Blueprint Sports Press

Blueprint Sports Welcomes Vanessa Marinelli as National Director of Events

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:39:42 GMT

LAS VEGAS & ATLANTA (July 22, 2025) – Blueprint Sports , the leading NIL sales, data and marketing agency with over 60 collegiate partners, today announced Vanessa Marinelli as its new national Director of Events. A seasoned sports event expert and former Division I volleyball player, Marinelli brings extensive experience in large event productions and sports partnerships to her role on Blueprint Sports’ national team, where she will lead the planning and execution of major national events and local fan community activations.

Marinelli’s hire underscores Blueprint Sports’ commitment to delivering industry-leading resources that help athletic departments drive NIL revenue through events, also creating meaningful opportunities for their student-athletes to engage with fans, brands, and businesses that elevate their NIL value.

“I’m thrilled to join Blueprint Sports and help shape the future of NIL,” said Marinelli. “It’s one of the most dynamic and fast-moving areas in college athletics, full of creativity, innovation, and opportunity. There’s real momentum in the event space right now, and a unique chance to build experiences that genuinely connect with athletes and brands in meaningful ways. I’m excited to be part of a team that values creativity, strategy, and high-level execution, and ready to help raise the bar on what these events can truly look and feel like.”

Prior to joining Blueprint Sports, Marinelli oversaw tour operations for the U.S. Pro Beach Volleyball League, where she directed logistics and brand integrations across multiple high-profile markets. She holds a Master's in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown University and a Bachelor's in Kinesiology from James Madison University. Her background bridges both the athlete and executive perspectives, positioning her to design impactful, athlete-centric experiences at the forefront of the NIL era.

“Vanessa will play a vital role in shaping experiences that drive value for athletes, brands, and partner institutions alike,” said Rob Sine, CEO of Blueprint Sports. “She brings an extraordinary blend of athlete experience, operational excellence, and creative energy to our leadership team. As NIL continues to evolve, having someone with her expertise leading our events strategy ensures we’re not just keeping pace, but setting the standard.”

For more information, visit  blueprintsports.com .

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About Blueprint Sports 

With over 65 athletic department partners, Blueprint Sports is the largest in-house tech and services NIL agency for athletic departments across the country. Blueprint Sports has raised and facilitated over $135 million in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings for NCAA student-athletes since 2021. We navigate the complexities of modern college athletics and NIL to provide next-generation, scalable services to Power Four and mid-major athletic departments and conferences across Division I and Division II.

For more information, visit  blueprintsports.com  or its pages on  Facebook ,  Instagram ,  LinkedIn , and  X . 

Media Contacts

Marina Bain

Senior Director of Communications, Blueprint Sports

marina@blueprintsports.com

Blueprint Sports: New NIL Guidance Is a Step Forward for Fairness and Functionality

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 16:51:58 GMT

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

marina@blueprintsports.com

Maryland Athletics Names New Executive Director of One Maryland; Extends Partnership with Blueprint Sports

Mon, 05 May 2025 14:15:00 GMT

COLLEGE PARK, MD – Maryland Athletics and Blueprint Sports have named Mandy Allendorfer the new executive director of One Maryland , the official NIL (name, image, and likeness) entity supporting Terp student-athletes. Allendorfer will lead the Terps’ efforts in the new era of NIL partnerships, events, and media opportunities for all Maryland student-athletes across 20 sports. The parties also announced a multi-year partnership extension that establishes Blueprint Sports as the internal NIL marketing agency for Maryland Athletics, helping solidify the Terps’ position as a leader in the hyper-competitive NIL marketing and sponsorship space.

