NCAA NIL Proposals, Ivy League Unfair Labor Complaint, Adidas Deals, + ICYMI | NIL Newsletter #188
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Quick Hitters:
NCAA Introduces Four New NIL Proposals
On Tuesday, the NCAA Division I Council unanimously voted to introduce four new proposals to “enhance student-athlete protections regarding their name, image, and likeness rights.”
The four proposed regulations are as follows:
Registration of NIL Service Providers
Agents and financial advisors would voluntarily register with the NCAA and be published in a centralized registry for college athletes
Disclosure and Transparency
NIL agreements exceeding a certain value (e.g., $600) would be required to be reported by college athletes to their university
Standardized Contract Terms
Possible standardized terms include: description of services, payment structure, duration, termination clauses, and an attestation that compensation is not a recruiting inducement
Student-Athlete Education
A comprehensive plan to develop and disseminate educational resources for college athletes on NIL
Unfair Labor Practice Charge Filed Against Ivy League
On Tuesday, Michael Hsu, co-founder of the College Basketball Players Association, filed an unfair labor practice complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against the Ivy League.
In the complain, Hsu asserted that it is an unfair labor practice to call college athletes “student-athletes.
“It is a misclassification,” he said. “And it’s intended to make them feel like they have no rights.”
Hsu has played a role in a number of unfair labor practice complaints in recent years, including:
A November 2021 unfair labor practice complaint against the NCAA,
A July 2023 unfair labor practice complaint against Northwestern during the hazing scandal, and
A September 2023 unfair labor practice complaint against Dartmouth following the basketball team’s petition to unionize.
Michael Penix Jr., Rome Odunze Sign with Adidas
On Tuesday, Adidas announced that Michael Penix Jr. (above left) and Rome Odunze (above right) had become the first collegiate football athletes to sign an NIL deal with Adidas.
“I couldn’t be happier to be teaming up with the adidas family, I’ve been in the three stripes my entire college career and their support has meant a lot to me. I’m excited about this unique opportunity to help further the brand and I’m appreciative of their investment in my university, my teammates, and myself,” said Michael Penix Jr.
“Michael and Rome are two of the most promising young athletes in the country right now, and we’re thrilled to welcome them to our impressive roster,” said Rupert Campbell, president of adidas North America.
Adidas has been the official uniform partner for the University of Washington since 2019.
ICYMI
Utah’s Crimson Collective is leasing a new Dodge Ram truck for each scholarship football player. Each lease is for 6-months and void if players transfer or their eligibility expires. LINK
Spartan Dawg 4 Life NIL contracts included broad termination clauses, allowing the Michigan State-focused collective to terminate those agreements legally. LINK
The Florida High School Athletic Association is expected to approve NIL deals at its next meeting. 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!