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Name, Image, and Likeness Information

Effective July 1, 2021, the NCAA no longer restricts student-athletes from earning compensation from the commercial use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). An overview of the University of Missouri NIL policy can be accessed by CLICKING HERE. This page provides additional information for specific groups.

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NIL Information for University of Missouri Boosters

The NCAA recently changed its rules to permit student-athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness ("NIL"), including to promote commercial businesses. The following FAQ has been developed to assist TSF members in understanding the requirements to compensate a Mizzou student-athlete for NIL activities.

  • Q: What is name, image, and likeness (NIL) and how are the NCAA rules changing?
  • A: NIL refers to a student-athlete earning compensation in exchange for the use their name or picture to promote a commercial business. Previously, the NCAA prohibited student-athletes from earning compensation in this manner (ex. A student-athlete couldn't appear in local car dealership commercial). As of July 1, 2021, the NCAA permits a student-athlete to earn compensation in exchange for participating in NIL activities. NIL activities may include, but are not limited to: social media endorsements, commercials, appearances, autograph signings, and other business activities. Additionally, in May 2021 the Missouri Legislature passed a law protecting a student-athletes right to earn compensation from NIL activities. The state law became effective on August 28, 2021.

  • Q: Can a Mizzou Coach or TSF provide me a student-athlete's contact information for NIL purposes?
  • A: No. Missouri state law prohibits all University employees from compensating or causing compensation to be directed to a student-athlete, a prospective student-athlete, or their family members for NIL activities. While it is permissible for a booster to compensate a student-athlete for NIL activities, University employees may not be involved in arranging NIL activities.

  • Q: Can a booster arrange for a student-athlete to promote a business I own or work at?
  • A: Yes, as long as University staff member is not involved in arranging for the promotion, it is permissible for a booster to contract with a student-athlete for NIL activities. Student-athletes are required to disclose all NIL activities to the Athletic Compliance Office before they occur.

  • Q: Can a booster provide a student-athlete with non-cash compensation (free meal, discount, etc.) for a permissible NIL activity?
  • A: Yes, in-kind compensation is permissible, provided the student-athlete has completed the promotion and disclosed the agreement to the University. It remains impermissible to provide payment of any kind to a student-athlete for work not performed.

  • Q: Can a booster pay a student-athlete to attend my child's birthday party and sign autographs?
  • A: Yes, appearances and autograph sessions are permissible NIL activities, provided the student-athlete has disclosed the activity to the University.

  • Q: Can a booster provide NIL compensation to a high school recruit so they will attend Mizzou?
  • A: No. Any compensation provided as an inducement to attend Mizzou remains impermissible. Prospective student-athletes may not engage in NIL activities until they officially enroll at Mizzou.

  • Q: Are there other restrictions on NIL Activities?
  • A: Yes. A businesses agreement with a student-athlete cannot conflict with the University's Code of Conduct, or contracts between the University and another third-party. Student-athletes (or the company involved in the promotion) cannot use University of Missouri's protected logos, trademarks, or phrases without proper licensing. Content created by the University (e.g., game photos or video) also cannot be used for commercial purposes without proper licensing. Licensing Information is available at: http://www.mutigers.com/MSP and http://licensing.missouri.edu. Finally, student-athletes cannot participate in NIL activities during official team activities.

When dealing with NCAA rules and student-athlete eligibility, there are many caveats and exceptions. It is recommended all boosters contact the Athletics Compliance Office (MIZCompliance@Missouri.edu) to review any questions related to NIL activities prior to the activity.

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NIL Information for Businesses

The NCAA recently changed its rules to permit student-athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness ("NIL"), including to promote commercial businesses. The following FAQ has been developed to assist businesses in understanding the requirements to compensate a Mizzou student-athlete for NIL activities.

  • Q: What is NIL and how are the NCAA rules changing?
  • A: NIL refers to a student-athlete earning compensation in exchange for the use their name or picture to promote a commercial business. Previously, the NCAA prohibited student-athletes from earning compensation in this manner (ex. A student-athlete couldn't appear in local car dealership commercial). As of July 1, 2021, the NCAA permits a student-athlete to earn compensation in exchange for participating in NIL activities. NIL activities may include, but are not limited to: social media endorsements, commercials, appearances, autograph signings, and other business activities. Additionally, in May 2021 the Missouri Legislature passed a law protecting a student-athletes right to earn compensation from NIL activities. The state law became effective on August 28, 2021.

  • Q: Can a Mizzou Coach or staff member provide me a student-athlete's contact information for NIL purposes?
  • A: No. Missouri state law prohibits all University employees from compensating or causing compensation to be directed to a student-athlete, a prospective student-athlete, or their family members for NIL activities. Businesses interested in hiring a Mizzou student-athlete for NIL purposes should contact the student-athlete directly, or register for an endorsement marketplace.

  • Q: Can I pay a student-athlete to promote my business?
  • A: Yes, as long as University staff member is not involved in arranging for the promotion, a student-athlete may be paid to promote your business. Student-athletes are required to disclose all NIL activities to the Athletic Compliance Office before they occur.

  • Q: Can I provide a student-athlete with non-cash compensation (free meal, discount, etc.) for a permissible NIL activity?
  • A: Yes, in-kind compensation is permissible, provided the student-athlete has completed the promotion and disclosed the agreement to the University. It remains impermissible to provide payment of any kind to a student-athlete for work not performed.

  • Q: Can I provide NIL compensation to a high school recruit so they will attend Mizzou?
  • A: No. Any compensation provided as an inducement to attend Mizzou remains impermissible.