Allendorfer assumes the new role after serving as the Director of Collegiate Partnerships for Athletes First, an NFL agency representing elite players, coaches, personnel and broadcasters, where she represented, among others, former Terp quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. Prior to that, Allendorfer worked for 18 years for super-agent Scott Boras at the Boras Corporation as the Director of Strategic Marketing and Collegiate Partnerships and other roles. Allendorfer is herself a former Terp student-athlete, competing in softball from 2000-03, with a career batting average of .429 and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

“It is the professional and personal honor of a lifetime to return to Maryland in this new role, just as the University deepens its partnership with Blueprint Sports,” said Allendorfer. “As a former Terp student-athlete, this opportunity is deeply personal. I'm passionate about creating pathways for our athletes to thrive on the field, in the classroom, and now in building their personal brands. Together, we'll ensure Maryland is at the forefront of NIL innovation and athlete empowerment.”

“We are building a best-in-class NIL ecosystem here at Maryland,” said Brian Ullmann, Deputy Athletics Director. “We are excited to extend our partnership with Blueprint and are thrilled to bring Mandy back into the Maryland family. Her hire is a home run.”

“We are proud to extend our partnership with Maryland Athletics and its outstanding leadership team,” said Rob Sine, CEO of Blueprint Sports. “From the start, Maryland has demonstrated such forward-thinking leadership in the NIL space, and we’re excited to continue that momentum with Mandy at the helm. Maryland exemplifies the kind of creative, data-driven athletic department we strive to support as we shape the future of collegiate athletics through innovative NIL data and revenue solutions.”

Since 2023, One Maryland has acted as the athletic department’s primary collective, offering NIL opportunities for the more than 500 student-athletes who proudly wear red, white, black, and gold. One Maryland is managed by Blueprint Sports, the industry-leading agency for in-house Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) technology and services, supporting more than 65 athletic departments nationwide.

For questions, to work with an amazing Maryland student-athlete or to learn about corporate partnership opportunities, visit onemarylandnil.com or contact the One Maryland staff at info@onemarylandnil.com .

Link to Mandy’s feature from umterps.com:

https://umterps.com/news/2021/9/15/terrapin-club-impact-of-a-scholarship-mandy-allendorfer

About Blueprint Sports

About One Maryland

One Maryland is the official Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) entity for University of Maryland student-athletes. Fans, sponsors and community members who commit their support to One Maryland are pledging to maximize opportunities for student-athletes to build their brand, earn compensation, and maximize their potential. In addition, One Maryland supporters, sponsors and members gain access to exclusive events, autograph sessions, merchandise, and more. One Maryland is powered by industry-leader Blueprint Sports , the largest internal tech and services NIL agency for athletic departments across the country. For more information visit onemarylandnil.com and follow @OneMarylandNIL on Facebook , Instagram , X and LinkedIn .

# # #

Media Contacts:

Jason Yellin

Maryland Athletics, Associate Athletics Director, Strategic Communications

jyellin@umd.edu

C: 443-597-9902

Marina Bain

Blueprint Sports, Senior Director of Communications

marina@blueprintsports.com

Link to Mandy’s feature from umterps.com:

https://umterps.com/news/2021/9/15/terrapin-club-impact-of-a-scholarship-mandy-allendorfer

Blueprint Sports Introduces College Athletics Veteran Layne Werner as New Vice President of Client Partnerships

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 17:23:22 GMT

LAS VEGAS (March 7, 2025) – Blueprint Sports , the leading Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agency with 70 collegiate partners, announces Layne Werner as its new Vice President of Client Partnerships. Layne has a strong background in marketing and sales, having led multi-media rights (MMR) teams with Playfly and Learfield at LSU and Drexel University. Renowned for her problem-solving and communication skills, she has a proven track record of driving revenue and building relationships in key markets.

“I am incredibly excited to join Blueprint Sports, a company truly committed to empowering student-athletes and athletic departments,” said Werner. “With college athletics evolving at an unprecedented pace, it’s inspiring to be part of a forward-thinking team that’s setting the standard for how NIL should operate to benefit all stakeholders. I look forward to leveraging my experience to forge strong partnerships, drive revenue, and create meaningful opportunities for student-athletes and our partners.”

