20.5 million annually — a figure equivalent to 22.5% of the average athletic department revenue generated by Power Five programs from media rights, ticket sales, licensing, and sponsorships. Historically, student-athlete support came through scholarships, stipends, and third-party NIL opportunities. This new model adds a direct institutional component to that ecosystem.
The settlement also includes updated roster limits and the potential for expanded scholarship opportunities, while helping lay the foundation for a more stable and equitable future for college athletics.
Since my arrival in December, my team and I have been working closely with campus leadership to prepare for the implementation of a structured revenue-sharing model, made possible by UNM’s participation in the House settlement. Our focus is on a plan that is sustainable, competitive, and aligned with our peers in the Mountain West and the programs we recruit against — one that positions Lobo Athletics for long-term success.
We recognize that talent acquisition and retention are essential to our future. To compete at the highest level, we must implement a model that not only attracts top student-athletes — but keeps them here.
Moving Forward
UNM made the strategic decision to adopt this model so we can remain competitive in an ever-evolving environment. It’s the right step to preserve the momentum we’ve built and to ensure continued success across all our programs.
Basketball will be a cornerstone of our revenue-sharing strategy. We know how much pride this community and our entire state take in Lobo basketball — it’s a defining part of who we are. At the same time, we are fully committed to elevating our Football program — another critical driver of both revenue and department-wide impact. When Basketball and Football thrive, every Lobo program benefits.
Where You Can Help Support the Lobos
To support this vision, beginning July 1, 2025, the Lobo Club, through our Lobo Alliance initiative, will take full responsibility for all fundraising that supports compensating student-athletes for the use of their name, image, and likeness. This effort will stand alongside our existing philanthropic priorities — the Lobo Scholarship Fund, sport-specific enhancement funds, and student-athlete development programs — as part of our comprehensive strategy for athletic excellence.
We’re grateful to Kurt Roth and the 505 Sports Venture Foundation, whose early leadership in the NIL space helped Lobo student-athletes succeed and set the stage for what’s next. Their impact has been significant, and as we transition, 505SVF will remain a valued partner — with a continued focus on storytelling, fan engagement, and efforts that elevate the Lobo brand. Kurt will remain involved in our revenue-sharing efforts and continue to play a valuable role as we move into this next phase of student-athlete support.
If you’ve previously supported our student-athletes through 505SVF, we encourage you to continue that support through the Lobo Alliance. These gifts will now be tax-deductible, like all donations to the Lobo Club, and will help ensure our student-athletes have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive — strengthening the competitive foundation of Lobo Athletics.
We invite you to review our Frequently Asked Questions page, which addresses many of the thoughtful questions we’ve received regarding the House Settlement and what it means for the future of Lobo Athletics.
The most immediate ways to make an impact are by:
- Purchasing your season tickets for Lobo Football
- Preparing to purchase your Men’s and Women’s Basketball season tickets when they go on sale in the coming weeks
- Making a gift through the Lobo Alliance to support our efforts to compensate student-athletes for the use of their name, image, and likeness — and to keep us competitive among our peers and nationally relevant.
Lobo Nation, your belief in our mission — and your willingness to invest in our future — are what set us apart. With your continued support, whether through philanthropy, engagement, or simply showing up on game day, we’ll keep climbing together.
Go Lobos!
Fernando Lovo
Vice President / Director of Athletics