  • Q: Are there other restrictions on NIL Activities?
  • A: Yes. A businesses agreement with a student-athlete cannot conflict with the University's Code of Conduct, or contracts between the University and another third-party. Student-athletes (or the company involved in the promotion) cannot use University of Missouri's protected logos, trademarks, or phrases without proper licensing. Content created by the University (e.g., game photos or video) also cannot be used for commercial purposes without proper licensing. Licensing Information is available at: http://www.mutigers.com/MSP and http://licensing.missouri.edu. Finally, student-athletes cannot participate in NIL activities during official team activities. Finally, student-athletes cannot participate in NIL activities during official team activities.

When dealing with NCAA rules and student-athlete eligibility, there are many caveats and exceptions. It is recommended local businesses contact the Athletics Compliance Office (MIZCompliance@Missouri.edu) to review any questions related to NIL activities prior to the activity.

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Information for University of Missouri Employees

The NCAA recently changed its rules to permit student-athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness ("NIL"), including to promote commercial businesses. The following FAQ has been developed to assist University of Missouri employees in understanding the limitations on their involvement with NIL activities.

  • Q: What is NIL and how are the NCAA rules changing?
  • A: NIL refers to a student-athlete earning compensation in exchange for the use of their name or picture to promote a commercial business. Previously, the NCAA prohibited student-athletes from earning compensation in this manner (ex. A student-athlete couldn't appear in a commercial). As of July 1, 2021, the NCAA permits a student-athlete to earn compensation in exchange for participating in NIL activities. NIL activities may include, but are not limited to: social media endorsements, commercials, appearances, autograph signings, and other business activities. Additionally, in May 2021, the Missouri Legislature passed a law protecting a student-athletes right to earn compensation from NIL activities. The state law became effective on August 28, 2021.

  • Q: Can a University of Missouri employee hire a Mizzou student-athlete for NIL activities?
  • A: No. Missouri state law states a University employee "shall not compensate or cause compensation to be directed to a student athlete, a prospective student athlete, or the family of such individuals" for NIL activities.

  • Q: Does this rule apply only to Athletic Department Employees?
  • A: No. Missouri state law applies to any university officer, director, or employee, including professors (tenure and adjunct), and University staff (both full- and part-time).

  • Q: Can a University of Missouri employee hire a Mizzou student-athlete for NIL activities for a company they own outside of their University of Missouri employment?
  • A: No, Missouri state law prohibits any university officer, director, or employee from compensating or causing compensation to be directed to a student-athlete, their family member, or associated corporate entity, regardless of the source of the compensation.

  • Q: I have a prior-existing relationship with a Mizzou student-athlete (started before their enrollment at Mizzou). Am I able to support their NIL activities?
  • A: No. Although a prior-existing relationship may allow you to provide specific benefits to a Mizzou student-athlete within NCAA rules, Missouri state law does not permit you to compensate the student-athlete for NIL activities. If you believe you have a prior-existing relationship with a Mizzou student-athlete, please contact the Athletics Compliance Office (MIZCompliance@Missouri.edu).

  • Q: Can I purchase a student-athlete's product they are selling (ex. T-shirts with the student's name)?
  • A: No. Purchasing a product sold by a Mizzou student-athlete would violate Missouri state law as it is compensating a Mizzou student-athlete.

  • Q: Can I provide NIL compensation to a high school recruit so they will attend Mizzou?
  • A: No. Any compensation provided as an inducement to attend Mizzou remains impermissible, regardless of your employment at Mizzou.

When dealing with NCAA rules and student-athlete eligibility, there are many caveats and exceptions. It is recommended all University of Missouri employees contact the Athletics Compliance Office (MIZCompliance@Missouri.edu) to review any questions related to NIL activities prior to the activity.

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NIL Information for Agents

For NIL purposes only, student-athletes are permitted to utilize the services of an agent or attorney, provided they are licensed in the State of Missouri. Agents are not permitted to represent student-athletes for professional sports contracts without negatively impacting a student-athletes eligibility.

Registration

The Missouri Uniform Athlete Agent Act requires anyone contacting a student-athlete to represent the student-athlete for purposes of negotiating or soliciting endorsement contracts be registered as an Athlete Agent.

Those interested in representing Mizzou student-athletes for NIL activities must first register and be approved by the Missouri Department of Professional Registration. More information on state registration at https://pr.mo.gov/athleteagents.

In addition to registering with the State of Missouri, all agents wanting to work with Mizzou student-athletes must be registered with the University of Missouri Professional Sports Counseling Panel. The registration form is available at https://questionnaires.armssoftware.com/fce51ad11a51.

Notification Requirements

Within 72 hours of an agreement being signed by a student-athlete and an agent (or prior to the next competition, whichever is sooner), both parties are required to notify the athletics department. Student-athletes should disclose the agreement through the Opendorse App. Agents should notify the athletics department by emailing MIZCompliance@Missouri.edu.

Contract Requirements

A contract between a student-athlete and an agent must state or contain:

  1. The amount and method of calculating the consideration to be paid by the student-athlete for services to be provided by the Athlete Agent under the contract and any other consideration the athlete agent has received or will receive from any other source for entering into the contract or for providing the services;
  2. The name of any person not listed in the application for registration or renewal who will be compensated because the student-athlete signed the agency contract;
  3. A description of any expenses that the student-athlete agrees to reimburse;
  4. A description of the services to be provided to the student-athlete;
  5. The duration of the contract; and
  6. The date of execution.

A contract that does not include this information is voidable by the student-athlete.

Please contact the Athletics Compliance Office (MIZCompliance@Missouri.edu) to review any questions related to agents and NIL activities.

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