Student-athletes can profit off their Name, Image and Likeness for the first time in the history of college athletics. How did it evolved as the law of college athletics? What is the role of Cavalier Futures and it’s relationship to UVA Athletics? How does NIL benefit athletes….and UVA? This was discussed by Lo Davis at the January 2023 meeting. The program was moderated by SSV President Sue Friedman.

Lo Davis is executive director of Cav Futures, the NIL collective at UVA. Prior to that he served 12 years in the role of associate director for the Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF).  During his time at VAF, Mr. Davis raised millions of dollars in support of Virginia Athletics.  While at VAF, Mr. Davis supported several individual programs, including baseball, football, lacrosse, track and field and women’s basketball.  He also served on several committees within the Advancement Community at UVA, including creating and acting as co-chair for the now annual Advancement Community Excellence Awards.

Before his return to Charlottesville, Mr. Davis worked for nine years as vice president of Catch 84 Inc., the marketing arm for former UVA football standout and Detroit Lions All-Pro Wide Receiver, Herman Moore, and other professional athletes in Detroit. In this capacity, he served as business manager, handled appearances, marketing events and contract negotiations.

Mr. Davis graduated from UVA in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Rhetoric and Communications. While a student at the University, he was a member of the baseball team for two years and participated in JV basketball. His early professional career focused primarily in sales, marketing and client services. He was owner and operator of Five Star Industrial and Business Supply in Charlottesville from 2003 to 2009.

Mr. Davis is blessed to have been married for 17 years to his beautiful wife Sandra and has two children, Eric and Nia.  A sports enthusiast, Mr. Davis spends his time on the sports fields with his children and is an avid golfer.

Program Summary

The NIL collective at UVA was formed to provide guidance, support and financial assistance to UVA student athletes. It follows the rules, regulations and policies adopted by the NCAA, state and federal laws. It is not a program that is part of UVA, UVA athletics or VAF even as it serves UVA athletes. Universities cannot pay their athletes to play. As Mr. Davis stated, “NIL puts on the table what has been going on for years at universities under the table.” The collective focuses on providing the students with a comprehensive platform to promote education, long term professional development and career opportunities. The financial earnings of most athletes is in the range of $10 to 40,000. Not the millions that have been written about. NIL only began in July 2021 and is still a work in progress. You can learn more by clicking here.