Name, Image, & Likeness
Effective July 1, 2021, the NCAA rules allow student-athletes to be compensated for the use of their names, images, or likelinesses. The NCAA's interim NIL policy, adopted on June 30, 2021, requires member institutions to follow their own state laws or create their own policies. This deregulated area (previously addressed largely by the NCAA Bylaw 12.5 promotional activity legislation) will likely be in place until student-athlete NIL rights are addressed through nationally applicable federal law or NCAA Legislation.
Until such time, the NIL policy for VCU student-athletes can be found by clicking here.
NCAA Prohibitions
Institutions and their representatives (fans, boosters, etc.) cannot use NIL regulations to circumvent NCAA Bylaws 13 (Recruiting) or 16 (Awards & Benefits). In other words, NIL deals cannot be used to induce prospective student-athletes to attend VCU or compensate student-athletes for athletics performance. So, among other things, pay for NIL activities must be commensurate with the going rate for similar services.
NIL Activities Disclosure
A student-athlete shall disclose all NIL activieis, including information related to transactions, compensation, arrangements and datailes of relationships with an involved individual, commercial entity and third partieis (e.g., contact information, indentication of role) through the VCU Athletics interim disclosure process. The disclosure must be approved by VCU Compliance. If arrangements and details of an NIL Activity are amended, the student-athlete shall provide updates within seven days of the change. Absent disclosure, VCU is unable to assist a student-athlete with eligibility implications that may result from violation of current or future NCAA rules, state, or federal law.
Here is the step-by-step disclosure process:
