This is the best time to be a Miami Hurricanes fan. After a decade of trials and tribulations, the Miami Hurricanes have finally caught a big break in 2025. For the first time in forever, the Hurricanes are ranked No. 2 in the AP Poll, and they’re one of just 11 teams still undefeated at 6-0. And now, Miami insiders are taking advantage of that leverage, shooting their shot on behalf of the ‘U’ to pledge UFC’s Bossman for Miami’s NIL. Guess what? UFC’s Bossman Dana White sounds all in.

On October 14th, White hopped onto the Miami-based ‘Three Knockdown Rule’ podcast with hosts Steve Kim and Mario Lopez. They talked about boxing, UFC, and eventually, the topic of the Miami Hurricanes came up. Steve Kim didn’t hesitate to bring up Miami’s NIL pledge, knowing the Miami fanbase would rip him alive if he didn’t: “On behalf of the Miami Hurricanes fanbase. We saw you out there at the Notre Dame game. Your daughter now is part of the U. I’m going out there Friday for the Louisville game. The fanbase would rip me if I didn’t ask you this. Will you be making a sizable donation to the NIL fund that is graduating next year? We’re going to need a new quarterback.”

Since Carson Beck is playing his last season of college football career, regardless of how the season ends, Mario Cristobal will eventually have to look for a top-tier portal QB in the country or even recruit Top 5 QBs in the nation. To make that happen, they need money. And yes, Miami’s got good money, but there’s no such thing as “enough money” in this day and age. So, it was worth taking the shot.

The Bossman Dana didn’t even blink and threw up the “U” sign and said, “More than likely, the answer is yes. I went to my first game, the Notre Dame game, and I met everybody and started to, you know, I think I’m getting positioned to get hit up for it. I see it coming, I see the writing on the wall, but, you know, it’s funny.” Dana White’s been spending a lot of time in Miami lately, especially after signing that fat $7.7 billion deal with Paramount.

His only daughter, Savannah White, also started attending the University earlier this year. Dana even attended Miami’s thrilling season opener against Notre Dame and even told The Pat McAfee Show back in August, “I’m becoming a Miami fan now. I’m a Hurricane.” That alone got Hurricanes fans praying. After all, having someone as influential and financially loaded as Dana White would be a game-changer for Mario Cristobal and the U.

Plus, UFC 314 (Volk vs. Diego Lopez) was held in Miami. Every year, Dana White and Hunter Campbell plan a couple of fight nights down in Miami. Dana White is simply a Miami guy, unknowingly at this point. Before this, Dana was pretty upfront about not really having a college football team he rooted for. He was more of a Boston sports guy—Celtics, Red Sox, Patriots. But now that his daughter has enrolled at “The U,” that’s changed. “I’ve never been a fan of a college team ever. So this is, like, my first college experience, and I’m really looking forward to it. And could I come in at a better time? I mean, they’re ranked No. 2. I love it.” He ended the podcast by giving props to the Miami Hurricanes for ranking second in the AP Poll.

How would Dana White’s sizeable donation pan out?

For context, Dana White’s money talks louder than most athletic departments. Heavy Sports reports his estimated net worth sits around $500 million, with an annual UFC salary near $20 million, and that’s before factoring in bonuses or side ventures. Since the UFC’s massive deal with Paramount hasn’t had its financial details disclosed yet, it’s safe to assume the man’s pulling way more than that. And if you know Dana, you know he doesn’t play small when it comes to Blackjack or gambling. Realistically, he’s probably racking up somewhere around $80 million a year.

Dana has an unhealthy habit of spoiling his people with gifts. He is a philanthropist. Dana White gifted podcaster Kyle Forgeard from Nelk Boys $250k for his 28th birthday. He also gave a fast-food worker $15,000 for a heroic act, and Aidan 500k band. One big check from Dana could flip the NIL scene on its head, especially for a program that’s already among the most well-funded in the country.

According to The Wall Street Journal’s Chris Baker, the Hurricanes’ program was valued at a big $604 million as of July 2025. On3’s insiders even reported that Miami’s NIL collective is running on a $15 million football budget alone. So, if Dana White even tossed in what he considers “pocket change,” it could lock Miami’s NIL dominance for years and give Mario Cristobal another reason to smile through recruiting season, and also the portal, and hopefully find another Ruben Bain Jr.