Varsity Six

What is NIL?

Name, image and likeness rights are also frequently called an individual's right to publicity. College athletes will be able to accept money from businesses in exchange for allowing the business to feature them in advertisements or products. Athletes also will be allowed to use their own status as a college athlete to promote their own public appearances or companies for the first time.

Who is making the rules?

The majority of US states that have laws in effect that dictate how college athletes can profit from their name, image and likeness. The NCAA & NAIA has instructed individual colleges in states that do not have a law in effect yet to craft their own policies based on loose guidelines that are designed to prevent pay-for-play deals and payments that are used as recruiting inducements.

Will Colleges be allowed to pay athletes directly?

No. Most new state laws and the NCAA rules explicitly prohibit colleges from paying athletes directly for the use of their NIL or for any other purposes.

Can athletes hire agents to help with all this?

Yes. All state laws and NCAA rules allow athletes to hire professional help in the form of lawyers, agents and tax professionals and others. Those new relationships come with a major caveat, though. Agents can help with NIL deals. Their contracts can't stipulate that the agents would represent the athlete in future negotiations if they turn pro.

Can athletes enter into NIL agreements with boosters?

The NCAA does not have any rules that restrict boosters from paying athletes as long as those payments are not directly for their athletic performance or an inducement for recruiting purposes. Some new state laws address booster involvement in different ways, and some might need further interpretation before it's clear how involved boosters can be in paying athletes in those states.