BLUEPRINT SPORTS PRESS
Blueprint Sports: New NIL Guidance Is a Step Forward for Fairness and Functionality
July 31, 2025
July 31, 2025 — Blueprint Sports, alongside more than 50 NIL collectives nationwide, today issued a statement in support of the College Sports Commission’s (CSC) revised guidance on the “Valid Business Purpose” (VBP) standard under NCAA Bylaw 22.1.3.
The updated guidance, released earlier today, establishes a clearer and actionable set of criteria for NIL agreements between student-athletes and associated entities. By affirming that NIL agreements must be tied to the promotion or endorsement of goods or services sold to the general public for profit, the CSC has created a framework that not only supports compliance but also enables innovation and growth in the NIL space.
“By focusing on real commercial activity (selling goods and services to the public for profit), the CSC has created a framework that supports cooperation while encouraging innovation,” said Rob Sine, Chief Executive Officer of Blueprint Sports. “This clarity is essential for collectives, institutions, and student-athletes alike.”
The revised guidance also signals a renewed commitment to fairness and efficiency, as the CSC will now reassess previously stalled or declined NIL proposals under the updated criteria. Blueprint Sports believes this will help reduce administrative delays and restore confidence in the NIL Clearinghouse process.
“This is a positive step forward for college athletes across all sports,” said Sine. “The revised guidance provides additional clarity and fairness to the NIL process, potentially ensuring that student-athletes, especially those in Olympic and non-revenue sports, can access opportunities to earn compensation for their name, image, and likeness.”
Blueprint Sports also emphasized that while the revised guidance is a welcome development, the conversation around its interpretation and implementation is far from over. “We recognize that the definition of a ‘valid business purpose’ will continue to evolve, and debates will persist across the broader industry,” said Sine. “We will continue to monitor this guidance closely and remain committed to ongoing collaboration and compliance to ensure swift, fair, and consistent approval of NIL opportunities for student-athletes.”
Media Contact
Marina Bain
Senior Director of Communications – Blueprint Sports
