Temple preparing plan for new NIL laws
Beginning Thursday, July 1, college athletes at all levels will have the freedom to capitalize on their name, image and likeness without losing their eligibility in a policy change that is sure to alter the landscape of college athletics.
The NCAA’s policy change comes two weeks after a unanimous decision from the Supreme Court in NCAA v. Alston that included an abrasive opinion by Justice Brett Kavanaugh tearing down the NCAA’s long history of “building a money-raising enterprise on the backs of student-athletes” along with dismantling its definition, or lack thereof, of amateurism.
As for Temple student-athletes and coaches, they will be subject to following the guidance of Pennsylvania state laws, one of 25 states to pass NIL legislation. Governor Tom Wolf put pen to paper, signing Article XX-K of Senate Bill 381 into law on Wednesday.
Pennsylvania’s guidelines clarify college student-athlete refers only to individuals currently participating in intercollegiate athletics, omitting any student involved in intramural, club or any outside professional sports. The compensation must also be commensurate with the market value of the student athlete’s name, image or likeness, according to the bill.
Student athletes can officially seek representation and earn royalty payments off partnerships, endorsements or other uses of their NIL. The caveat being that it is prohibited to earn compensation from companies tied to alcohol, tobacco, electronic cigarettes, prescription drugs, gambling, adult entertainment or any other NIL-related activities that the university believes conflicts with its institutional values. To combat that, student athletes must provide seven days notice to the institution prior to entering the contract.
On the flip side, institutions are prohibited in the state of Pennsylvania from upholding any standard that may prevent student athletes from earning compensation through their NIL, nor can they arrange a third-party compensation or use a similar arrangement to lure prospective recruits. That detail varies across state lines based on differing legislation.
“Temple University is excited for its student-athletes to be able to use their NIL in accordance with state law and will provide them with education to help navigate the process,” Temple’s acting athletic director Fran Dunphy said in a statement on social media on Thursday.
Dunphy could not be reached for further comments Thursday on the changing state of NIL in college athletics.
Temple is working on finalizing its plan to best educate its student athletes on navigating these changes. That plan is expected to be released sometime next week, a Temple spokesperson told OwlScoop.com.
Programs like Rutgers and Pitt have both already established programs designed to help their student athletes take advantage of partnerships and other NIL opportunities.
Pitt’s program, titled “Forged Here,” aims to teach more about the topic of NIL and build a transparent relationship with student athletes, according to a statement from Pitt Director of Athletics Heather Lyke. The same day, Rutgers announced it would be launching “R Edge,” an educational platform partnered with Opendorse Ready aiming to help athletes maximize their brand.
Temple student athletes have already taken to social media in an effort to use their NIL for potential partnership deals, including men’s basketball forwards Jake Forrester and Arashma Parks.