In her new role, Werner will spearhead client engagement strategies for Blueprint Sports partners on the West Coast. She will focus on maximizing partners' value and cultivating long-term relationships that fuel sustainable success. Her appointment underscores the company’s commitment to assembling a powerhouse leadership team dedicated to advancing NIL opportunities for student-athletes, universities, and stakeholders nationwide.

“We are excited to welcome Layne to Blueprint Sports,” said Rob Sine, CEO. “Her expertise and strategic thinking are essential for improving our partnerships and sustaining our leadership as the top NIL services agency in college athletics. Her insight into campus dynamics and ability to forge strong relationships with athletic administration will benefit our partners greatly.”

For more information, visit  blueprintsports.com .

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About Blueprint Sports 

Blueprint Sports  is a tech-enabled, “software and a service” agency that has facilitated over $135 million in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings for NCAA student-athletes since 2021. We navigate the complexities of modern college athletics with NIL to provide next-generation, scalable services to Power Four and Mid-Major Athletic Departments and Conferences across Division I and Division II. Our platform includes comprehensive NIL revenue share and student-athlete roster strategy and management, proven strategies for generating NIL commercial revenue, and fan engagement and monetization.

For more information, visit  blueprintsports.com  or its pages on  Facebook ,  Instagram , , and  X . 

Media Contacts

Marina Bain

Senior Director of Communications, Blueprint Sports

marina@blueprintsports.com

Blueprint Sports to acquire Student Athlete NIL

zoe@hbh.studio (Zoe Maggio) — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:09:37 GMT

Blueprint Sports has acquired Student Athlete NIL (SANIL), Blueprint CEO Rob Sine told On3 on Wednesday morning. The two major NIL collective operating companies will now merge and operate 70 collectives that delivered over $108 million in payments in 2024.

The move comes as schools prepare for revenue sharing to begin on July 1. Schools will be able to share $20.5 million in Year One of rev sharing if the House v. NCAA settlement is approved this spring.

“I firmly believe, and we were making a big bet with this, that in-house agencies are going to continue to exist,” Sine told On3. “We’re in the process of signing several, multi-year deals with Power Four clients. We believe we’re going to be a seat at the table to help the schools as they navigate through this, whether it’s making payments for them, but it’s about the additive revenue that these budgets are probably going to need, above and beyond what the rev share is going to dictate.”

The conversations about a possible merger have been in the works since August, Sine said. SANIL and Blueprint have a strong Group of Five presence and will work with 15 Power Four schools. The initial focus will be on college basketball with so many mid-major programs.

SANIL founder Jason Belzer stepped down from his advisory role with the company to pursue other opportunities in January. He stepped down as SANIL’s CEO in July.

“What we’ve done in the last four years is what the multimedia rights industry has done over the last 50 which has become a valued partner to athletic departments,” Sine said. “We’ve been able to speed up what has taken them a long time. What it now is, is what else can we do? How else can we be of service to the athletic departments and the conferences? How do we be nimble?

“This may turn into who knows what in the next few years, but at the end of the day, it’s about making sure that we have a seat at the table, and we can help from a revenue standpoint, and we can drive this.”

Read the full article here .

Blueprint Sports acquires Student Athlete NIL

zoe@hbh.studio (Zoe Maggio) — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 21:05:07 GMT

SANIL founder Jason Belzer stepped down from his advisory role with the company to pursue other opportunities in January. He stepped down as SANIL’s CEO in July.

Read the full article here

Blueprint Sports Transforms College Athletics Landscape with Strategic Acquisition of SANIL, Establishing a $100M+ NIL Powerhouse Agency

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 16:25:26 GMT

Blueprint Sports Transforms College Athletics Landscape with Strategic Acquisition of SANIL, Establishing a $100M+ NIL Powerhouse Agency

The acquisition establishes the most comprehensive NIL technology, data, and revenue services agency in college sports, supporting over 25,000 student-athletes and 70 athletic department partners.

