LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell Athletics’ popular mascot, Bucky the Bison, signed a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with Service 1st Federal Credit Union on Tuesday.
Bucky’s two-year NIL agreement will officially launch this Saturday, Sept. 3, when Bison football hosts Towson at 6 p.m. Bucky will be outside Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium before the game taking photos with kids and passing out souvenirs from Service 1st Federal Credit Union.
Notably, Bucky’s deal with Bucknell Athletics’ corporate partner Service 1st Federal Credit Union is believed to be the first of its kind in college sports. It was secured by LEARFIELD’s Bucknell Sports Properties, the university’s exclusive athletics multimedia rightsholder, resulting in a new department-wide initiative to make Bucky available for select paid appearances in the community. Bucknell students selected for the highly desirable mascot position will wear a jersey patch co-branded with Service 1st Federal Credit Union when attending certain events as Bucky the Bison.
Bucky’s groundbreaking NIL deal, a first among schools represented by LEARFIELD, comes on the heels of a new era in college athletics where student-athletes are being compensated for the use of their NIL. Numerous Bison student-athletes have taken advantage of the new legislation over the last year, and Bucknell Athletics has a robust array of support offerings in place through the Student-Athlete Enrichment program to help navigate NIL possibilities.
With an increase in requests for appearances from Bucky at birthday parties and other local events, this new deal will make Bucknell’s beloved mascot an even bigger presence in the community by allowing students to be compensated for their hard work behind the scenes.
Thanks to Service 1st Federal Credit Union’s increased partnership, ingenuity, and desire to support Bucknell, students will be invited to try out for a paid position to be the best mascot in the Patriot League. Tryout information will be announced on Bucknell Athletics’ social media platforms in mid-September.
For more information on NIL at Bucknell, visit BucknellBison.com.
Bucky was unavailable for comment.