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Lobo coach makes pitch to fans: Chip in to help attract, retain players

Related Topics: Rebecca Lobo, T. Boone Pickens

Copyright © 2023 Albuquerque Journal

T. Boone Pickens isn’t walking through that door.

And the Lobos know that.

So, in order to keep up in the current landscape of college athletics in the absence of a billionaire donor like Oklahoma State had in the late Pickens — who reportedly donated roughly $652 million to that university with a significant amount earmarked for athletics —UNM football coach Danny Gonzales is hoping the “it takes a village” approach may catch on in this neck of the woods.

For nearly two years now, the NCAA has allowed college athletes to be paid thanks to legislation passed by dozens of states (including New Mexico), for use of their name, image and likeness (NIL).