In accordance with the
NCAA policy and
Illinois State Law, Concordia University Chicago supports its student-athletes receiving compensation for the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL) from sources outside the University, as long as the guidelines listed below are followed.
If you do not follow the policies in place by CUC, penalties may be imposed by the NCAA or CUC. This could impact your ability to continue participating in intercollegiate athletics.
General Provisions:
Student-athletes' use and monetization of name, image and likeness involves a wide range of activities. This includes,but is not limited to:
- Commercials or advertisements for products or services
- The development and promotion of their own business
- Personal appearances
- Student-athletes running their own camps or clinics
- Providing private lessons while using their own name, image and likeness to promote the lessons
- Sponsored social media posts
- Autograph sessions
There are no limits on the amount of income a student-athlete may earn through name, image and likeness activities provided any compensation is for work actually performed.
Prohibited NIL Activities:
- Pay-for-Play/Recruiting Inducements: Student-athletes may not receive any compensation under conditions or contingent upon enrolling at CUC, continuing at CUC, or based on athletic performance, recognition or achievement.
- Institutional/Booster Involvement: CUC may not create or arrange for NIL opportunities for its student-athletes.
- Conflicting Agreements: Student-athletes may not enter into an agreement with a third-party that conflicts with an existing CUC sponsorship without permission from the University.
- Types of Promotions: Illinois state law prohibits student-athletes from engaging in any NIL activities that promote or endorse tobacco, alcohol, illegal substances, controlled substances, cannabis, alternative or electronic nicotine products or delivery system, performance-enhancing supplements, gambling, sports betting, adult entertainment, or any other product or service considered inconsistent with CUC's mission or negatively impacts or reflects adversely on CUC.
- Use of Facilities: Student-athletes may not use institutional facilities for NIL activities.
- Use of CUC Logos: Student-athletes may not use CUC uniforms, logos, trademarks or other products without express written consent from the University.
- Length of Contract: A contract for the use of a student-athlete's NIL cannot commence until the student-athlete begins enrollment and may not extend beyond the exhaustion of eligibility in their sport.
- Timing of Promotions: Student-athletes may not miss class time, academic obligations or team required activities for any NIL activities.
Additional Considerations:
- International student-athletes should seek guidance to understand the impact, if there are any, of NIL activity on their Visa status.
- NIL activity compensation is typically considered taxable income. As such, student-athletes should consult with an appropriate tax professional about the implications of compensation earned. Additionally, any income changes for a student-athlete can affect their eligibility for need-based financial aid, both federally and institutionally granted.
Please Note:
- Student-athletes must inform Janet Wolbert, Director of Athletics, of any name, image and likeness activities at least seven (7) calendar days prior to entering into an agreement for the proposed activity.
Professional Advisors:
Student-athletes may retain and use the services of professional advisors to assist them in their name, image and likeness activities, such as marketing agents, tax advisors, legal advisors, etc. Student-athletes must pay the normal costs and fees associated with such services.
Concordia University Chicago will not provide these services. The University will also not be responsible for any costs associated with these services, except those that are available to all students at the institution, which student-athletes are eligible to use in the same manner as any other student.
