From Forbidden to Free-for-all: Navigating the Era of Name, Image, & Likeness in College Athletics with a Focus on Opportunity
The era of Name, Image, & Likeness (NIL) in Collegiate Athletics came fully into being three years ago on July 1, 2021, with both the first state laws permitting collegiate athletes to access NIL opportunities going into effect and then the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) relenting to permit this potentially massive sea change. NIL has been described as everything from the ruination of college sports to a long overdue change and has been discussed nearly constantly since. This presentation will explore not only the present state of NIL on campuses, but how the laws and policies affecting NIL have evolved, where they are, and where they may be headed. It will also explore how NIL should interact with existing advancement, fundraising and philanthropy programs and how universities can better leverage the opportunities created by NIL to develop an overall NIL philosophy that fits both authentically and strategically with each institution's goals.