Also known as NIL and used by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), name, image, and likeness refers to the unique characteristics of a student-athlete. This covers not only the three main components of the phrase, but also nickname, signature, individual symbol, design, social media account, or other things that would fall under the NIL umbrella.

In the past, student-athletes could not profit from their NIL. Due to NCAA rules, athletes were unable to sell autographs, memorabilia, or other items that were their NIL. The colleges and universities they were attending, on the other hand, could. Schools could use the individual’s NIL in marketing, merchandise, school promotion, and other materials. The athlete in question would not see any money from these endeavors and the school would keep all of the profits. Students who were caught selling items or autographs would often be met with discipline, including fines and suspension. In 2021, the NCAA actually voted on and approved a change in rules regarding NIL. Previous NIL rules were suspended, and student athletes can now take full advantage of their NIL. Students can sell training camps, autographs, social media posts, sponsorship, and more.

Yes, when the NCAA installed its interim NIL policy on July 1, 2021, a new age of college athletics began. While some states opted to wait out the NCAA’s move, others rushed to craft their own state legislation in time after California Senate Bill 206 passed in Sept. 2019, which started a domino effect. The landscape is still is changing day-by-day. Some states chose to not propose their own legislation ahead of the NCAA’s decision and have since installed their own. Others have amended their earlier laws, making them less restrictive to suit the collective-driven world of NIL. And there are still a handful of states who have not made a move or have not had success in passing proposed legislation, choosing to stick with the NCAA’s guidelines. More can be found here: https://www.on3.com/nil/laws/high-school/