Las Vegas, NV & Atlanta, GA – [February 19, 2025] – Blueprint Sports , the leading agency of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) services for collegiate athletic departments and student-athletes in the country, today announced its acquisition of SANIL, another early pioneer in the NIL landscape. In 2024 alone, the two agencies raised and delivered over $108 million in NIL payments to student-athletes across 70 collegiate athletic departments, highlighting their success in creating an effective “in-house” NIL revenue and management solution.

This strategic acquisition positions Blueprint Sports as a leading NIL force in transforming collegiate athletics. It provides dedicated on-campus revenue-generating NIL personnel with enterprise-grade digital solutions that generate new commercial fan revenue, ensure compliance, and reveal actionable insights through advanced analytics on fans and student-athletes. The timing aligns with anticipated regulatory changes resulting from the potential House vs. NCAA settlement, permitting athletic departments and conferences to establish internal NIL agencies to capitalize on emerging commercial opportunities with industry leaders like Blueprint Sports.

“This is about the future of college athletics and further establishes Blueprint Sports as a key partner for athletic departments and conferences as they bring in and implement modern solutions to find new revenue for their student-athletes through NIL,” said Rob Sine, CEO of Blueprint Sports. “Both companies have experienced tremendous transformations to remain agile over the past four years. The new leadership team that SANIL has assembled in the last eight months and their substantial investment in technology made this acquisition an exciting opportunity for us. This move will enable us to unify the brightest minds and offer the most innovative solutions and top-tier NIL and data services to generate revenue and empower the next generation of college athletic departments and conferences.”

“We have transformed from a transactional NIL-only vendor to a tech-enabled, data-driven business that solves challenges for our athletic department partners,” said Chris Brown, former SANIL CEO and newly appointed COO for Blueprint Sports. “This acquisition merges both companies' proven NIL and data solutions to create the most advanced technology and services platform in collegiate sports. Our ‘software and a service’ model and enterprise-grade infrastructure enable athletic departments to accelerate new NIL revenue growth with our on-campus team, leverage data insights, and be well-positioned for long-term success with NIL."

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

Power Four Athletic Departments:

Enterprise-grade technology platform to manage revenue sharing and NIL programming
Dedicated on-campus revenue-generating NIL personnel and implementation support
Expanded national corporate partnership network for NIL
Comprehensive NIL compensation data to maximize roster and player allocations
Real-time NIL financial tracking and transparent payment solutions
Comprehensive fan engagement and monetization platform

Mid-Major Athletic Departments:

Enterprise-grade technology platform to manage revenue sharing and NIL programming
Dedicated national NIL revenue-generating personnel and implementation support
Comprehensive NIL compensation data to maximize roster and player allocations
Data-driven insights for strategic NIL decision-making
Comprehensive fan engagement and monetization platform

“Our partners want to win championships for their student-athletes, supporters, and partners,” said Rob Sine. “Together, we offer a powerful solution that empowers Athletic Directors and their coaches to strive towards that goal every year.”

For more information, visit blueprintsports.com or its pages on Facebook , Instagram , Linkedin , and X .

About Blueprint Sports

Blueprint Sports is a tech-enabled, “software and a service” agency that has facilitated over $135 million in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings for NCAA student-athletes since 2021. We navigate the complexities of modern college athletics with NIL to provide next-generation, scalable services to Power Four and Mid-Major Athletic Departments and Conferences across Division I and Division II. Our platform includes comprehensive NIL revenue share and student-athlete roster strategy and management, proven strategies for generating NIL commercial revenue, and fan engagement and monetization.

For more information, visit blueprintsports.com or its pages on Facebook , Instagram , Linkedin , and X .

Media Contact

Marina Bain

Senior Director of Communications – Blueprint Sports

marina@blueprintsports.com

Happy Valley United Launches New App for Penn State Fans to Connect, Earn Rewards, and Support Nittany Lion Athletes

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 15:00:00 GMT

State College, PA — [January 7, 2025] — Happy Valley United, the premier NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) collective supporting Penn State student-athletes, is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new mobile app, designed to keep fans connected to Penn State Athletics like never before, while offering exclusive content, interactive features, and the opportunity to earn rewards for supporting their favorite Nittany Lion athletes.

Fans can now download the Happy Valley United app, powered by The Membership Co’s CrowdCOLLECTIVE platform, on both Android and Apple devices to stay up-to-date on the latest news surrounding Penn State Athletics and HVU, including behind-the-scenes access to Nittany Lion athletes. The Happy Valley United app features daily games, a dynamic social media wall, an HVU member forum for discussion, and much more. It’s the ultimate way to engage with the community and support the student-athletes who make Penn State Athletics a national powerhouse.

A standout feature of the HVU app, and all apps developed by The Membership Co, is the rewards program, where fans can earn points for nearly every action within the app. Whether you’re interacting with exclusive content, participating in games, or simply engaging with other fans, the more you do, the more points you earn. These points can be redeemed for exciting rewards and exclusive access to events, making every interaction a win for both fans and athletes.

Special Launch Promotion

To celebrate the launch of the app, HVU is offering an exclusive giveaway for all new users. Everyone who downloads the app will be entered to win an exclusive Axia Time Penn State CFP Watch and Collector’s Case, personally signed by Coach James Franklin . Additionally, all entrants will receive a code for  $10 off  any purchase of Happy Valley United merchandise, giving fans a perfect opportunity to show their Nittany Lion pride while supporting Penn State athletes.

This is an exciting time to join the HVU community as Penn State prepares to face Notre Dame in the  CFP semifinals this week. Fans can stay engaged, support the team, and help drive championship-caliber play while making a tangible difference in the lives of student-athletes.

“Whether you're cheering on the Nittany Lions in the biggest games, chatting with fellow fans about your favorite teams, participating in our Penn State-themed challenges for points, or getting an exclusive look into the lives of our athletes, the HVU app is the best way to stay connected,” said Rich Stankewicz, Director of Operations for Happy Valley United. “We’re thrilled to offer our fans a new way to support Penn State athletes, earn rewards, and help our athletes thrive.”

Download the  Happy Valley United app  now to get started:

Google Play Store

Apple App Store

Fans are encouraged to download the app and join the HVU community today to support the Nittany Lions as they continue their pursuit of history, greatness, and championships.

About Happy Valley United:

Happy Valley United (HVU) is the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) collective dedicated to supporting all 31 Penn State athletic teams and over 830 student-athletes. Through HVU, fans, alumni, and supporters contribute to providing Penn State student-athletes with opportunities to build their personal brands while ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed. Through a combination of fundraising initiatives, partnerships, and events, Happy Valley United works to elevate the Nittany Lions’ success while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of athletes. You can get involved by making a one-time donation, joining as a member, or exploring corporate sponsorships. HVU is powered by Blueprint Sports. To learn more about NIL opportunities with Penn State student-athletes, visit happyvalleyunited.com and follow @happyvalleyutd on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

About The Membership Co:

The Membership Co is a full service membership agency that aims to create meaningful communities to amplify fan and member engagement and drive additional revenue. Through cutting-edge technology solutions, white-label app development, website creation, brand development, merchandise design/fulfillment, e-commerce integration and membership/customer operations, The Membership Co provides exceptional membership experience and revenue generation for NIL collectives, sports teams, fan clubs, and organizations in any vertical or any audience. Reach out to Collin Wolff at collin@themembershipco.com for more details.

Media Contacts

Happy Valley United

Marina Bain – Sr Director of Communications, Blueprint Sports

marina@blueprintsports.com

The Membership Co.

Collin Wolff – Director of Growth, The Membership Co.

collin@themembershipco.com

US Athletes On College Football Playoff Teams Are Earning Large Amounts of NIL Money

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 14:46:00 GMT

The NIL market is expected to be worth around $1.7 Billion in the 2024-2025 season according to Opendorse. $1.1 billion of that is going to college football. Men’s basketball players earned around $389 million. Women’s basketball players received around $75 million. Olympic athletes have generated around $134 million dollars.

The money making began back in July 2021, when the Supreme Court ruled the NCAA could not prevent student athletes from profiting by their name, image and likeness. Since the decision, the legal fights have continued between the NCAA and state legislatures.

"It's been really interesting to watch the competitive balance between the states," Rob Sine said, CEO of Blueprint Sports. "Tennessee is more aggressive, Florida wants to get more aggressive, and then Texas wants to get more aggressive. More state laws are passed and repealed and then passed again."

Blueprint Sports oversees several high-profile collectives across the country. Boosters, individual donors and businesses often choose to fund collectives which then pay athletes for appearances or endorsements. The groups are estimated to control around 80% of the NIL Market.

"The schools are already spread so thin. So, for a professional services unit, they're happy to know that, hey, we'll put staff on campus, that will represent them and the student athletes," Sine said. "The collective as a marketing agency, we’ll handle all the operations, we’ll provide that third party arm for athletic departments where we can do negotiations with agents, we can do negotiations with athletes we can handle if an athlete enters the transfer portal, terminating the contract, or things like that."

Blueprint Sports oversees collectives from across the country, including NC State’s One Pack NIL, Colorado’s 5430 Alliance, Pennsylvania’s Happy Valley United and Arkansas’ Arkansas Edge.

"Pennsylvania has different rules than Arkansas does or than North Carolina does," Sine said. "The NCAA guidelines are there to be exactly what is, set guidelines. Then you have to follow the state law in certain areas."

The first guidance from the NCAA in 2021 aligned with the Supreme Court decision. Athletes could be paid if state law allowed. The rules did attempt to prevent schools from using NIL money to recruit athletes.

"It was a lot easier," Sen. Tommy Tuberville R-Ala. said referencing how NIL laws have changed the recruiting process in recent years. "There's really no recruiting now. It's buying. It's totally different."

Before Tuberville was elected to the senate, he coached at Ole Miss, Auburn, Texas Tech and Cincinnati. He has since co-sponsored NIL legislation alongside Sen. Joe Manchin I-W.V. He plans to reintroduce or modify the Protecting Athletes, Schools and Sports Act (PASS Act) alongside a democrat in the next congress.

"In football and basketball, it's whoever's got the most money," Tuberville said.

California signed the first state NIL law in 2019. Several others began to follow suit. Eventually, legislatures began passing laws to circumvent NCAA guidance, to allow NIL money to be used for recruiting.

"Over the years, the money's gotten higher and higher and the student athletes are going, wait a minute, you know, why don't we get some of that money? Why don't we share in the revenue?" Tuberville said.

Tuberville says collectives have too much influence and that legislation like the PASS Act would help level the playing field. But collectives disagree.

"I don't think the federal government is the way to do it. I think it creates a whole lot more complications," Sine said. "I've watched those hearings before and there's not a lot of direction and bright ideas coming out of it. There's been a lot of drafts of bills. I think it'll be hard for them to get anything passed."

Not all university officials believe the federal government should stay out of the NIL debate.

"This is a free market economy. We live in the greatest country in the world. And I think it's great that our student athletes are now finally being able to be compensated for what they're worth But we need national standards in college sports. Every coach needs to know that when that ball gets tipped off, we're all playing by the same rules. And right now, we're not," Auburn Men’s Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl said.

Initial laws in Alabama and South Carolina reflected NCAA guidance that prevented using NIL money for recruitment. Other states began to pass laws that strayed from that guidance and allowed loopholes for third party donors to promise money for potential student athletes. That prompted the NCAA to shift its stance. In 2022, the Division 1 Board of Directors clarified that schools could request donors to provide funds for collectives, as long as those were not directed to a specific sport or athlete.

