Weeks after Bryce Underwood snub, $35M worth Brian Kelly makes major NIL announcement for LSU
LSU coach Brian Kelly and his wife Paqui have announced a match program to support the school’s NIL donations. Kelly, who is worth $35 million as per CelebrityNetWorth, has pooled $1 million in donations with his wife as a gift to LSU’s foundation, the Tiger Athletic Foundation’s AD’s Excellence Fund.
"LSU has a long and proud tradition of being one of the elite programs in college football,” Kelly said in a statement. “In order to remain among the nation’s elite in this new world of college athletics, we have to be competitive in all areas of our program. I am committed to doing all that we can to win championships at LSU.
“While we are not permitted to financially support our NIL efforts directly, Paqui and I can certainly match this tremendous fanbase’s generosity by investing in the future of LSU Athletics through the Tiger Athletic Foundation.”
Kelly's NIL donation announcement comes a few weeks after Bryce Underwood flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan.
Underwood, widely regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the class of 2025, had been committed to LSU since the start of January 2024. However, on Nov. 22, the Belleville high school quarterback announced he was joining the Wolverines.
Underwood's decision to de-commit from LSU raised eyebrows since Belleville had hired former Michigan analyst Connor Stalions for its playoff run this year. Stalions was at the center of the Wolverines' sign-stealing scandal last season before he resigned on Nov. 3, 2023.
Many believe Stalions played a role in turning Underwood to Michigan.
LSU will play in Texas Bowl this year
LSU (8-4, 5-3 SEC) will play against Baylor in the Texas Bowl this season. The New Year's Eve bowl game will take place at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Kelly, who has been in charge of LSU since 2022, has compiled a 28–11 record with the program. He has also won both his bowl games in each season and will be aiming to win his third bowl game in a row in December.