‘Tailgate with Timmy’ fundraiser returns to support UH football NIL

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – As the University of Hawaii football season approaches, building the program’s Name, Image, and Likeness initiatives is a constant priority.

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“Even if it’s a little bit. If everybody that loved the sport that was able to help, helped, we’d be in a whole different ballgame,” said Rick Nakashima, owner of Ruby Tuesday Hawaii.

After a taxpayer-funded NIL bill fell short in this year’s legislative session, state business leaders answered the call.

Last month, Bank of Hawaii, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson and prominent donors Jack Tsui and Walter Dods announced they will collectively be donating $1 million a year to the school’s NIL fund.

“I’d be crazy to say that we’re gonna be a Texas, Alabama, Oregon, whatever the very top tier, but I think we can be in the next tier down and yet without the NIL money, it’s hard to do,” said Nakashima.

Nakashima, a longtime supporter of UH Athletics, started “Tailgate with Timmy” last year — a night where fans can meet the football coaches and players while providing a boost to the team.

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“We’ve really lost ground with the mainland with the NIL,” said Nakashima. “The thing though that I always tell people when I get the ‘We should just drop this sport or football,’ I tell them no look what Tomey did, Wagner, June Jones, Rolo.”

To highlight the impact of this type of event, Nakashima points to the story of Jackson Harris. Last year, in his lone season in Manoa, the star wideout racked up over 900 receiving yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns before entering the transfer portal with his sights set on a Power Five program.

“Unfortunately, because of the lack of NIL funds, he’ll be at LSU (Louisiana State University) next year, which I’m happy for him. He’s a good kid,” said Nakashima.

“Not trying to be negative towards Jackson, but if we had more money, we would have paid him and we’d have this future NFL player for another year,” Nakashima added.

The second “Tailgate with Timmy” is set for Tuesday, July 21, at Ruby Tuesday in Moanalua. Learn more and purchase tickets here.

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