Intellectual Property and College Athletics – NCAA Clarifies Stance on Student-Athlete Compensation
On May 11, 2020 by Schnader in Intellectual PropertyW. Drew Kastner, Matthew N. Korenoski, and E. Taylor Hodges published a client alert, “Intellectual Property and College Athletics – NCAA Clarifies Stance on Student-Athlete Compensation.”
On April 29, 2020, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) clarified its position supporting the NCAA’s Federal and State Legislation Working Group’s proposed rule changes to allow student-athletes to receive compensation for third-party endorsements, social media influence, personal appearances, and their own businesses – all for the first time.
This action follows on the heels of an October 29, 2019 NCAA Board of Governors vote that allowed student-athletes to be compensated for use of their names, images, and likenesses (“NILs”) “in a manner consistent with the collegiate model.” The NCAA now expects rules to be written by October 31, 2020, with a vote occurring no later than January 31, 2021. Applicable NIL rights would be in effect for the 2021-22 athletic season.