• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

Greg Sankey Explains Why He’s Against State Laws Governing NIL

  • Sankey believes that state NIL laws have created unfair advantages for certain schools.
  • He also criticized the fact that state legislatures aren’t enforcing their laws, prohibiting the NCAA from doing so.
Jul 17, 2023; Nashville, TN, USA; SEC commissioner Greg Sankey talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Hyatt.
Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

During the first day of SEC football media days on Monday, Commissioner Greg Sankey railed against the current state of the name, image, and likeness landscape.

While he acknowledged that NIL was a “net positive” for college athletes, he has significant issues with industry governance. 

More than 30 state laws currently govern NIL — with often vastly different rules. The commissioner and NCAA and conference officials around the country have been lobbying for a uniform, federal NIL law. 

While the NCAA and others are lobbying for a uniform bill to gain more control over NIL and prevent athlete employment status, Sankey laid out other issues with the state law approach that he hopes Congress can fix.

State legislatures from Texas to New York have passed NIL laws with input from major local universities on what rules might give them a recruiting advantage. These tactics would allow athletic department employees to help athletes get deals or allow athletic department foundations to run collectives.

That creates two issues, Sankey said. First, it’s confusing for recruits. Second, it creates a potentially unfair situation where some schools can involve themselves in NIL in a way their competitors can’t.

“Student-athletes want to know their competitors from other states are governed by the same rules,” Sankey said. “Uniformity will ensure a high school student being recruited by universities across the country knows there is a consistent set of rules guiding their NIL activity.”

He also noted that no one is enforcing NIL rules of any kind. 

The NCAA handed down its first NIL infraction to the University of Miami earlier this year, but its penalties amounted to little more than a slap on the risk. 

And now, in multiple states, the NCAA or conferences are prohibited from punishing schools or athletes for violating their policies. In other words, it’s now illegal for the NCAA to punish a school for certain NIL infractions in certain states. 

At the same time, Sankey noted that state legislatures aren’t punishing schools for violating their state laws. 

“Our student-athletes deserve something better than a patchwork of state laws that support their NIL activity if support is the right word,” he said. “Our student-athletes deserve better than a race to the bottom at the state legislature level.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
(NCL_OSU_11_SUGAR_LAURON 04JAN11) Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Terrelle Pryor (2) slips around the Arkansas Razorbacks defense during first half of the Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, January 4, 2011.

Terrelle Pryor’s Case for NIL Backpay Dismissed in Court

Pryor played seven years in the NFL after leaving OSU amid a scandal.
exclusive

Fox Sports Nearing Deal for Dave Portnoy on ‘Big Noon,’ Barstool on..

Barstool content could fill some FS1 airtime vacated by three canceled shows.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Mar 21, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Memphis Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway walks off the court after losing to Colorado State Rams at Climate Pledge Arena.

Memphis Basketball and Softball Placed on NCAA Probation

Memphis has had multiple NCAA issues since hiring Penny Hardaway.
July 16, 2025

Alabama’s New Era Contends With NIL—and Nick Saban Rumors

Kalen DeBoer is entering his second season as head coach.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Texas Head Coach Steve Sarkisian waits to lead his team out of the tunnel ahead of the Longhorns' game against the Baylor Bears, Saturday, Sept. 23 at McLane Stadium in Waco.
July 15, 2025

Is a Texas Takeover About to Hit the SEC, On and Off..

The Longhorns are favored to win the SEC in their second year in the conference.
Georgia takes the field for the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.
July 15, 2025

SEC Lands Starring Role in Netflix College Football Docuseries

Netflix brings its sports storytelling to the heart of SEC football.
May 15, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; United States Capitol seen as People rally outside the Supreme Court before justices hears oral arguments in Trump v. CASA, Inc. At issue in the case is if the Supreme Court should stay the district courts' nationwide preliminary injunctions on the Trump administration’s executive order ending birthright citizenship.
July 15, 2025

Pro-NCAA Bill Takes First Step Toward Being Introduced on House Floor for..

It could be the first bill of its kind to make it to the House floor.
July 15, 2025

Georgia’s Kirby Smart Says Money Is Making Players Too Comfortable

The football coach is concerned about the revenue-sharing era.