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SMU partners with financial technology company, Scout, for revenue-share distribution, financial literacy

On3 imageby: Billy Embody07/03/25BillyEmbody
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Ford Stadium. (Matt Visinsky / On3)

SMU has partnered with Scout, an innovative financial technology company built for athletes and university administrators, to lay the groundwork for a new era of student-athlete support.

Through this collaboration, SMU will deploy Scout’s complete suite of solutions, including revenue-share distribution, cap management, personalized financial literacy training, and a secure player wallet app for savings, tax withholding, and investment planning.

This release stated the move is about more than managing today’s challenges — it’s about building a system that adapts to what’s next.

“At SMU, we’re not building for the moment — we’re building for the future,” said Damon Evans, SMU Director of Athletics. “This partnership with Scout puts the infrastructure in place to support our student-athletes in a dynamic, fast-changing NIL environment, not just now, but for years to come.”

SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee says this platform helps his players with tools to navigate the financial landscape.

“We ask our players to think long-term: to grow, to evolve, to prepare. This partnership is a perfect example of that mindset,” Lashlee said. “The resources Scout provides — from financial coaching to secure payment tools — help our athletes thrive today and lead tomorrow.”

Former SMU linebacker Shaine Hailey had a direct hand in the move that kicked off Tuesday with revenue sharing coming to college athletics.

“Working with Scout, and its team of experts, allows me to have a meaningful impact on Athletes across the country,” Hailey said in a statement. “Bringing the Scout platform to SMU today, gives me confidence that the university I love is leading the way, and putting its athletes in the best possible position.”

Michael Haddix, CEO and Founder of Scout, is excited to partner with SMU as revenue sharing hits college athletics.

“SMU is a university that embraces innovation and moves with purpose,” Haddix said. “They aren’t chasing trends — they’re setting the pace. We’re proud to work alongside them to deliver a customizable platform that empowers both athletes and administrators with forward-thinking tools and real-world strategy.”

“We look at NIL differently at Scout — for us, it means Name, Image… Lifetime.”

Hailey’s leading part of the player engagement area for Scout. With his experience at SMU, he’s been well-prepared for the landscape.

“Shaine Hailey sets a high bar not just for SMU athletes, but for all SMU graduates. We love his thoughtful approach to helping student athletes,” Haddix said. “It’s easy to understand why he was such a respected teammate and Captain at SMU.”

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