NCAA Announces Interim Student-Athlete Image, Likeness Policy

The NCAA announced Wednesday that beginning Thursday, July 1, student-athletes across all three divisions will have the opportunity to financially benefit from their name, image and likeness.

Governance bodies across all three divisions of the NCAA adopted a uniform interim policy Wednesday that suspends NCAA name, image and likeness rules for all incoming and current student-athletes in all sports.

“This is an important day for college athletes since they all are now able to take advantage of name, image and likeness opportunities,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a statement. “With the variety of state laws adopted across the country, we will continue to work with Congress to develop a solution that will provide clarity on a national level. The current environment — both legal and legislative — prevents us from providing a more permanent solution and the level of detail student-athletes deserve.”

The policy provides the following guidance to college athletes, recruits, their families and member schools:

• Individuals can engage in NIL activities that are consistent with the law of the state where the school is located. Colleges and universities are responsible for determining whether those activities are consistent with state law.
• College athletes who attend a school in a state without an NIL law can engage in this type of activity without violating NCAA rules related to name, image and likeness.
• Individuals can use a professional services provider for NIL activities.
• Student-athletes should report NIL activities consistent with state law or school and conference requirements to their school.

The interim policy will remain in place until federal legislation or new NCAA rules are adopted.

“The new interim policy provides college athletes and their families some sense of clarity around name, image and likeness, but we are committed to doing more,” NCAA Division III Presidents Council chair Fayneese Miller said. “We need to continue working with Congress for a more permanent solution.”