Name, Image, & Likeness

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) passed Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) legislation in 2020 as an amendment to its Amateur Code. This legislation allows student-athletes to benefit financially from their athletic careers without violating their amateur status. 

NIL opportunities include:
  • Endorsement deals
  • Compensation for their brand
  • Earning money
  • Promoting commercial products
  • Promoting enterprises
  • Public or media appearances
  • Referring to their intercollegiate athletic participation in promotions or appearances
  • Wearing or representing their NAIA school in promotions 
Some acts do not cause an athlete to lose amateur standing, such as:
  • Participating in radio or television programs for the purpose of promoting an amateur athletic event
  • Receiving reasonable compensation for supervision of physical education, playground or recreational activities 
NAIA schools require student-athletes to disclose NIL activities at least seven days before entering into an agreement. Failure to disclose may result in penalties, including:
  • A warning or reprimand
  • Withholding the student from future competitions
  • Determining if the student has lost their amateur status
**Student-athletes may not participate in NIL opportunities, or any other activity deemed inappropriate by NAIA, Soka University, or the SokaUniversity Athletics Department standards. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action(s). International student-athletes must first have a conversation with the Soka University Athletics Department regarding eligibility and compliance before entering into an NIL agreement. Some compensation from NIL opportunities may have a negative effect on their visa or immigration status.

Below are the guidelines for NIL use. Failure to comply with the policies below can result in penalties from the NAIA or Soka Athletics that can potentially impact your ability to continue competing in athletics at the collegiate level.

GENERAL GUIDELINES
Use of NIL for monetization includes many things included but not limited to:
  • Personal appearances
  • Autograph sessions
  • Sponsored social media posts
  • Providing private lessons and using your NIL to promote them
  • Running your own camps or clinics
  • Developing and promoting their own business
  • Traditional commercials or advertisements for products or services
Provided that compensation is for work performed there is no limit on the amount of income you may earn through NIL actions
 
NAIA BYLAW VII SECTION B ACTS PERMITTED BY NAIA AMATEUR CODE
8. Receiving compensation for use of name, image or likeness to promote any commercial product or enterprise, or public or media appearance. It is the responsibility of the student-athlete to notify their institution’s athletics director in writing of any compensation the student receives from the use of their name, image or likeness in relation to their school or status as a student-athlete.

DISCLOSURE
  • Any NIL activities must be disclosed at least seven days prior to entering into an agreement for the activity
  • Failure to do so may result in an institutional self-report violation, to be reviewed by the National Coordinating committee. The committee is empowered to review such violations and apply penalties as necessary, including but not limited to a warning or reprimand to the student-athlete, withholding the student from future competitions, and/or determining if the student has lost his or her amateur status.
WHAT IS NOT ALLOWED WITH NIL
  • Use of Facilities: Facilities of Soka University may not be used for NIL
  • Use of Logos: Soka Athletics logos, trademarks, uniforms or other products may not be used without written consent from the Soka Athletics department.
  • Timing: You may not miss class time, academic obligations or team required events for NIL
  • Institutional/Booster Involvement: Soka Universtity Athletics may not create or arrange for NIL opportunities
  • Conflicting agreement: Without permission from Soka Athletics you may not enter an agreement with a third party that conflicts with an existing Soka University Athletics sponsor
  • Length: Use of NIL can not begin until enrollment and may not extend beyond the end of eligibility in your sport at Soka University
  • Pay-for-Play/Recruiting: Compensation may not be based upon enrolling at Soka, continuing at Soka or based on athletic performance, recognition or achievements
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
  • Compensation for NIL is often considered taxable income. Consult with a tax professional about the tax implications of income earned from NIL. Income changes can affect eligibility for need-based financial aid from both federal and institution granted
  • International student-athletes should seek guidance and understand the potential impact on VISA status as a result of NIL
ADVISORS
A professional advisor such as marketing agents, tax advisors, or legal advisors to assist in NIL actions are allowed but normal costs and fees associated must be paid by the student-athlete.

SUBMIT NIL DISCLOSURE FORM TO SOKA ATHLETICS

NAIA NIL INFORMATION

NAIA NIL INFORMATION (INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS)

NAIA NIL MARKETPLACE

SUBMIT YOUR NIL DEAL TO THE NAIA

OPENDORSE