• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Law

Utah Bill Mirroring Old NCAA Rules Would Ban NIL Deals Tied to Alcohol, Betting, and More

  • The proposed NIL rules would be the strictest in the country and ‘essentially’ match banned NCAA rules.
  • Athletes would need to disclose to the school any partnership worth more than $600.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

A Utah bill headed to the governor’s desk would introduce the country’s strictest name, image, and likeness rules, requiring college athletes to disclose to their school any partnership worth more than $600.

NCAA rules, which were effectively wiped away by a federal judge in February, required athletes to report deals of that size to their schools. The Utah bill would not only reinstate the rule but also require schools to verify that a deal passes both their own standards and those of the bill, which bans promoting alcohol, marijuana, tobacco products, e-cigarettes, vaping, controlled substances, gambling or betting, “sexually oriented” businesses, and some firearms—at least ones athletes cannot legally buy.

The bill passed the Senate on Friday after sailing through the House last month. Utah Gov.  Spencer Cox said Friday that he supports the bill. The new rules would go into effect May 1.

One of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Jordan Teuscher (R., Utah), tells Front Office Sports this action would hopefully serve as a framework for future Utah NIL legislation. He says his bill “essentially mirrored” the NCAA’s now void NIL rules, most recently updated in January.

“I would be in favor of the federal government taking action in this space, whether it’s the January rules or something else,” Teuscher says, while adding that a compact of states passing similar legislation could also get the job done. “There’s no need for local control on this issue. It should be consistent rules across the nation.”

The bill would also undo a recent ruling by the Utah State Records Committee that NIL deals become public records once they are shared with a university. Few universities have given documents to inquisitive reporters, and NIL deals are not considered public records in most states—a recruiting disadvantage for Utah schools, argues Teuscher.

“These are private contracts,” Teuscher says. “The turning over of those documents, we didn’t believe, suddenly made them public documents.”

Students at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, already have to follow similar NIL rules. Since NIL first became legal, the university has had rules in place ensuring all deals fit into the school’s honor code, meaning modest dress with no sleeveless or revealing clothes as well as no coffee, tea, alcohol, and tobacco products.


Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that student NIL deals would need school “approval.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NHL Raises Concerns Over 2026 Olympic Arena’s Delayed Construction

The commissioner says construction progress in Italy remains a deep concern.
Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”

Bears Hit Another Speed Bump for New $5B Stadium in Suburbs

A new state bill would impose several conditions on the NFL team.
Cody Campbell

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Apr 9, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; The Chicago Cubs flag sign is seen prior to a game between the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field

Facial Recognition Tech Suit Against Cubs Dismissed

The Cubs said they don’t use the technology protected by Illinois law.
Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Recording artist Kendrick Lamar performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome.
October 10, 2025

Judge Dismisses Drake’s Super Bowl Defamation Suit

The judge said diss tracks aren’t considered facts.
Feb 4, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) and Toronto Raptors forward Jonathon Mogbo (2) chase after a loose ball during the second half at Scotiabank Arena.
October 13, 2025

Knicks, Raptors Agree to Drop Suit Over ‘Mole’ Accused of Stealing

The Knicks had sought more than $10 million in damages.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 7, 2018; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) and Miami Dolphins free safety Reshad Jones (20) talk with each other after the Bengals defeated the Dolphins at Paul Brown Stadium.
October 10, 2025

Former Dolphins Safety Lands $9.5M Settlement in Advisor Theft Case

Reshad Jones accused his former financial advisor of stealing almost $2.6 million.
Aug 19, 2022; Delaware, OH, USA; More than 1,700 Olentangy Berlin High School students celebrate being named ‘Most Spirited High School in the Country’ by Varsity Brands. The school celebrated with a pep rally in the auditorium.
October 9, 2025

Varsity Brands, PE Owner Face $200M Suit Claiming Systemic Sexual Abuse

Defendants are accused of a coordinated conspiracy.
Hymie Elhai
October 8, 2025

Jets Say Execs Tried to Sink Team President in Bumbling Conspiracy

The team says thousands of deleted text messages show the plot.
Brian Flores
October 7, 2025

Court Again Rejects NFL Request to Send Flores Case to Arbitration

The NFL has tried to keep the case out of open court.