Name, Image, & Likeness (NIL) Information & Resources
NCAA student-athletes may receive compensation for the use of the individual’s name, image and likeness (NIL), which may be secured or compensated based, in whole or in part, on athletics skill or reputation. All ECU student-athletes are required to follow ECU Athletics, NCAA, state, and federal guidelines as it relates to NIL.
- Per NCAA rules, NIL activities may not be used to compensate an individual for athletics participation or achievement (e.g. payment for each touchdown scored, payment for making an all-conference team, etc.).
For additional information and resources, reference below.
Keep in mind, NIL rules and policies are continuously changing. Never hesitate to reach out to the Athletics Compliance Office at AthleticsCompliance@ecu.edu if there are any questions.
What is an NIL compensation activity?
Keep in mind, NIL rules and policies are continuously changing. Never hesitate to reach out to the Athletics Compliance Office at AthleticsCompliance@ecu.edu if there are any questions.
What is an NIL compensation activity?
- NIL consists of three elements that make up a legal concept known as “right of publicity”. It is an activity that involves the use of an individual’s (i.e., a prospective or current student-athlete’s) name, image, or likeness (NIL) for commercial or promotional purposes.
- Examples include: Personal Appearances; Speaking Engagements; Autographs; Owning a Personal Business; Promotion of a Product/Service/Business; Brand Ambassador (Social Media Influencer); Operating a Camp/Clinic; and Sale of Merchandise.
Required NIL Disclosure Process for All Student-Athletes
- If a student-athlete has an NIL deal of $600 or more with a third-party (an individual or entity other than our school) he/she needs to report it at NILGo.com. The student-athlete must use ECU student email address.
- A student-athlete shall submit written documentation to NIL Go within five business days of execution of a noninstitutional NIL contract or agreement to payment terms.
- NIL Go Overview Resource (link to attached PDF)
- Student-athletes can also find out more and get support by visiting the resource Center or chat function at NILGo.com.
- An institutional representative shall report institutional NIL payments through the benefits cap management system. These are non-third party deals.
For Student-Athletes:
- ECU Student-Athlete NIL Quick Guide – Available in Your Teamworks Account
- International Student-Athletes - NAFSA NIL Statement
- International student-athletes should not enter into an NIL contract without confirmation from ECU Global Affairs and the Athletics Compliance Office. Doing so may affect your VISA status, and ability to obtain future VISAs.
- Teamworks - Additional student-athlete NIL educational resources can be found in Teamworks > Files > SABRE Program.
- INFLCR – A platform used for NIL social media strategy education, branding and photo/content sharing.
- NIL Education for Student-Athletes - Includes educational resources/videos regarding contracts, finance, intellectual property, personal branding, agents, social media, and taxes.
For Donors, Fans, & Businesses:
- A donor/fan/business may qualify as an “associated entity” or “associated individual”. An associated entity or individual shall not enter into an NIL agreement with or provide payment to a prospective student-athlete or student-athlete unless the agreement or payment terms has been approved through the NIL Clearinghouse, NIL Go. NIL Go will determine if the NIL deal has a valid business purpose related to the promotion or endorsement of goods or services provided to the general public for profit and that range of compensation for the terms is paid to similarly situated individuals with comparable NIL value who are not prospective student-athletes or student-athletes of the institution.
- A donor, fan, or business may contact a student-athlete directly or a student-athlete (or his/her NIL agent) may reach out to them.
- If interested in pitching an NIL compensation activity to a student-athlete, feel free to contact the compliance office at AthleticsCompliance@ecu.edu or the student-athlete directly.
For Prospective Student-Athletes (PSAs):
ECU NIL Programming: SABRE – Student-Athlete Brand Resource Education Program
PSAs are subject to all other NCAA amateurism/agent rules and their state/high school policies involving NIL.
It is recommended that PSAs consult with their state high school athletics association regarding questions pertaining to high school eligibility.
For NIL Agents:
A student-athlete may use professional services, including agent representation, for the purpose of name, image and likeness activities. Business arrangements related to representation for purposes of name, image and likeness activities (e.g., travel expenses associated with meeting) shall be consistent with arrangements between the professional service provider and other prospective or current clients and align with industry standards.
The North Carolina Uniform Athlete Agents Acts requires that any individual acting as an athlete agent in North Carolina, unless exempted, be registered with the Athlete Agent Registration Office.
All agents, advisors, and representatives thereof are required to register with the East Carolina Department of Athletics prior to contacting student-athletes or any other individual affiliated therewith regarding possible future representation.
- For more information, review the ECU Agents/Advisors site.
