🔗 Historic New NIL Legislation

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed an NIL bill into law on Thursday that allows schools in Virginia to directly pay student-athletes for their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL).

Starting July 1, it will be illegal for the NCAA to punish a Virginia school for compensating athletes for NIL rights.

Currently, the NCAA prohibits schools from signing NIL deals directly with their own student-athletes.

This led to the creation of NIL collectives, separate entities that act in the school’s interest, and in turn pay players for their NIL.

Collectives will be able to work more closely with the schools themselves in regard to player compensation, removing the gray area that existed between schools and NIL collectives.

The impact of this law on College Athletics will be substantial.

Beginning this summer, schools in Virginia will have more freedom in pursuing compensation for student-athletes, allowing universities like Virginia Tech, Virginia, James Madison and others to have a huge advantage on the recruiting trail until further notice.

Last December, NCAA president Charlie Baker proposed potential rules changes stipulating that all schools should be able to pay athletes via NIL deals as part of a plan to update NIL policies.

In order for any rules changes to take effect, voting members of Division I athletics need to vote on the measures.