Tag: NIL

NCAA Allows Players To Profit Off NIL. The NCAA Wins … AGAIN: Daily Cavalcade

College athletes are now allowed by the NCAA to profit off of their name, image and likeness. Here’s the key thing you’re missing …

College athletes are now allowed by the NCAA to profit off of their name, image and likeness. Here’s the key thing you’re missing …

College Football Daily Cavalcade: The NCAA allows players to profit off of NIL

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Sorry if this take sucks, it’s not my fault …

The NCAA just ate everyone’s lunch and made them think they’re full.

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Basically, this means Reggie Bush wasn’t actually history’s greatest monster.

With over 20 states and counting passing laws and rules allowing college athletes the ability to profit off of their name, image, and likeness – unfortunately abbreviated to NIL – the NCAA changed its lifelong stance on amateurism and decided it’s now kosher for the student-athletes to – within certain boundaries – make money and get benefits for being who they are.

And the NCAA managed to sound magnanimous about it.

The governing body of college athletics – okay, sort of, but whether or not the NCAA really does have the authority to rule like it does is a thing for another day – will now go by whatever the NIL rules each state has or will put in place, mainly because it was going to happen anyway.

Throw in the 9-0 Supreme Court ruling that the NCAA couldn’t restrict athletes from receiving education-related benefits – punctuated by a scathing rebuke from Justice Brett Kavanaugh – and it might seem like this is a wee bit of a rough patch for the kids in Indy.

You think the NCAA just lost? You think the NCAA just conceded? You think this is the beginning of the evil empire’s downfall?

Bless your heart.

The NCAA might have fallen assbackwards into this situation, but it just pulled off an all-timer of a business model win.

Let me ask you this, with the allowing of student-athletes to profit off of their name, image and likeness, does the NCAA actually have to pay college athletes? Nope.

Do the schools have to pay college athletes? Nope. EVERYTHING is adamantly the same when it comes to colleges being able to directly pay players or incoming recruits. That’s still a no-no.

Does the NCAA have to deal with the impossibly sticky Title IX issue of having to pay the same amount and give the same benefits to female athletes as they do the males? Nope – at least not yet.

Are the college athletes able to unionize? Nope – at least not yet. (That, by the way, would be the potential death blow. Once they figure out the legal way to do that, everything changes.)

Does the NCAA, or do the schools, have to give anything they don’t already provide to the backup punter on the friendly neighborhood MAC program near you? Nope.

Does the NCAA, or do the schools, have to give anything they don’t already provide to the Heisman-caliber quarterback or the first round NFL Draft pick on the defensive front? Nope.

Now try out these two key questions.

Do the NCAA and schools lose any revenue whatsoever from what they’re already bringing in? Nope, and in fact, this likely has the opposite effect with several cash-strapped star college athletes likely to stick around a little longer rather than turn pro early. That ties into this …

Are the players about to be paid, promoted, and marketed by others without the NCAA and the schools having to drop a dime? Yup.

And you think the NCAA might be losing here? It just pulled off a miracle.

The NCAA just 1) advanced its brand, 2) increased its power and relevancy, 3) kept its revenue stream, 4) avoided having to pay the athletes – aka The Labor – 5) got anyone and everyone else to pay for The Labor, 6) will generate more revenue because of that, and 7) …

WON.

Best of all for the NCAA and the colleges, the ball will be kicked off on Saturday, August 28th, and to John Q. Fan the whole NIL debate will be a non-factor.

Okay, agents. Time to go to work.

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Florida releases guidelines for its student-athletes regarding NIL

The student-athletes wait to be paid is finally over with NIL laws going into effect Thursday. Florida released guidelines regarding NIL.

Florida’s name, image and likeness bill will finally be enacted Thursday after a year of waiting since the legislation was passed. With the swift arrival of July 1, Florida’s University Athletic Associated released its guidelines on June 27 for student-athletes and their endorsements and compensation.

These guidelines will not interfere with the bill the state of Florida passed, and it will allow student-athletes to profit off third-party endorsement deals using their name, image and likeness separate from the university.

The first bullet point states what these student-athletes can be compensated for, according to FloridaGators.com.

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The second one reads: “The University of Florida, the athletic department, staff members or boosters may not compensate or arrange compensation to a current or prospective intercollegiate athlete for her or his name, image, likeness.”

Some restrictions that the Gators laid out involving NIL compensation deals is that none of them can interfere with team or class schedules or events. Athletes are only allowed to use university- or athletic-related marks and logos. The UAA said facilities from the school can be used with prior approval and waiver forms handled by the operations department. Florida athletes can’t enter agreements that extend beyond their time with the school or agreements with gambling, sports wagering and performance-enhancing drug vendors.

