Name, Image & Likeness (NIL): Three Key Legal Issues Facing Businesses in College Athlete Endorsement Deals to Date

Monica P. Matias and W. Drew Kastner published a client alert, “Name, Image & Likeness (NIL): Three Key Legal Issues Facing Businesses in College Athlete Endorsement Deals to Date.”

The commercial landscape of college athletics has experienced significant change in recent months. The release of the new NCAA “interim policy,” prompted in part by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in NCAA v. Alston, has allowed college athletes and businesses to benefit from new endorsement and income opportunities involving the licensing of an athlete’s name, image, and likeness (“NIL”). Following the NCAA interim policy released in June 2021, a multitude of states enacted NIL statutes outlining the procedures and limitations for endorsement deals by athletes to license their NIL.

Despite the world of opportunities that has opened up, the NIL landscape faces ongoing uncertainty and potential pitfalls due to the patchwork of NCAA, state, and university rules and regulations requiring compliance by college athletes and businesses. In order to benefit from all that NIL has to offer and avoid problems, businesses should be aware of three main legal issues that have been prevalent in NIL deals to date.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ALERT.

NIL WEBINARS. On January 24, January 27 and February 24, 2022, Schnader attorneys are presenting three timely CLE webinars about the legal framework of NIL. The programs will provide practical considerations for universities, athletes, and businesses, and will help to anticipate future developments. Click here for details and to register.