• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 15, 2025

NIL Can Be Simple

  • More than a year-and-a-half after the first NIL law passed, the NCAA still hasn’t passed NIL rules of its own.
  • Meanwhile, the NAIA passed NIL laws in October 2020, and athletes just spent their first year making money.
Photo: NAIA/Design: Alex Brooks

After a California NIL law passed in 2019, the NCAA announced it would restore its athletes’ rights to profit off their name, image, and likeness. But more than a year-and-a-half later, the governing body still hasn’t passed NIL rules.

Meanwhile, the NAIA passed NIL laws in October 2020, and athletes just spent their first year making money.

NAIA’s Blueprint

The NAIA’s rules are much looser than the NCAA’s proposal from November.

For example, they’re much less restrictive on the types of deals athletes can participate in. The NAIA allows athletes to use their school logos, or wear their jerseys, in endorsement deals. That’s something the NCAA wants to prohibit, according to its November proposal.

The NCAA’s legislation would also keep athletes from signing deals with companies that “conflict with NCAA legislation” — like “banned substances” or sports betting entities. Athletic departments, however, currently have sponsorship deals with sports betting operators.

The NAIA leaves that restriction up to individual conferences.

Perhaps the dizzying number of caveats to NCAA NIL rules is why the governing body plans to pay a third-party administrator to oversee and police its deals. The NAIA, meanwhile, only requires that athletes tell their athletic departments about their NIL plans.

The NAIA didn’t respond to FOS’ written interview requests. But athletes all over the NAIA have already successfully made money off their NIL. And, in general, the sky hasn’t fallen.

Unnecessary Complications 

The NCAA wants tight control over NIL deals. But in January, the Justice Department warned that the NCAA’s rules could violate federal antitrust law because they’re too strict, according to USA Today

So the governing body claims it can’t pass NIL laws until it receives a decision in the antitrust Supreme Court case, NCAA v. Alston

The NAIA has shown it’s possible to write NIL laws that don’t violate antitrust. The NCAA could follow suit, but it’s too concerned with NIL deals going awry — which could result in losing its grip on amateurism.

State-by-State Caveats

NAIA schools could be subject to state NIL laws that don’t specify that they refer only to NCAA athletes. In fact, the NAIA knew it would have to abide by the California law, which is why it changed its rules in the first place.

So while this year may have been simple, NAIA schools may have more specific restrictions if they’re in states where laws have extra caveats.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

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.

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.
Jul 9, 2025; Frisco, TX, USA; Head coaches Willie Fritz of Houston, Mike Gundy of Oklahoma State, Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia, Lance Leipold of Kansas, Sonny Dykes of TCU, Kyle Whittingham of Utah, Brent Brennan of Arizona and Deion Sanders of Colorado all sit on stage for a Coaches Roundtable during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star.

Big 12 Commish: Conference Is ‘All In’ on International Expansion

The conference had once planned a large initiative in Mexico.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.

Featured Today

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

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.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
Georgia takes the field for the first half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

SEC Lands Starring Role in Netflix College Football Docuseries

Netflix brings its sports storytelling to the heart of SEC football.
July 15, 2025

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

The football coach is concerned about the revenue-sharing era.
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.
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
July 14, 2025

Lane Kiffin: ‘Doesn’t Seem’ Like CFB Revenue-Sharing Cap Works Very Well

The outspoken Ole Miss football coach isn’t impressed with revenue-sharing guidelines.
July 14, 2025

SEC’s Sankey Is ‘Fine’ With Big Ten’s Differing View on CFP Expansion

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey won’t commit to a 2026 CFP format.
July 14, 2025

SEC’s Greg Sankey: Conference Not Sold on Private Equity—for Now

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said he’s taken PE meetings.
July 11, 2025

NCAA: March Madness Expansion to 76 Teams ‘Still Viable’ for 2026

Negotiations continue with media rights holder CBS and TNT Sports.