Narrator Sandbox NIL

Buffs with a Brand is a collaboration between the Office of Compliance Services and Scripps Leadership & Career Development Program.

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"Name, Image, and Likeness" or "NIL" is an umbrella term that the NCAA uses to refer to student-athletes' rights of publicity. Per Colorado law, student-athletes may now earn compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness without harming their intercollegiate eligibility or athletics scholarship.

This can include publicity activities like personal appearances, autograph sessions, a monetized YouTube channel, and hosting camp as well as transactional activities like endorsement and sponsorship agreements and social media influencer activities.

Important considerations for CU student-athletes:

Colorado law requires a student-athlete to disclose their NIL-related agreements and activities to the Office of Compliance Services within 72 hours of signing the deal or before their next scheduled competition, whichever occurs first
Student-athletes may not enter into a contract that conflicts with an existing institutional contract
Just like any other business entity, a student-athlete must go through the official processes to use CU intellectual property or rent event spaces
CU-issued gear, apparel, and equipment remains property of the University until a student-athlete exhausts their athletic eligibility
Per Colorado law, student-athletes may contract with a non-relative "professional representative" or "legal representative" (who must be a licensed attorney) to help them market themselves, arrange partnerships, facilitate relationships with brands, review contracts, etc.
- The NCAA rule prohibiting student-athletes from signing with an athletic agent in efforts to secure a professional sports contract remains in effect: student-athletes may only receive representation related to their NIL activities
All international students (not just student-athletes) are restricted in the type of employment activities they are allowed to engage in per their Student Visas; these students are responsible for making sure any employment/compensation activities do not violate immigration regulations
Sport-specific governing bodies (like the USGA) have their own amateurism rules that are not currently negated by state law

NCAA NIL Policy Questions & Answers

Buffs with a Brand, part of the Scripps Leadership & Career Development Program, is our comprehensive development program to educate and support our student-athletes as they explore NIL opportunities. Buffs with a Brand will provide programming throughout the school year focusing on brand management, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and legislation.

CU has partnered with INFLCR Verified, a content and brand building platform with NIL-specific features and education. INFLCR Vertified is also what CU student-athletes use to self-report their agreements and activities.

Student-athletes: to set up your INFLCR Verified account, learn how to make your state-mandated disclosures, and join our educational programming to capitalize on your NIL potential, please email Abbey Shea and Lauren Unrein to get started with Buffs with a Brand!

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