The March Madness is almost here and all of them have put the pedal on the gas, and in the meantime, Rick Pitino and his St John’s Red Storm have more to cherish. They are the Big East tournament champions; cherry on top they have 9 game-win streak! “Great win for the city. Great win for our university. You hear it all along, ‘This is New York’s team’ and it truly is. As a New Yorker myself, I’m very, very proud that St. John’s has gotten to this level.” This is what one of the greatest coaches in college basketball said after delivering the program’s first conference tournament since 2000. With NIL playing a significant role in building powerhouse programs since 2021, how much has it helped in shaping St. John’s current roster?

St. John’s made some major moves in the transfer portal by landing players like Kadary Richmond and Aaron Scott. But what’s a bit embarrassing for the Red Storm? Their entire NIL budget sits at $4 million, and while three players on the roster are earning six-figure salaries, none of them are their best two players –Zuby Ejiofor and RJ Luis.

Speaking in the post-game conference, Rick Pitino talked about NIL shaping their team by saying, “First of all, I think there’s a lot of misrepresentation about NIL. NIL didn’t get us this team because Zuby and RJ are very low-paid players. That’s nonsense about NIL.” Pitino continues, “Somebody asked me about Zuby and RJ. You don’t know what you are getting. So here are two stars, very underpaid. I’m sure they’ll be at [general manager] Matt [Abdelmassih’s] window as soon as the season ends, but they’re not going anywhere.”

Zuby Ejiofor and RJ Luis have been the standout players for St. John’s this season, playing a key role in their Big East tournament win as well. Together, they scored 49 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lift the Red Storm past Creighton, who were riding high after beating defending champs UConn.With Pitino insisting that the dynamic duo are underpaid players in the roster, it wouldn’t be surprising to see their NIL valuation soar after the season. The program will likely work to ensure they get what they deserve, or risk losing them in the transfer portal.

While St. John’s $4 million NIL budget has ignited this resurgence, it’s dwarfed by the top tier of college basketball. Powerhouses like Duke, Kentucky, and emerging NIL giants like Arkansas boast budgets exceeding $6-8 million annually in 2025, often splashing cash on high-profile transfers and recruits. This gap frames the embarrassment: despite the money, St. John’s has leaned on undervalued stars like Ejiofor and Luis rather than outbidding rivals for elite talent, exposing a strategic vulnerability in the cutthroat NIL era.

To make sure the program doesn’t run out of money, a generous St. John’s alum has stepped up as their biggest donor. This financial backing is crucial in keeping the program competitive and helping players like Ejiofor and Luis get the NIL deals they deserve. Let’s dive into the details

Rick Pitino gets help from a billionaire

Mark Repole, a billionaire businessman, has played a key role in St. John’s resurgence over the past two years. It all started with him being heavily involved in bringing Rick Pitino to the program. Since then, he’s become the biggest donor, helping to shape the current roster and elevate the team’s performance.

Repole’s millions have St. John’s eyeing a No. 2 or 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, set to tip off against a yet-to-be-named opponent on March 20, 2025, in Providence. But his vision of a national title—and his pledge of ‘whatever it takes’—collides with a $4 million budget that’s stretched thin. Relying heavily on one donor raises sustainability concerns: what if Repole’s focus shifts? Plus, his courtside presence has critics whispering ‘pay-to-play,’ a stigma that could turn off top high school prospects who prefer programs with richer traditions over transfer-laden rosters.

The St john’s alum who is seen sitting behind the bench every game doesn’t aim to stop till he sees that national championship back to New York. In an interview with Front Office Sports, Repole says, “I let [administrators] know that, listen, you guys would have my cooperation to do whatever it takes to help the university get back in the national spotlight”

The Johnnies are riding high on confidence, with the legendary Rick Pitino at the helm and the support of their billionaire alum. The future of the program looks bright, and St. John’s will be aiming for its first-ever championship in program history. Stay tuned for what’s to come!