Credit/Adobe Stock
In a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal that follows the recent trend of credit unions partnering with student-athletes to not only promote their brand but assist student-athletes with their financial lives, University Credit Union in Los Angeles announced it has launched a new program with Saint Mary's College in Moraga, Calif., called "Champions."
As part of the $1.1 billion credit union's new NIL deal, it will sponsor the men's and women's basketball teams at the Bay Area Catholic college, as well as provide the teams' student athletes with financial support and educational resources. This will include membership in UCU and access to financial wellness workshops.
Recommended For You
UCU said that because the partnership supports student-athletes at Saint Mary's College and allows them to serve as brand ambassadors for the credit union, it hopes to also attract new members from the Saint Mary's College community as a result.
"We are thrilled to partner with Saint Mary's College and its talented student athletes," UCU President/CEO Dr. David Tuyo II said. "As a credit union built on campus, we understand the unique challenges faced by students, including athletes, as well as the faculty, staff, alumni and every other important member of the university community. This NIL deal is more than just a sponsorship; it's an investment in this community's financial well-being and future success."
Saint Mary's College Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Matoso added, "We are excited about our new agreement with University Credit Union regarding the name, image and likeness deal. UCU continues to be an amazing partner with Saint Mary's College, and this deal is just another example of our growing relationship. UCU is a huge part of the Gael family community, and we cannot thank them enough for this latest commitment."
Similar NIL deals were recently announced by two other credit unions: The $7.8 billion, East Lansing, Mich.-based MSUFCU and the $4.8 billion, Lake Jackson, Texas-based TDECU.
Last month, UCU announced its first-ever NIL deal with Western Baptist University's Chloe Webb.
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Natasha Chilingerian
Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.
