Background: NIL stands for "name, image, and likeness" and refers to the rights of college athletes to earn money from their personal brand while remaining amateur athletes.
The NCAA has long regulated changes to college sports and has not allowed student-athletes to earn money from their college time, but in 2014, former UCLA basketball player Ed O'Bannon won a lawsuit against the NCAA that changed this. O'Bannon argued that college athletes should be paid for the use of their name and image in video games, and the lawsuit began a debate about whether college athletes should be paid.
After the lawsuit, the NCAA and federal law began to change to account for the new decree. In 2021, new NCAA rules and state laws went into effect that allow college athletes to earn money through endorsement deals, social media, and personal business ventures. NIL has become a recruiting tool and a way for athletes to get paid without being considered professional athletes. However, some critics have raised concerns that NIL could lead to a pay-to-play era and hidden dangers.
NIL at Princeton: The University will not provide a student-athlete with compensation or royalties related to University, Conference or NCAA use of the student-athlete’s name, image, or likeness for advertising, marketing, or promotional purposes or event broadcasts, etc.
Student-athlete NIL activity may not be related to brands in conflict with exclusive University contracts (e.g., Nike).
Student-athlete NIL activity may not be related to use of University and Athletics marks, logos or other intellectual property, including but not limited to verbiage or owned and protected designs, i.e. uniforms.
Student-athletes may not utilize athletic facilities to conduct NIL activities.
Student-Athletes may not miss class (or other mandatory academic activities), team or athletics department activities to engage in NIL related activities.
Student-Athletes may not receive NIL compensation that conflicts with any provision of this policy, Athletic Department policies or rules, or team policies and rules.