What is NIL?
Name, Image, and Likeness provides student-athletes the opportunity to receive compensation for commercial purposes. Lindenwood NIL aims to inspire entrepreneurial and innovative thinking which ensures that every student-athlete has the necessary resources and knowledge to create, leverage, and promote their own personal brand. This will allow Lindenwood student-athletes to maximize their value at Lindenwood and endure through life after sport.
Name, Image, and Likeness activities include but are not limited to:
- Endorsing a brand or company on social media
- Hosting a camp or clinic
- Attending a meet and greet at a local organization.
- Making an appearance for a child’s birthday party
General NIL Information
Lindenwood Student-Athlete NIL Policy
Booster FAQ
The NCAA recently changed its rules to permit student-athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness ("NIL"), including to promote commercial businesses. The following FAQ has been developed to assist TSF members in understanding the requirements to compensate a Lindenwood student-athlete for NIL activities.
- Q: What is name, image, and likeness (NIL) and how are the NCAA rules changing?
- A: NIL refers to a student-athlete earning compensation in exchange for the use their name or picture to promote a commercial business. Previously, the NCAA prohibited student-athletes from earning compensation in this manner (ex. A student-athlete couldn't appear in local car dealership commercial). As of July 1, 2021, the NCAA permits a student-athlete to earn compensation in exchange for participating in NIL activities. NIL activities may include, but are not limited to: social media endorsements, commercials, appearances, autograph signings, and other business activities. Additionally, in May 2021 the Missouri Legislature passed a law protecting a student-athletes right to earn compensation from NIL activities. The state law became effective on August 28, 2021.
- Q: Can a Lindenwood Coach or TSF provide me a student-athlete's contact information for NIL purposes?
- A: No. Missouri state law prohibits all University employees from compensating or causing compensation to be directed to a student-athlete, a prospective student-athlete, or their family members for NIL activities. While it is permissible for a booster to compensate a student-athlete for NIL activities, University employees may not be involved in arranging NIL activities.
- Q: Can a booster arrange for a student-athlete to promote a business I own or work at?
- A: Yes, as long as University staff member is not involved in arranging for the promotion, it is permissible for a booster to contract with a student-athlete for NIL activities. Student-athletes are required to disclose all NIL activities to the Athletic Compliance Office before they occur.
- Q: Can a booster provide a student-athlete with non-cash compensation (free meal, discount, etc.) for a permissible NIL activity?
- A: Yes, in-kind compensation is permissible, provided the student-athlete has completed the promotion and disclosed the agreement to the University. It remains impermissible to provide payment of any kind to a student-athlete for work not performed.
- Q: Can a booster pay a student-athlete to attend my child's birthday party and sign autographs?
- A: Yes, appearances and autograph sessions are permissible NIL activities, provided the student-athlete has disclosed the activity to the University.
- Q: Can a booster provide NIL compensation to a high school recruit so they will attend Lindenwood?
- A: No. Any compensation provided as an inducement to attend Lindenwood remains impermissible. Prospective student-athletes may not engage in NIL activities until they officially enroll at Lindenwood.
- Q: Are there other restrictions on NIL Activities?
- A: Yes. A businesses agreement with a student-athlete cannot conflict with the University's Code of Conduct, or contracts between the University and another third-party. Student-athletes (or the company involved in the promotion) cannot use Lindenwood University’s protected logos, trademarks, or phrases without proper licensing. Content created by the University (e.g., game photos or video) also cannot be used for commercial purposes without proper licensing. Finally, student-athletes cannot participate in NIL activities during official team activities.
When dealing with NCAA rules and student-athlete eligibility, there are many caveats and exceptions. It is recommended all boosters contact the Athletics Compliance Office to review any questions related to NIL activities prior to the activity.
Businesses FAQ
The NCAA recently changed its rules to permit student-athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness ("NIL"), including to promote commercial businesses. The following FAQ has been developed to assist businesses in understanding the requirements to compensate a Lindenwood student-athlete for NIL activities.
- Q: What is NIL and how are the NCAA rules changing?
- A: NIL refers to a student-athlete earning compensation in exchange for the use their name or picture to promote a commercial business. Previously, the NCAA prohibited student-athletes from earning compensation in this manner (ex. A student-athlete couldn't appear in local car dealership commercial). As of July 1, 2021, the NCAA permits a student-athlete to earn compensation in exchange for participating in NIL activities. NIL activities may include, but are not limited to: social media endorsements, commercials, appearances, autograph signings, and other business activities. Additionally, in May 2021 the Missouri Legislature passed a law protecting a student-athletes right to earn compensation from NIL activities. The state law became effective on August 28, 2021.
- Q: Can a Lindenwood Coach or staff member provide me a student-athlete's contact information for NIL purposes?
- A: No. Missouri state law prohibits all University employees from compensating or causing compensation to be directed to a student-athlete, a prospective student-athlete, or their family members for NIL activities. Businesses interested in hiring a Lindenwood student-athlete for NIL purposes should contact the student-athlete directly, or register for an endorsement marketplace.
- Q: Can I pay a student-athlete to promote my business?
- A: Yes, as long as University staff member is not involved in arranging for the promotion, a student-athlete may be paid to promote your business. Student-athletes are required to disclose all NIL activities to the Athletic Compliance Office before they occur.
- Q: Can I provide a student-athlete with non-cash compensation (free meal, discount, etc.) for a permissible NIL activity?
- A: Yes, in-kind compensation is permissible, provided the student-athlete has completed the promotion and disclosed the agreement to the University. It remains impermissible to provide payment of any kind to a student-athlete for work not performed.
- Q: Can I provide NIL compensation to a high school recruit so they will attend Lindenwood?
- A: No. Any compensation provided as an inducement to attend Lindenwood remains impermissible.
- Q: Are there other restrictions on NIL Activities?
- A: Yes. A businesses agreement with a student-athlete cannot conflict with the University's Code of Conduct, or contracts between the University and another third-party. Student-athletes (or the company involved in the promotion) cannot use University of Missouri's protected logos, trademarks, or phrases without proper licensing. Content created by the University (e.g., game photos or video) also cannot be used for commercial purposes without proper licensing. Finally, student-athletes cannot participate in NIL activities during official team activities.
When dealing with NCAA rules and student-athlete eligibility, there are many caveats and exceptions. It is recommended local businesses contact the Athletics Compliance Office to review any questions related to NIL activities prior to the activity.
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