Joe

[Boiler Burner @BoilerBurner1]

PLEASE READ

What if I told you that Purdue’s fanbase could fix (at the very worst, greatly enhance) the football program’s NIL-issue overnight if the athletic department would allow for it?

Who knows what new AD, Tommy McClelland has planned already but Purdue’s athletic department in the NIL-era has failed to take advantage of its elite fanbase.

Per AlmaBase, which was updated in May, Purdue has over 600,000 living alumni. There are only FOUR schools in the world with a bigger living alumni network than Purdue University (IMAGE 1).

When McClelland took over as AD he mentioned Purdue University being known for its INNOVATION. He talked about bringing innovation to the athletic department to introduce new ways to raise money for athletics.

I’m not sure if this is innovative or not since a 5th-grader could think of it but I’ve been harping on an NIL “talent-fee” being added to our football tickets for years now. The best part about it is you don’t need to contact all 600,000+ alumni. Hell, you don’t even need to pick up the phone. Your target-market is on campus 7-8x each fall, already paying to watch Purdue play football.

If you’re a PURDUE fan, you don’t need to hear how loyal we are. No fanbase is more loyal. But, fuck it, I’m gonna bring it up anyway: In the (3) full seasons following Brohm leaving, after he led Purdue to the Big Ten Championship Game in 2022, the Boilermakers have a record of 7-29. Yet, in that timespan, Purdue is top-10 in the conference in average attendance:

2023 (R*an W*lters’ first year): 58,248 average over 7 home games

2024: 59,887 average over 6 home games (highest since 2005)

2025 (Barry Odom’s first year): 56,581 average over 7 home games

(IMAGE 2).

How does Purdue’s average attendance in that span fare across Power-2 (B10+SEC)? 24th out of 34 teams (IMAGE 3).

Purdue’s fanbase is elite, as loyal as it gets (not fair weather, bandwagoners like some), and deserves a winner.

Now, here’s where the fun comes in (bear with me, I’m not a math guy).

A $10 “talent-fee” on every ticket sold from 2023-2025 would have generated $582,400/game for 20 games (almost $12 million).

Six home games is abnormal so let’s say there are 7 games every year in Ross-Ade Stadium. That’s over $4 million generated for Purdue football’s NIL by us fans EVERY SEASON.

They say a good portal QB costs over $4 million. Even if it’s not literal, how cool would it be if our fanbase could point to the “talent-fee” and say “I helped buy our QB”?

Purdue is the Cradle of Quarterbacks. Name it the “Cradle of QBs” fee and market it as us fans playing a role in helping pay for the position we’re best known for. I’m sure Tommy McClelland already has great ideas on how to raise money but let us fans help. You don’t need to take us to fancy dinners in order to raise this money

Worried about $10 turning fans off? A) don’t be and B) even $5 would make a difference.

This is a simple idea and it immediately improves the value of the product the consumer is already paying to watch.

Let us help, @TMcClelland.

[Heavens! @HeavensFX]

Alyssa Thomas with the fist to Caitlin Clark's throat. Play on, of course.

[Joe @jpelfree]

@CoreyLaJoie @PrimeVideo Love the post race interviews! Started watching again because of you guys on Prime!

[Joe @jpelfree]

@WakeBasketball Great player and even better kid, has great parents as well! Wish the kid many amazing athletic plays!

[Joe @jpelfree]

@pnonos @BoilerBurner1 Kennard Davis jr

[Eric Daugherty @EricLDaugh]

🚨 911, I NEED TO REPORT A M*RDER.

THE PRESIDENT JUST ENDED THE DEMOCRATS.

TRUMP: I look at the Democrats in front of me - I realize, there's nothing I can say to make them happy, stand, or smile or applaud. I could find a cure to the most devastating disease...or announce the answers to the greatest economy in history, or the stoppage of crime to the lowest levels ever. And these people - sitting RIGHT HERE - will not clap, stand or cheer for these achievements. They won't, no matter what. 5 times I've been up here.

[Trent @BarstoolTrent]

I had to talk to Coach Gruden about one guy:

Mike Alstott

[Joe @jpelfree]

@NRPizzaPub ✋

[Joe @jpelfree]

@NRPizzaPub 🍕

[Joe @jpelfree]

@NRPizzaPub @indyindians @CLBClippers My wife, Kym!

[Joe @jpelfree]

@NRPizzaPub @indyindians @IowaCubs

[Joe @jpelfree]

@NRPizzaPub @indyindians @MudHens 🤚🏻

[The Field of 68 @TheFieldOf68]

"I'm really trying not to cry... but the tears are coming down. It's just been so long. I just... I cannot believe this has finally happened"

@RobbieHummel's call following Purdue's win over Tennessee to send @BoilerBall to the Final Four 🥺

(via @westwood1sports)

[Joe @jpelfree]

@DravynGibbs You do what you do! Haters are everywhere!

[FOX College Hoops @CBBonFOX]

ICE IN HIS VEINS!!! 🥶

@3bradensmith x @BoilerBall

[Joe @jpelfree]

@MicahhParsons11 None brother! I always give guys like you space to do your thing!

[Hammer and Rails @HammerAndRails]

Send that Lance Jones tape to the @bigten and absolutely fire that official.

[Joe @jpelfree]

@CEMfulk @PurdueCEM @ExEdPurdue Nice setup!

[Joe @jpelfree]

@LanceBuckets Prayers!!

[Joe @jpelfree]

@FCGrizBaseball @JonathonLaGuire @uspbl @FCGrizAthletics @FranklinCollege Atta boy! Keep it up!