NIL for
Student
Athletes

NCAA, state and federal laws and guidelines continue to evolve relating to the right of student athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness. We aim to cover the latest news and provide education and resources for administrators, coaches and student athletes.

Disclaimer: This information is made available for educational purposes.  It provides general information and is not intended to provide specific legal advice. This information should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

Paige Bueckers NIL deal for Gatorade

How to Get Started with NIL

Not sure how to get started with NIL? We’ve put together a guide to help athletes and parents navigate this new and evolving space.

NIL Deals by Type

Although it’s impossible to cover every NIL deal, we’ve been reporting on NIL deals since Day 1

and have a wide variety of deals categorized by type below.

FAQs on NIL

Disclaimer: This information is made available for educational purposes.  It provides general information and is not intended to provide specific legal advice. This information should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

What is name, image and likeness?

Name, image and likeness, or “NIL” as it’s called, refers to a student athlete’s ability to earn money from their personal brand. This can be getting paid to sign autographs, coach lessons/clinics, post on their social media, appear at a restaurant and more.

In July 2021, the NCAA and multiple states, made it allowable for the first time for college student athletes to monetize their NIL. The NAIA similarly passed legislation in October.

The overarching rule is that student athletes cannot be paid to attend a specific school or for their performance as an athlete. From there, state laws and institutional policies govern the types of brands they can work with, if/how they can use the institutions logos and other intellectual property and other rules.

What is the NCAA NIL rule?

The NCAA’s interim NCAA policy passed in June 2021, has three primary provisions:

  • Individuals can engage in NIL activities that are consistent with the law of the state where the school is located. Colleges and universities are responsible for determining whether those activities are consistent with state law.
  • College athletes who attend a school in a state without an NIL law can engage in this type of activity without violating NCAA rules related to name, image and likeness.
  • Individuals can use a professional services provider for NIL activities.
  • Student-athletes should report NIL activities consistent with state law or school and conference requirements to their school.

The NCAA has also issued clarifications to those rules.

Can NCAA athletes have agents?

Yes, NCAA student athletes can engage with agents, attorneys and financial advisors, but the scope must be limited to activities related to their NIL and cannot extend beyond the end of their eligibility or graduation.

What are examples of name, image and likeness?

Student athletes are monetizing their name, image and likeness with:

  • Social media marketing
  • Camps/clinics
  • Appearances
  • Autographs/memorabilia
  • Group licensing
  • Merchandise
  • Affiliate/ambassador roles
  • NFTs
  • Blogging
  • Podcasting
  • Public Speaking
  • Music, art, etc.
  • Entrepreneurship
Can international athletes do NIL deals?

The NCAA does allow international student athletes to do NIL deals, but the terms of their student visas impose limitations. Visit our NIL for International Athletes guide.

What is an NIL collective?

A collective is an organization formed to benefit student athletes, usually at a specific institution. The models vary somewhat, but the basic premise of most is that an alum, or group of alums, band together to form a company whose goal is to provide NIL opportunities to student athletes of that institution. How they find or provide those opportunities is where the models really differ.

Check out our directory of NIL collectives.

NIL Services

NIL Workshops/Speaking

From student athletes to athletic administrators and coaches, Kristi leads workshops to help everyone understand and leverage NIL better.

NIL Consulting

Need to tap into the knowledge of someone covering the NIL landscape on a daily basis? Kristi is available for short-term or long-term consulting.