College Athletes Can Get Paid To Promote Voting, Thanks to NIL

During the 2020 election cycle, college athletes nationwide used their platform to help their peers. Thanks to name, image, and likeness rules, they can now get paid to do so.

A group of athletes have signed deals to promote an initiative called “All Vote No Play,” which provides educational resources for civic engagement and encourages teams to give athletes the day off to vote.

More than 150 athletes are participating through the help of NIL collectives, according to On3, by helping out at the polls and posting on social media. 

“We’re trying to help all athletes see, flex and grow their ‘civic muscles’ like they do their athletic muscles,” the website said.

“All Vote No Play” was first launched in 2020, and was a driving force behind the NCAA rule change at the time that prohibited Division I teams from holding activities on Election Day. 

Since then, however, the NCAA has rolled back that rule — in-season teams can practice or play on Election Day so long as they give athletes a day off for “civic engagement” within 30 days of Nov. 8.

Division II athletes, however, will all get the day off for the first time.