NCAA Legislative Proposals, Coach Cal, OU Walk-Ons, + ICYMI | NIL Newsletter #194
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Quick Hitters:
NCAA Legislative Proposals on NIL
As mentioned in Monday’s Newsletter, the NCAA released legislative proposals to be voted on at the 2024 NCAA convention. If passed, these proposals would become official NCAA bylaws, rather than the interim policies that currently stand.
Pertinent NIL Proposals include:
Name, Image, and Likeness Compensation — allowing individuals to be compensated for the use of their NIL, provided it is not dependent on athletic participation or achievement.
Name, Image, and Likeness Activity — must include a quid pro quo and be independent of enrollment and achievement.
Disclosure — athletes must disclose NIL agreements to universities within 30 days of entering. Failure to disclose on time results in ineligibility until disclosed.
Recruiting — recruits must disclose all NIL activities before an institution may provide a written offer.
Education — a comprehensive, but unspecified education plan to be provided by the NCAA to athletes, which will include standardized contract terms for athletes to use.
Coach Cal Calls for NIL “Guardrails”
At SEC Media Day, Kentucky Coach John Calipari stressed his support for college athletes’ ability to earn money from their NIL, while calling for firmer guidelines.
“I think young people, they deserved to share in what's happening,” Calipari said. “They deserve [to make money from] their name on the back of their jersey, their signature, their autograph. They deserve that. It's kind of gone beyond that now and it's different.”
Calipari shared that he would support disclosures from schools and athletes on earnings from NIL contracts.
While some athletes arrive with deals and agents in hand, those that don’t put “pressure” on Coach Cal and the University, leading to his call for greater direction from the NCAA.
Former OU Walk-On Provides NIL to Current OU Walk-Ons
Chris Hammons, who began his college football career as a walk-on at Oklahoma, before earning a scholarship, being named co-captain, and winning a national championship in 2000, gave back to those in his old position with the team last week.
Through his Oklahoma City based law firm, Hammons committed to providing NIL deals to all current Sooner walk-ons.
“Chris Hammons coming back and just bringing some light to the walk-ons and just helping us out financially, it’s been a huge blessing,” walk-on wide receiver Major Melson said. “I’m really appreciative of it.”
A video of Hammons’ speech to the team is available HERE.
ICYMI
Temple created an NIL co-op to work as a “think tank” for college athletes. LINK
Texas State announced a multi-team NIL deal with First Lockhart National Bank. LINK
Brenden Rice signed a deal with Breathe Right nasal strips, just like his father, Jerry. LINK
Iowa’s Caitlin Clark signed with Excel Sports Management for representation. LINK
Have you checked out OSC’s website?
Head to www.OptimumSportsConsulting.com to find important resources and features relating to all things NIL. These resources include State by State Resources for Admins, Agents and Athletes, including our initial “OSC Summaries” for over a dozen states coming soon.
More to come too, including links to helpful state information- agency laws and information about school policies, as well as seminar/congressional notes, worksheets, and much more!