Name, Images, Likeness Guidelines

Guidelines for Name, Image, Likeness
  • Student-athletes may earn compensation for their name, image, and likeness. Such compensation must be within fair market value.
  • The University of South Florida, the Athletic Department, staff members or boosters may not compensate or arrange compensation to a current or prospective intercollegiate athlete for her or his name, image, likeness.
    • A booster is, in part, defined as an individual, independent agency, corporate entity (e.g., apparel or equipment manufacturer) or other organization who is known (or who should have been known) by a member of the institution’s executive or athletics administration to have participated in or to be a member of an agency or organization promoting the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program or to assist or to have assisted in providing benefits to enrolled student-athletes or their family members.
  • Compensation may not be provided in exchange for athletic performance or attendance at the University of South Florida.
  • NCAA rules preclude boosters from engaging in recruiting activities, including recruiting conversations, on behalf of a school. Further, NCAA recruiting rules preclude boosters from providing benefits to PSAs and preclude institutional staff members from being involved, directly or indirectly, with the provision of benefits to a PSA. Finally, it is important to note that existing NCAA prohibitions related to pay-for-play
Guidance Related to Current Student-Athletes
  • An NIL agreement between a SA and a booster/NIL entity may not be guaranteed or promised contingent on initial or continuing enrollment at a particular institution.
  • NIL agreements must be based on an independent, case-by-case analysis of the value that each athlete brings to an NIL agreement as opposed to providing compensation or incentives for enrollment decisions (e.g., signing a letter of intent or transferring), athletic performance (e.g., points scored, minutes played, winning a contest), achievement (e.g., starting position, award winner) or membership on a team.
  • The expectation is that NIL compensation opportunities will not conflict with academic or team related activities.
  • Student Athletes will only be allowed to use University or Athletic Department related marks and logos, green and gold color scheme, team or player photographs and videos, any and all aspects of the uniform, including but not limited to, team colors, designs, and player numbers, if those rights have been secured through a written agreement granting specific rights from the University or written permission from the University. Contact Kim Hill, USF’s Chief Marketing Officer, to receive written permission. This includes posts and hashtags on social media when endorsing a product or service under NIL agreements.
  • Student-athletes are not permitted to sell, autograph, exchange for anything of value, or provide to anyone their apparel, shoes, gear or equipment that was issued by USF (e.g. jerseys, gloves, workout shorts and shirts, practice and competition shoes, helmets, bats, sticks, balls, warmups, etc.).
  • Student-athletes will not be permitted to enter into NIL agreements with gambling/sports wagering vendors or any vendors associated with athletic performance enhancing drugs.
  • Student-athletes must disclose within four days of any NIL agreements to the athletic department. This is not an approval process but a component of the Florida state law.
  • The duration of a contract for representation of student-athlete or compensation for the use of Name, Image and Likeness may not extend beyond participation in athletic program at institution.
  • An athlete agent representing a student-athlete for purposes of securing compensation for her or his name, image, likeness, or persona must be licensed in the State of Florida.
  • An attorney representing a student-athlete for purposes of securing compensation for her or his name, image, likeness, or persona must be a member in good standing of The Florida Bar.
  • A student-athlete under the age of 18 years must have any contract for compensation for her or his name, image, likeness, or persona approved under state statutes 743.08 and 743.09. 
Frequently Asked Questions
  • Can Booster owned or companies they are employed by provide compensation for a student- athletes Name, Image and Likeness?
    • Yes, as long as not directed or arranged by the University, athletic department, coaches or staff.
  • When will contracts be required to be disclosed to the athletic department?
    • Within five days of NIL agreement through the INFLCR App.
  • Will my Pell Grant or need based financial aid be impacted by NIL?
    • Yes, it could be impacted based on compensation from Name, Image and Likeness. Those questions should be directed to the University of South Florida’s Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.
  • Will having an athlete agent who represents the student-athlete beyond Name, Image and Likeness be a NCAA compliance and eligibility issue?
    • Yes.
  • Can I go to a car dealer and sign autographs and be compensated?
    • Yes, if you do the following things:
      • Report the activity via INFLCR
      • No athletic department coach, staff member or booster arranged it
      • No use of USF marks or logos without agreement from the University
  • Can I enter an agreement with my apartment complex for NIL compensation?
    • Yes, if you do the following things:
      • Report the activity via INFLCR
      • No athletic department coach, staff member or booster arranged it
      • No use of USF marks or logos without agreement from the University
  • Can I start my own YouTube Channel and benefit financially?
    • Yes, if you do the following things:
      • Report the activity via INFLCR
      • No use of USF marks or logos without agreement from the University.

NIL Useful Links