UC San Diego

On July 1, 2021, the NCAA’s board of directors officially adopted actions that suspend rules that prohibited college athletes from profiting from activities related to name, image and likeness (NIL). This is a temporary action that will remain in place until federal legislation or new NCAA rules are adopted.   

College athletes can engage in NIL activities that are consistent with the law in the state of California and can utilize a professional services provider for NIL activities. These activities provide the opportunity for scholar-athletes to engage in activities that would have previously been against NCAA rules related to amateurism.  

Helpful Links from the NCAA
NCAA NIL Policy Q&A 
Quick Guide to New Interim NCAA Policy 
New Interim Policy Key Takeaways 
Cycle of Individual Engaged in NIL Activities 
Considerations for Financial Aid Office 

Educational Videos from the NCAA
NIL Assist Educational Videos
NIL:  NCAA Overview 
NIL:  State and Federal Landscape 
NIL:  NCAA Office of Legal Affairs 
NIL:  Resources Overview 

Link to CA Senate Bill 26

Additional Educational Materials may be found by clicking here. 

  GENERAL RULE

Scholar-athletes may earn compensation for the use of their NIL. Such compensation must be commensurate with the fair market value of the authorized NIL use and may be provided in any form (e.g., cash, check, mobile payment app, product, good, service, etc.). Examples of permissible NIL activities include, but are not limited to scholar-athlete appearances, autograph signings, camps, clinics, and the promotion/endorsement of products and services. The following is prohibited under the NCAA's interim policy and may negatively impact a scholar-athlete's intercollegiate athletics eligibility: (1) NIL agreement without quid pro quo (e.g., compensation for work not performed); (2) NIL compensation contingent upon enrollment at a particular school; and (3) Compensation for athletic participation or achievement (this may enhance a scholar-athlete's NIL value, but may not be the "consideration" for NIL compensation). 

  EDUCATION

UC San Diego and the NCAA provide ongoing NIL-related education to its scholar-athletes in an effort to assist them in capitalizing on and maximizing their opportunities in a responsible and effective manner.  Scholar-Athletes can utilize NIL Assist for various different educational topics on NIL (e.g., Taxes, Investing, Agents, Trademarks & Licensing). Additionally, the Triton athletics program will continue to evaluate university and third-party partnerships that provide in-depth education and personal and professional growth opportunities for its scholar-athletes.

    DISCLOSURE

Scholar-athletes are required to disclose all NIL contracts and activity through NIL GO within five (5) days of entering into the NIL agreement.  Students looking to engage in NIL activities can register at NILGO.com.

  INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES

Use of University facilities for NIL Activities, including photo shoots and filming, are subject to University policies that may include, but are not limited to, rental agreements, licensing agreements, liability and insurance requirements. The use of athletic department facilities is prohibited without appropriate prior written authorization or agreement, which must be obtained via established policies and procedures.  Scholar-athletes may request use/rental of institutional facilities for NIL activities by clicking here. 

  INSTITUTIONAL MARKS/LOGOS AND CONTENT

Use of University or athletic department names, seals, trademarks, visual images, marks, or logos in NIL Activities are prohibited without appropriate prior written authorization or agreements, and all applicable University policies, such as, but not limited to, PPM 510-10, must be followed. Copyright protected Images provided to scholar-athletes are for personal, non-commercial use only. 

  INSTITUTIONAL MERCHANDISE/MEMORABILIA

In accordance with NCAA Bylaw 16.11.2.4, “an item received for participation in intercollegiate athletics may not be sold or exchanged or assigned for another item of value.” Therefore, scholar-athletes may not sell institutionally issued apparel, equipment, awards, etc. until they have exhausted their competition eligibility. 

  INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program is aware of and actively monitoring proposed federal and state legislation pertaining to the use of name, image and likeness for scholar-athletes. The program is working with its partners within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to review how this legislation affects international scholar-athletes. At this time, UC San Diego international scholar-athletes should not engage in any compensated NIL activities without the guidance from the International Students & Programs Office (ISPO). 

  PROHIBITED CATEGORIES

Scholar-athletes may not enter into NIL Activities that conflict with institutional and/or team contracts.  

  PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS

Scholar-athletes are permitted to use professional service providers in connection with their NIL activities.  A professional service provider is an individual who provides third-party services to a prospective or current student-athlete. It includes, but is not limited to, an agent, tax advisor, marketing consultant, attorney, brand management company or anyone who is employed or associated with such persons.

Please note NCAA Bylaw Bylaw 12.3.1 General Rule, which states that “an individual shall be ineligible for participation in an intercollegiate sport if the individual ever has agreed (orally or in writing) to be represented by an agent for the purpose of marketing athletics ability or reputation in that sport. Further, an agency contract not specifically limited in writing to a sport or particular sports shall be deemed applicable to all sports, and the individual shall be ineligible to participate in any sport.” 

  OTHER

The University of California San Diego (UCSD), including its employees and officers, may not compensate or arrange compensation to a current or prospective scholar-athlete for the use of their name, image, or likeness.  

Scholar-athletes are strongly encouraged to seek guidance and/or legal advice before engaging in NIL Activities.  

Compensation for NIL Activities may impact eligibility for Pell Grants and other need-based financial aid.  Scholar-athletes should consult with the UCSD Financial Aid and Scholarships Office.   

Athletic scholarships will not be reduced or eliminated due to NIL Activities that comply with applicable procedures, policies, and regulations. 

Individual scholar-athletes may not engage in NIL Activities during Countable Athletically Related Activities (CARA), Required Athletically Related Activities (RARA), as those terms are defined by the NCAA, or other official team activities. 

General NIL-related questions may be directed to TritonsNIL@UCSD.edu 

Click here for an updated PDF version of UC San Diego-related guidance regarding NIL activities.