Finally, all name, image and likeness agreements must be disclosed to the UAA within four days. Student-athletes are also only allowed to use Florida state-licensed lawyers and members in good standing of The Florida Bar as legal representation for name, image and likeness matters only.

After Pennsylvania legalizes NIL benefits, NCAA finally caves on decades-long policy

Shortly after PA legalizes NIL benefits, the NCAA changes its decades-long stance on the issue.

The cracks were shaking the foundation of the NCAA’s moral compass, and now the NCAA has finally attempted to get with the times.

A day before NIL laws in half of the country are set to go into effect, the NCAA has broken down on one of their foundational cores prohibiting student-athletes from benefitting from the use of their name, image, or likeness.

Starting tomorrow, July 1, every student-athlete in all 50 states will be eligible to capitalize on the use of their name, image, or likeness regardless of whether or not their state has passed NIL legislation. No punishments will be enforced for benefitting from a player’s likeness, a position the NCAA held on to so strongly since its inception.

The NCAA will utilize an interim NIL policy, allowing the NCAA to work on some of the finer details that may or not be known just yet.

The NIL changes have been a long time coming, and it is good to see the NCAA finally amend its stance on the subject. Of course, the NCAA has basically been backed into a corner with this new viewpoint as more and more states were challenging the root principle of the NCAA by signing into law various NIL legislation and challenging the NCAA in courts over the issues. And the NCAA has made this policy change on the eve of the new academic year, which is when many of the state laws that have been passed, including Pennsylvania’s, are set to go into effect.

Whatever the case may be and however we reached this turning point in time, it is good to see the NCAA finally come to grips with reality and update its policy for today’s world.

It’s been a long time coming.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.

Gov. Tom Wolf signs bill to allow Penn State players to benefit from NIL

Student-athletes at Penn State and all around Pennsylvania will be able to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness.

On the eve of a brand new era in collegiate athletics, Pennsylvania has taken the final step to allow student-athletes to officially be able to benefit from the use of their name, image, and likeness. On Thursday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed the state’s new budget into law. Inside the budget are details about NIL legislation to allow Penn State student-athletes, and those at every other college or university in Pennsylvania, to capitalize on their own personal brand. Pennsylvania is the 25th state to pass NIL legislation, according to Sports Illustrated.

The NIL changes around college sports officially go into effect on July 1 (Thursday), so Pennsylvania got in just in time to allow student-athletes the opportunities those in a number of other states will be receiving.

According to the language of the bill, student-athletes will be allowed to profit on the use of their name, image or likeness and may receive professional representation. However, no student-athlete will be allowed to use their school’s name or logo and companies related to adult entertainment products and services, alcohol, casinos and gambling, tobacco and electronic smoking products, prescription pharmaceuticals, and controlled dangerous substances are off-limits.

Schools like Penn State, Pitt, and Temple would be prohibited from advertising the NIL possibilities in recruiting pitches.

This will all be wild to see unfold, but it may still take a little time before we see just how Penn State players begin taking advantage of this new era. As the bill states, student-athletes must provide documentation of any deals “at least seven days prior to its execution.” Many schools have set up NIL-specific programs to assist their players to benefit from these new opportunities. At this time, we have not seen a word about such a program from Penn State, but don’t expect that to be the case for very long. Odds are pretty good it’s been worked on for a while and just waiting for things to become official.

In the meantime, brace yourself for a brand new world of student-athletes growing their personal brand. The time has finally come.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.

NCAA changing outlook on name, image and likeness, moving toward temporary solution

NCAA considering temporary solution where schools in states with NIL laws will follow them, schools in states without will make own rules.

The NCAA appears headed toward a temporary solution regarding college athletes’ ability to make money from their name, image and likeness that will involve many schools setting their own individual policies on the matter, two people familiar with the association’s deliberations told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday.

The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The NCAA Board of Governors and the Division I Board of Directors — the association’s top policy-making groups — are scheduled to hold a joint meeting Thursday with an eye toward moving the membership toward a policy stance rather than a rules change.

While some of the particulars of that policy remain to be determined, the basic construct currently under consideration would have schools in states with laws related to name, image and likeness (NIL) follow those laws and schools in states without NIL laws decide for themselves how to proceed. The schools in states without NIL laws would then police themselves.

“What’s going to drive people nuts is that everything is going to be gray,” one of the people said. “Nothing is going to be black and white. Chaos may be too strong a word, but clearly there’s going to be uncertainty for a period of time. That’s just going to be life.”

Eight states have passed laws that will allow athletes to make money from their NIL beginning July 1 or whenever their schools choose. Bills with July 1 effective dates are on the desks of governors in three other states. Altogether, about 15 states could have NIL laws in effect by Sept. 1.

