BYU is rolling out what it calls the biggest philanthropic commitment in the school’s athletics history, and football is at the center of it.
On Friday, Brigham Young University announced a partnership with Utah-based PV3 Enterprises that will bring a substantial investment in football facilities and additional NIL opportunities for more than 40 current BYU student-athletes. The deal also gives the playing surface at LaVell Edwards Stadium a new formal name: PV3 Field.
The partnership reaches beyond a simple financial infusion. BYU said athletes will also have access to mentoring, business partnerships and endorsement opportunities tied to PV3’s portfolio of businesses.
PV3 describes itself as “A hands-on investment firm focused on building and scaling exceptional, performance-driven businesses designed to endure.” The company says its approach is guided by Proverbs 3 in the Bible, with principles including trust, wisdom and humility, stewardship and generosity and kindness, “to create a lasting positive impact on the world.”
The company’s principals, Mark Hancock and Jason Murray, are leading the effort. Hancock, a BYU graduate who earned a bachelor’s degree in 1999 and an MBA in 2001, said the move is rooted in a long-term belief in the program.
“We believe deeply in the mission of BYU and the impact its football program has on young men, the university and Cougar fans around the world. This partnership reflects our long-term commitment to helping BYU football succeed, not just today, but for generations to come.”
Sitake also praised the direction of the partnership and the way PV3 is approaching the players.
“We are really grateful for the PV3 team and the level of commitment that they’ve shown to BYU Football,” Cougars football coach Kalani Sitake said in a statement. “Mark and Jason and their team are about providing a transformational opportunity to our players, not just transactional deals, and doing things the right way.
“We want to give our players every opportunity to succeed while they’re here and into their futures, and PV3 is really helping us accomplish that.”
Murray said the deal is designed to create value that lasts well beyond a player’s time in uniform.
“This partnership is about far more than a financial contribution. We’re bringing the full strength of the PV3 platform by connecting student-athletes with meaningful business opportunities across our portfolio and creating relationships that can continue long after their playing careers are over.”
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If DeVries cannot go, BYU will have to piece together a different defensive look and likely turn punt-return duties back over to Tiger Bachmeier, even though that job has not come easily for him. The Cougars would obviously prefer to have DeVries available, but the broader target is getting him back healthy for Notre Dame, which gives this week an extra layer of urgency without offering much room for optimism. [Read more 🡒]
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The shortage is also forcing a broader look at how the roster was built in recent years, because this is not just a one-week problem. BYU has spent enough time around the position to know how quickly things can unravel when injuries stack up, and the current test puts a spotlight on recruiting and depth decisions that have left the Cougars scrambling for answers at a spot where they cannot afford many more setbacks. [Read more 🡒]