ICYMI NIL: April 15 - 19
The Players NIL
Online and in-person coaching that helps student-athletes navigate NIL opportunities and prepare for life after sports.
Welcome to ICYMI NIL - our weekly curated newsletter that provides our take on interesting stories in the world of NIL.
Let's jump into it!
Unfair Labor Complaint Filed Against Notre Dame Over Athletes
A group called The College Basketball Players Association filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board against Notre Dame "for classifying college athletes as student-athletes."
This is the latest development following a complaint filed against USC and the Dartmouth's men's basketball team voting to unionize.
Notre Dame released a statement in response to the complaint:
"Clearly, Notre Dame’s athletic programs are part of — not separate from — our broader educational mission. We will vigorously defend our approach to ensuring that being a ‘student-athlete” describes precisely the educational and developmental experience our students receive at Notre Dame.”
?? Do you agree with Notre Dame's response that athletic programs are part of, not separate from, their broader educational mission?
New Virginia Law Allows Schools to Directly Pay Athletes for NIL
Virginia lawmakers passed a bill on Thursday that allows schools to directly pay athletes for their name, image, and likeness.
"The first in any state to make it illegal for the NCAA to punish a school for compensating athletes for their NIL rights."
The law mentions that schools cannot use funds to pay for performance, but rather for marketing purposes. The law also states that "athletes should not be considered employees of their school."
It should be noted that administrators at the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech helped craft the legislation.
The new law will take effect on July 1.
?? Do you think other states will rush to adopt a similar law for their athletes?
领英推荐
DI Council Approves NIL Reforms
The NCAA DI Council adopted a new rule this week that states "member schools would be able to increase NIL-related support for student-athletes, including identifying NIL opportunities and facilitating deals between student-athletes and third parties."
Many have noted, including leading NIL thought leader Mit Winter, that this move isn't too significant, just moves the ball forward a bit more.
Essentially, schools can provide more assistance and services and help facilitate NIL deals for athletes, though only if athletes share their NIL activities on deals valued at $600 or more.
It's noteworthy that athletes are not required to "accept assistance" from the school.
?? Do you think schools should get involved in facilitating deals for their athletes?
'Super League' Pitch Day Reveals Breakaway Plan
News of the the proposed 'Super League,' the concept that would create a breakaway competition of high-level college football, has generated considerable buzz the last two weeks.
Sportico obtained a pitch deck that shares more details on the competition that would launch in 2027.
Structure: Every Power 5 school and Notre Dame would form the seven permanent 10-team divisions, while an eighth division would include a relegation system of the next best 10 schools.
NIL: A pro rata share of broadcast revenues, but a cap on individual NIL payments to athletes.
Calendar: A 14-game regular season would begin in August and end on Thanksgiving weekend, followed by a '16-team Super League Playoff."
?? Now that we have more details on the Super League, do you think it's a good proposal for big-time college football?
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Have a great weekend!