Saquon Barkley, a Super Bowl champion and NFL superstar, has donated $20 million to establish a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) fund for Penn State University athletes. This marks one of the most significant athlete support funds in the Big Ten Conference and across college sports.
The fund, officially named the “We Are Legacy NIL Fund,” intends to create long-term and meaningful NIL opportunities for present and future Penn State student-athletes. Barkley’s donation not only strengthens the university’s capacity to compete in today’s collegiate athletics landscape, but it also demonstrates his enduring loyalty to the institution that helped establish his career.
“Penn State is more than just the school I played for—it’s a family,” Barkley stated during a press conference at Beaver Stadium. “My experience here shaped who I am as a player and a guy. Now it’s my chance to give back and help the next generation of Nittany Lions reach their full potential—both on and off the field.”
Barkley, who recently made sports history by leading his NFL team to a Super Bowl victory, has always expressed his admiration for Penn State. His offering is a significant monument to that friendship. The “We Are Legacy NIL Fund” will focus on empowering student-athletes across all sports, providing them with financial support as well as mentorship, education, and community-building opportunities.
This investment comes at an important time in college athletics, when NIL chances have become a major asset for recruitment and retention. Barkley’s committment gives Penn State a strategic advantage, allowing it to better compete with top-tier teams that have already benefited from NIL frameworks.
Penn State Athletic Director Patrick Kraft described Barkley’s initiative as “transformative,” saying:
“This is more than simply a donation; it’s a game changer. Saquon has long exemplified Penn State’s core values of heart, grit, and community. His concept for this fund will secure our athletes’ long-term success.”
Head football coach James Franklin, who coached Barkley during his breakout collegiate years, said:
“I’ve said it before and will say it again: Saquon is extraordinary. This contribution is yet another evidence of his leadership and dedication to this university.”
Nittany Lion fans and alumni from all over the world have shown their gratitude and support on social media, calling Barkley’s generosity as one of the most significant gifts in school history. The impact of this donation is already being felt, with potential recruits and current players expressing excitement about what it means for their future.
With this unprecedented act, Saquon Barkley has not only given back, but opened the way for many young athletes to aspire larger, achieve more, and carry on Penn State’s rich heritage of excellence. During his speech, he concluded, “We Are… forever.”