OPINION:  Supreme Court isn’t buying NCAA model, and neither are the rest of us

ANALYSIS:  What NCAA ruling means for college sports, athletes

NCAA:  President Mark Emmert says legal maneuvering in Alston case not done

Because of this, NCAA President Mark Emmert has been adamant that the association must find a solution for athletes in states without such laws.

Monday’s Supreme Court ruling in the Alston antitrust case is prompting the association’s change in approach from what in January had been a highly detailed set of rules changes that included a variety of limits on athletes’ NIL activity and had been was set for a vote by the NCAA Division I Council, the division’s day-to-day policy-making panel.

The high court unanimously ruled that the NCAA’s rules on athlete compensation are subject to detailed antitrust analysis, and such an analysis showed that the association’s limits on education-related benefits for athletes violate the law.

Because of Monday’s ruling, “we’re going to have to have low to no regulation going forward” until a federal law is enacted that would override the state laws or the association can sort rules that it believes are compatible with the Supreme Court ruling,” said the other person familiar with the deliberations.

That means the extensive rules proposal that was to have been voted on in January is “not operational anymore because of the ruling on Monday. Low to no regulation will be the only way (for now). The January proposal does not offer that.”

Follow colleges reporter Steve Berkowitz on Twitter @ByBerkowitz

How Texas football can benefit off of new Name, Image and Likeness bill

Pinpointing the ways that University of Texas athletes can take advantage of the NIL bill being passed.

On Monday, Governor Greg Abbott signed a senate bill that allows for college athletes in the state of Texas to be paid for use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL).

This law will take effect on July 1, 2021, and can give the University of Texas a major recruiting edge and also allow for current players to reap the benefits immediately.

Texas had already implemented courses and educational ventures prior to the passing of the bill in order to prepare and teach the athletes the best ways that they can maximize the profit off their personal brand. There will also be courses provided as to further educate the athletes on financial aid, debt management, and budgeting of money.

College athletes being able to receive benefits was bound to happen, and the programs that are in the best position to succeed are the ones that are willing to learn about and facilitate these ventures.

Take a look at what Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said about the passing of the bill:

Texas’ preparedness for this situation will be huge in their recruiting pitches, as prospects will surely recognize that they will be able to boost their brand with the Longhorns.

There is evidence backing this from May 2020, in a study published by Axios, where data showed that multiple Texas athletes would make insurmountable profits if they were allowed to profit off NIL at the time. At the top of the list, above players such as LSU’s star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, was former Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger, who they estimated would make close to $1 million dollars. This was large enough to show a $700,000 margin separation than the second highest athlete.

How does this come into play for recruiting?

For starters, there is nothing more attractive to a young athlete than a school that willingly adapts to the current times and wants athletes to develop and profit off their following on social media. It will also be more incentivized for an athlete to attend Texas as they would develop even more of a fanbase while taking their career to the next level on the field.

For a school like Texas, who has not been contending for titles recently, this law going into place boosts recruiting by showing the top recruits that they can still maximize their profit regardless. The fact that the program is on the come-up again will only assist in doing so. Ehlinger was never truly in contention for a Heisman, didn’t win a conference title, and was a sixth round draft pick. To be rated as the most valuable player in college football in that aspect just shows how big of a market Texas is working with.

With a new staff that has a winning history at the highest level, the Texas program can certainly reassert themselves, all while boosting the brands of the athletes. Current players such as linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who has a large social media following on TikTok and has a future in the NFL, could potentially make the same if not more money in college than he would likely make on his first NFL contract.

For some athletes, there is no professional career after college, so being able to take advantage of when they are most profitable and help their future is all the reason that Texas will likely be the model program after the passing of this law.

Watch: ‘The NCAA needs to step up’ —Trace Armstrong’s opinion on modern college football

One of the biggest stories the past several months has been the battle for the rights to the names, images & likenesses of student-athletes.

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Editor’s note: Gators Wire recently interviewed former Florida and NFL great Trace Armstrong to discuss a variety of topics, ranging from his youth to the modern game of football. During our conversations, he provided a plethora of fascinating anecdotes that we will share with you in a multi-part series.

Be sure to check back each Wednesday in the coming months for future installments of “Talking with Trace.” The series is part of a partnership between our colleagues at Campus Lore and the NFLPA.

Previously, we have discussed who was the greatest Gator ever and why the Miami Dolphins was such a great place for Trace. 

One of the biggest stories in collegiate sports the past several months has been the battle for the rights to the names, images and likenesses of student-athletes, as well as the push for looser transfer portal parameters in the major sports.

Gators Wire editor Adam Dubbin discussed the issue with former Florida football standout and NFL Pro Bowler Trace Armstrong, who is currently a sports agent who represents several big-name college football coaches, as well as a handful of broadcasters.

Here is what he had to say on the topic.

ADAM DUBBIN: “What are your thoughts on the naming, image rights, etc. that’s going through legislation currently and various institutions trying to apply it. What are your thoughts about that?”

