Congress wants ‘national standard’ for college NIL deals

Now that the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era is here in college athletics, allowing players to profit off their play with endorsement deals, members of Congress want to set national standards.

In the two years that NIL sponsorships have been allowed, there are gray areas that have arisen that are exploitable.

Members of Congress want to implement a national standard for college players and businesses to abide by to keep an even playing field.

A recent story from WPXI.com detailed how Congress’s desire to step in and create national standards for college player NIL deals.

Below is an excerpt from the WPXI.com story.

“The lack of uniformity across different states and different institutions has created confusion and uncertainty and a federal standard is needed so all athletes are playing by the same rules,” said Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), during a House subcommittee hearing last week.

“College sports have generated enormous wealth but that wealth has not been uniformly distributed,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). “Those most responsible for the creation of that wealth, the players, have yet to receive their fair share of the pie.”

Lawmakers heard from Trey Burton, a former NFL player and former college athlete.

“We are now seeing athletes not only being able to profit off their name, image and likeness, but also off business ventures, endorsement deals and marketing opportunities which I ten years ago never had the chance to do,” said Burton.

Burton urged Congress to establish a clear set of rules for colleges to follow, no matter how big or small the school or program.

“We have an opportunity with NIL to ensure that the business deals benefit student athletes rather than harm them or set them up poorly in the long run,” said Burton.

Lawmakers heard firsthand testimony about how the Supreme Court NIL ruling is already benefitting college players.

“As an Olympic sport athlete on a partial scholarship, NIL has been extremely beneficial to me because I’m able to help pay for my tuition to hopefully come out college with little debt,” said Kaley Mudge, a Florida State University softball player.

College athletics representatives urged Congress to also require transparency with any NIL legislation.

To read the full story from WPXI.com, click here.