On August 2, 2023, the NCAA Division I Board of Directors held a virtual meeting and directed the Division I Council to develop proposals aimed at improving the environment for student-athletes participating in name, image, and likeness (NIL) activities in college sports. This direction comes after the Division I Council Working Group on NIL conducted in-person stakeholder meetings, where they received valuable feedback from administrators and student-athletes with firsthand experience in NIL activity.

The goal is to support student-athletes in benefiting from their NIL while also ensuring increased transparency and appropriate safeguards. The working group’s dedication to hearing and incorporating input from student-athletes during the Indianapolis meeting has been inspiring, showing their commitment to inclusivity and fairness.

The proposals to be presented in October will include developing a registration process for NIL service providers and entities, creating standardized contract terms to provide essential information for student-athletes, and establishing disclosure requirements for transparency in NIL activities. These efforts aim to assist student-athletes in understanding NIL contracts and maximizing their opportunities safely.

Moreover, the working group has been tasked with developing recommendations to address concerns in recruiting and clarifying the role of schools regarding student-athlete NIL. While some aspects require congressional action, the NCAA is taking proactive steps to improve outcomes for student-athletes and provide clarity in this dynamic space.

The progress made by Division I members over the past two years has better equipped them to take more permanent steps with NIL-specific rules. This approach will not only benefit NCAA schools but also empower student-athletes to pursue their NIL opportunities with confidence and clarity.