Big Red Preview a “good faith gesture” for Nebraska fans and NIL collective
Nebraska football opened the gates of Memorial Stadium on Saturday for its first annual Big Red Preview. A $25 ticket got fans in the door, with all proceeds benefitting 1890 Nebraska, the athletic programs’ official NIL collective.
Around 3,500 onlookers were in attendance, with many lining up outside before the event started.
“I think it’s great for our fans to see,” Matt Rhule said. “Everyone sees the final product, I want them to see the moving parts and all the things that happen.”
Five years ago, it was taboo to simply whisper about paying college football athletes. How the times have changed. NIL flipped the sport on its head.
“In college now, this is the new normal,” Rhule said.
In July, 1890 Nebraska officially partnered with the athletic department, streamlining the process for fans to contribute to the NIL collective. Saturday’s event is Rhule and company’s way of giving back.
“On our end, it’s a good-faith gesture, right?” Rhule said. “1890 has done so much. They’ve stepped up so much. The fans and the donors, the people who give to 1890 have stepped up so much.”
Steadfast support from Husker faithful — through a near decade without a winning season — gave Rhule no other choice but to give fans a taste of what they’ll see later this month.
“I don’t want anybody watching my practices,” Rhule joked. “But I can’t sit there and ask and not give back. To me, I hope everyone has a good time tonight.”
“Then, I hope the 3,500 people that come tonight turns into 10,000 next year, turns into 20,000.”
On Friday, Daniel Kaelin said Nebraska players were excited for the event, though they won’t let it change their approach to practice. After all, they’re just four days into fall camp.
“It’s a really cool day to go out,” Kaelin said. “It’s a normal practice but kind of like a spring game type of thing. Having the fans come out and support us, we always love that.
“You can’t let it affect too much, but we would definitely like to put a good product on the field.”
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