"Back in the day it was about graduation rates, or it was about, can you help me get to the NBA? Are we going to win championships? What's the culture of the program like? Those things were more important to parents," Pearl said. "Now it's become way more transactional. What is my market value? How much will I get if I go to that school? And of course, everybody's playing with a different budget right now. And that's what makes it somewhat unfair."

The updated NCAA guidance prompted Alabama and South Carolina to repeal initial NIL laws. Both states determined that other schools had more opportunities to recruit better players.

"It did give us a little bit more freedom," Pearl sad. "We'd like for conferences and the people that are guiding our programs to be able to be empowered. Right now, everything goes to the courts. They lose every lawsuit."

Texas passed its legislation in 2023, which strayed from NCAA guidance in allowing donations for specific sports. The law also permits perks and benefits for fans who donate to NIL collectives. A clause also made it illegal for the NCAA to punish a school for taking full advantage of NIL.

"A lot of people began to find a gray area. And so, donors or other organizations around the country were looking at this going, okay, well we're going to raise, instead of $100,000, we're going to raise $2 million or we're going to raise $20 million and we're going to really begin to build this and create a very competitive advantage because nobody's telling us we can't," Sine said.

New transfer portal rules have increased competition to find better players and pay out more money. A couple of months before the Supreme Court issued its NIL decision, the NCAA updated its transfer portal policy, allowing Division I athletes a on-time opportunity to transfer and compete immediately.

Originally, an athlete could transfer schools, but needed to sit out a year before playing, unless granted a waiver by the NCAA. In 2024, the association updated its guidance to allow for unlimited transfers as long as the athletes met certain academic eligibility requirements.

"Marshall University's football team, almost every one of them transferred. They had to drop out of a bowl game," Tuberville said. "Their coach left and they followed them."

Marshall was set to face Army in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. Instead, dozens of Marshall athletes entered the transfer portal. Army will now face Louisiana Tech instead.

"I understand families being in a situation where they may never make more money than they're making right now. And so that's what they're being guided by. We're teaching kids to flee, not fight."

UNLV Quarterback Matthew Sluka announced in September he would enter the transfer portal for a second time in his college career. Sluka’s agent said a $100,000 NIL payment was never fulfilled after he agreed to transfer to UNLV.

"Graduation rates have been destroyed because the combination of NIL and the transfer portal working together, these guys are free agents," Pearl sad. "In some cases the money can be significant."

State laws also differ on who can represent student athletes. In 2019, the Uniform Law Commission recommended states adopt the Uniform Athletes Agents Act. It allowed student athletes to hire agents with the intent of protecting them from unfair practices. At least 39 states have adopted the law but it has no mention of NIL. Some legislatures have added agent clauses to state laws.

"Players have agents, they have lawyers, they have accountants. That's what we fought against for many, many years. Don't sign with agents. Keep them out of your life. But college football, college sports have grown."

The NCAA will now allow universities to pay players directly, in addition to what they are already receiving through scholarships and third-party payments. Each school has a cap of up to $20.5 million across all sports. Schools are already directing most of that to football programs.

"We're going to lose a lot of football programs, basketball programs and women's sports if we don't come up with some kind of solution. The NCAA has got to work with us," Tuberville said. "There's really not a lot of answers when you got so many hands in the pie and everybody wants it their way."

Bret Baier currently serves as FOX News Channel's (FNC) anchor and executive editor of Special Report with Bret Baier (weeknights at 6-7PM/ET), chief political anchor of the network and co-anchor of the network’s election coverage. Baier is also host of FOX News Audio's "The Bret Baier Podcast" which includes Common Ground and The All-Star Panel. He joined FNC in 1998 as the first reporter in the Atlanta bureau and is now based in Washington, D.C.

Read the full article here

How Name, Image and Likeness Laws Have Changed College Sports

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 14:37:00 GMT