Memphis men’s basketball joins forces with an iconic hotel for NIL deal

On Monday, Memphis announced that the 901 Fund had facilitated a partnership agreement between Memphis men’s basketball and The Peabody Hotel. The student-athletes will use their NIL rights to “help promote charities in the City they call home.”

The 901 Fund is a non-profit, Memphis-focused collective. The fund is run by a group of Memphis fans known as Tigers On a Mission. This deal with The Peabody is a great step for the collective in its bid to establish a reliable NIL system in Memphis.

Guests at The Peabody will have the option to book the 901 Fund NIL Package. Upon booking said package, $75 will be donated to the 901 Fund and then directed toward student-athletes. The funds will be used “to further connect student-athletes with charitable organizations in the City of Memphis.” The package starts out at $275.

The Peabody Hotel is famous for homing several ducks, a tradition that dates back to the 1940s. Guests at the hotel can watch the ducks march from the rooftop to the lobby fountain each morning, and then back again each afternoon. Memphis forward Malcolm Dandridge recently served as Honorary Duckmaster at the hotel to celebrate this partnership.

The Honorary Duckmaster is responsible for leading the duck march each day. Many notable figures, including Oprah Winfrey, Patrick Swayze, and Kevin Bacon, have served in the role. “As a Memphian, being the Honorary Peabody Duckmaster was a truly amazing experience,” Dandridge said. “I’m thankful to The Peabody and the 901 Fund for their support, and my teammates and I are excited to help promote local charities and the work they do in our City.”

In addition to the 901 Fund NIL Package, the hotel will donate $1 every time an “Arctic Tiger” cocktail or lemon and blueberry Bavarian tart is purchased at the hotel. “The Peabody is a proud supporter of Memphis Tiger Men’s Basketball, and we’re thrilled to be able to support Memphis’ student-athletes and local charities through the 901 Fund,” said Douglas V. Browne, President of Peabody Hotels & Resorts.