Trace Armstrong of the Miami Dolphins watches his team battle the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Nov.12, 2000. The Dolphins won 17-7. (Stephen Dunn/ALLSPORT)

TRACE ARMSTRONG: “I think it’ll be interesting to see what actually happens… where the market is. Are we talking millions of dollars or are we talking thousands of dollars? And then, what safeguards are put in place [to prevent] some places or schools [who] use it to break the rules and use it for an illegal advantage.”

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“So I think there’s a lot to be worked out right now. I think the NCAA needs to step up and lead on this. I think they’ve been very reactive in how they’ve handled players and handled NIL. So I think the game… it’s a danger that the game faces right now. So I’m a little concerned about that.”

NCAA president Mark Emmert speaks during a press conference at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on April 4, 2019. (Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports)

“But I’m absolutely for player rights and for players to have the ability to transfer within reason. They also have to recognize too that if you’re a player, you sign a scholarship — the way it works now is that most of these are four-year scholarships and a lot of these kids, they come, they sign scholarships and many of them don’t play. about 40% of the kids that sign Division I football scholarships never really see the field. So if they want to make it more like a job they’re also going to have to recognize that if you’re one of those kids that is not going to play, you know, there could be a situation where the school says, ‘You know what? We’re terminating the scholarship.'”

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

“So I think there’s going to be some back-and-forth and some things that need to be thought through and worked out, and that’s why I think there’s a real need for good, strong leadership at the NCAA level right now.”

WATCH: Chicago’s great, but Miami’s the place for former Gator Trace Armstrong

WATCH: Florida football great Trace Armstrong selects his best Gator ever

Tulane is third school not to partake in EA Sports NCAA Football

Notre Dame’s highly debatable decision not to allow itself in the next edition of EA Sports NCAA Football continues to have a ripple effect.

Notre Dame’s highly debatable decision not to allow itself in the next edition of EA Sports NCAA Football continues to have the desired ripple effect. Tulane announced Friday that it also was pulling out of participation in the revived video game franchise. Athletic director Troy Dannen made the following announcement:

Let’s not kid ourselves. Nobody except diehard Green Wave fans and people who like building dynasties with lesser known programs was going to buy this game so they could play as this team. Tulane doesn’t have nearly the same influence as Notre Dame or even Northwestern, the second program to pull out of the game. Still, this should make it clear that no one is a given to allow itself to be part of it anymore.

It’s amazing that it could take programs not participating in a video game to fast-track the NIL process and finally get college football players the money they’ve deserved for so long. Hey, whatever works, right?

See Notre Dame helping early enrollee freshman build their brand

The Notre Dame football brand is strong and they are using it to help the early enrollee freshman get a head start on NIL.

Although the NCAA can’t get Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) approved just yet, that hasn’t stopped schools from getting their players a head start on the process of financial gain from NIL. The Notre Dame football staff is getting the incoming freshman a head start.

Once the NCAA approves NIL, players will start to get compensated for their work off the field. The photo shoot is giving the newest Irish footballers an opportunity to get ahead of the game. They’ll have these photos to use for whatever purpose they would like.

Looking forward to when the NCAA finally goes push NIL through, it is going to be a huge selling point for incoming recruits. Multiple schools across the country are thinking like the Irish and have begun the process to prepare their student-athletes for this transition.

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For example if NIL was present for this past season, don’t you think players like Ian Book and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would have had multiple business contacting them for business opportunities? The all-time winningest Notre Dame quarterback surely would have been a big draw. How about the Butkus Award winner, most likely the same scenario.

Having a school that backs their student-athletes going forward is going to be extremely important. It looks like the Irish are in good hands in that department.

Insta influencers, Notre Dame among best schools at using Instagram

In a recent study of major college programs using Instagram, Notre Dame ranks among the best at interaction on the social site.

Social media interaction is everything with the younger generation, not just on one platform but on multiple. Twitter, TicTok and Instragram are among the most popular and Notre Dame has been doing a fantastic job with reaching their audience on the different platforms.

Every game day, we highlight the best tweets from the Irish’s multiple Twitter accounts, but in this graphic, they’re not just crushing tweeting, it’s Instragram as well.

Being in the top 10 of this graph is important, it shows to current players and perspective recruits that the Irish understand the importance of having a presence on social platforms. By having this kind of interaction, it gains the players more followers, thus building their brands.

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This will become vastly important when the NCAA finally comes to a decision on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). Players obviously won’t be able to get paid by their school, but with NIL they will be able to make some money to offset their time put into the program.

This is just another recruiting tool that Brian Kelly and his staff can use to a prospect to lure them to South Bend. With the Irish posting around 2 times a day, generating over 5 million views from Irish fans. This is huge for players expanding their horizons and getting an opportunity to eventually make some money off their NIL.