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Name, Image and Likeness

The
NIL Era

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.

NIL Quick Links

Trackers

NIL Legislation by State

NIL Policies by Institution

NIL Marketplaces for Student Athletes

Car Deals for Student Athletes

Student Athlete Podcasts and Paid Guest Series 

Big Questions

NIL for High School Student Athletes

NIL for International Student Athletes

Tax Implications

Title IX and NIL

NIL Deals

It would be impossible to track every deal, but here are the fun, interesting or notable ones we’ve written about here on Business of College Sports:

Individual Deals

Female Deals

Group Deals & Group Licensing

Car Deals

Professional Sports Team Deals

Latest News and Analysis

Stephen Curry and Azzi Fudd

Stephen Curry and SC30 Inc. Sign Azzi Fudd to Groundbreaking Brand Relationship

Rayquan Smith NIL deal with Admirals

Rayquan Smith Signs First HBCU NIL Deal With a Pro Sports Team

Paige Bueckers for Gatorade in NIL deal

Gatorade’s First NIL Deal is With Paige Bueckers

Game Face podcast with Chloe Mitchell

Game Face: My New NIL Podcast with Linktree for Student Athletes

Wisconsin student athletes with Wisconsin logo

Learfield Allied Offers Access to Intellectual Property for NIL

Oregon Airbnb house

Oregon Student Athletes Will Rotate As Airbnb Hosts in New NIL Concept

Oregon Ducks fans

Oregon-Focused NIL Company Division Street Joins Forces With Opendorse

Azzi Fudd for BioSteel in NIL deal

UCONN’s Azzi Fudd Inks NIL Deal With BioSteel That Includes Shares

State
Tracker

Our state-by-state tracker on proposed NIL legislation.

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School
Policies

Our database of school policies on NIL.

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NIL
Marketplaces

The most active marketplaces in the NIL space.

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NCAA
Interim
Rules

The interim rules passed by the NCAA.

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Podcast Episodes

Drew Butler of Icon Source on Game Face podcast

Game Face Podcast: Advice for Student Athletes on Working With Brands

Game Face podcast with Chloe Mitchell

Game Face: My New NIL Podcast with Linktree for Student Athletes

Darien Rencher podcasting

Student Athlete Podcasters Talk NIL and Long-Term Goals

Group Licensing and NIL with The Brandr Group

Charting a Course for the Future of the MEAC

Trevor Bechtold on NIL and athletic faciltiies

How NIL is Impacting Facilities Projects

The NIL Economy in Columbus, Ohio

Dave Capitano on Business of College Sports Podcast

Navigating Taxes for Student Athletes with NIL Revenue

NAIA Rule
Changes

A breakdown of the NAIA’s rule changes related to NIL.

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Community College Considerations

Thoughts on opportunities for community college student athletes.

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FAQs about Name, Image and Likeness

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.

Author

  • Kristi A. Dosh is the founder of BusinessofCollegeSports.com and has served as a sports business analyst and contributor for outlets such as Forbes, ESPN, SportsBusiness Journal, Bleacher Report, SB Nation and more. She is also the author of a book on the business of college football, Saturday Millionaires. Kristi is a sought-after consultant and speaker on topics related to the business of college sports and a former practicing attorney.

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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.

Author

  • Kristi A. Dosh is the founder of BusinessofCollegeSports.com and has served as a sports business analyst and contributor for outlets such as Forbes, ESPN, SportsBusiness Journal, Bleacher Report, SB Nation and more. She is also the author of a book on the business of college football, Saturday Millionaires. Kristi is a sought-after consultant and speaker on topics related to the business of college sports and a former practicing attorney.

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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.

Author

  • Kristi A. Dosh is the founder of BusinessofCollegeSports.com and has served as a sports business analyst and contributor for outlets such as Forbes, ESPN, SportsBusiness Journal, Bleacher Report, SB Nation and more. She is also the author of a book on the business of college football, Saturday Millionaires. Kristi is a sought-after consultant and speaker on topics related to the business of college sports and a former practicing attorney.

    Click to learn more


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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

You can see specific examples by category:

Individual Deals

Female Deals

Group Deals & Group Licensing

Car Deals

Professional Sports Team Deals

Author

  • Kristi A. Dosh is the founder of BusinessofCollegeSports.com and has served as a sports business analyst and contributor for outlets such as Forbes, ESPN, SportsBusiness Journal, Bleacher Report, SB Nation and more. She is also the author of a book on the business of college football, Saturday Millionaires. Kristi is a sought-after consultant and speaker on topics related to the business of college sports and a former practicing attorney.

    Click to learn more


    View all posts


Author

  • Kristi A. Dosh is the founder of BusinessofCollegeSports.com and has served as a sports business analyst and contributor for outlets such as Forbes, ESPN, SportsBusiness Journal, Bleacher Report, SB Nation and more. She is also the author of a book on the business of college football, Saturday Millionaires. Kristi is a sought-after consultant and speaker on topics related to the business of college sports and a former practicing attorney. Click to learn more

    View all posts