Name Image Likeness (NIL) In College Sports
Abstract
The breakthrough effects of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights on American collegiate athletics are examined in this essay. It looks at the background of the NCAA's amateurism model, which prevented student-athletes from making any kind of profit off of who they were in the past, as well as the financial, cultural, and legal factors that prompted a change in policy in 2021. College athletes can now make money off of their personal brands through sponsorships, endorsements, and other activities without jeopardizing their eligibility thanks to NIL rights. My work outlines the wide-ranging effects of this alteration, such as changes in recruiting, more financial and educational options, and increased athlete independence. It also talks about the duties and difficulties that come with NIL, especially when it comes to managing contracts, long-term career planning, and the management of brands. In the end, the study makes the case that NIL has reshaped the student-athlete's role and welcomed in a new era of collegiate athletics that combines learning, entrepreneurship, and individual growth.
Year Manuscript Completed
Spring 2025
Senior Project Advisor
George Barton
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Integrated Studies Degree
Field of Study
Commerce & Leadership
Document Type
Thesis - Murray State Access only
Recommended Citation
Reed, KaVan P., "Name Image Likeness (NIL) In College Sports" (2025). Integrated Studies. 649.
https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/bis437/649