SYRACUSE — From now through Aug. 1, some Syracuse–area independent restaurant owners are giving patrons the chance to “round up” their bill to benefit SU student-athletes. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced the partnership with Syracuse University (SU) Athletics on May 30. Surrounded by local restaurant owners, McMahon made the announcement outside the John A. […]
SYRACUSE — From now through Aug. 1, some Syracuse–area independent restaurant owners are giving patrons the chance to “round up” their bill to benefit SU student-athletes. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon announced the partnership with Syracuse University (SU) Athletics on May 30.
Surrounded by local restaurant owners, McMahon made the announcement outside the John A. Lally Athletics Complex on Syracuse’s South campus. SU men’s basketball coach Adrian Autry and SU football coach Fran Brown both attended the announcement. Patrons at participating restaurants will have the opportunity to “round up” when paying the bill, McMahon said. “And whether you’re rounding up to the dollar or rounding up with a couple of dollars, that would be the patron’s choice,” he noted. The extra dollars and cents would benefit Orange United, and the student-athletes involved in the NIL program. Syracuse University (SU) Athletics back in September unveiled Orange United, which the school describes as the “preferred” NIL collective for Syracuse student-athletes to leverage their name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities to earn money. Orange United is “powered” by Atlanta, Georgia–based Student Athlete NIL, or SANIL, SU said in its announcement. NIL is playing a major role in college sports recruiting these days with most universities deploying collectives to help compete as the average NIL deal needed to attract high-level recruits to commit to a university continues to rise in value. The initiative also seeks to benefit area restaurant businesses and the local economy and community. “Syracuse Athletics drives the hospitality industry,” McMahon said. “Coach Autry knows this and Coach Brown is learning this, when we are doing well in Syracuse athletics, the mental health of this community is much better.” Some of the participating restaurants in the pilot program include Apizza Regionale; Emerald Cocktail Kitchen; Kitty Hoynes; Scotch ‘N Sirloin; Noble Cellar; King David’s Restaurant; Middle Ages Brewing Company; San Miguel Mexican Bar & Grill; Trappers II Pizza & Pub; The Taphouse on Walton; Buried Acorn; Pavone’s Pizza; and Willow Rock Brewing Company. The program begins June 1 and continues through Aug. 1, Mark Hayes, general manager of Orange United, said in his remarks at the Thursday morning announcement. “We want to drive awareness. We want to drive foot traffic to these local establishments … and also supporting the mission to help our student-athletes,” Hayes added. He also noted that selected SU student-athletes will provide their own engagement with the restaurants involved, including social-media posts and meet-and-greet events. In answering questions from local reporters, McMahon also acknowledged that Onondaga County operates on sales taxes and could generate increased revenue as a result of the initiative. “Every service we provide this community is driven by sales tax,” McMahon said. “[It’s a] $1.5 billion operation … our property taxes only make up about $150 million of the $1.5 billion. Everything else is from consumer spending. We need a competitive entertainment infrastructure.”