Iowa Athletics retains former NFL GM Scott Pioli to consult on revenue sharing

IOWA CITY — Iowa Athletics retained former NFL executive Scott Pioli as the Hawkeyes prepare for direct revenue sharing with athletes as part of the House vs. NCAA settlement.

Iowa tabbed Pioli in the fall “in preparation for revenue sharing,” per a press release, and Pioli “will continue to work with our programs.” Pioli is consulting with the athletics department and is not an exclusive employee of the university.

Pioli — a five-time NFL Executive of the Year and three-time Super Bowl champion — has held general manager or front office executive roles with the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons. He joined NFL Network as an analyst in 2020.

The Hawkeyes’ cap management strategy includes designated general managers for the affected sports. Marcus Wilson, Iowa’s executive senior associate athletics director, now oversees “cap management and administration.” Iowa also has Scott Brickman, the department’s general manager for NIL and strategy through a partnership with Altius Sports Partners.

Iowa also announced plans for “Flight Funds” that allow donors to financially support the department’s revenue sharing for football, men’s and women’s basketball and men’s wrestling. The department also has a general support Flight Fund.

Donations to the Flight Funds are tax-deductible and count toward ticket priority points, but they do not count toward I-Club seating or parking requirements. The release notes donors should check with their tax adviser, though.

“We are committed to participating at the maximum level in revenue-sharing with our student-athletes,” Iowa athletics director Beth Goetz said in the press release. “Through initiatives like Flight Funds and expanded revenue opportunities, we strengthen financial stability while reinforcing our commitment to the success and well-being of our student-athletes.”

Revenue sharing will begin on July 1 following the final approval of the House vs. NCAA settlement last Friday evening. The cap for the 2025-26 academic year is expected to be about $20.5 million, to be split up among any of the sports on campus. Up to $2.5 million in spending on any new scholarships will count against the $20.5 million cap.

Brad Heinrichs, the founder and CEO of Iowa’s Swarm Collective, said in a tweet after Friday’s final approval of the settlement that the collective “plans to continue our mission to support Iowa’s student athletes, our communities, and be a conduit for student-athletes to help local and national businesses.”

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

Sign up for our curated Iowa Hawkeyes athletics newsletter at thegazette.com/hawks.