NIL FOR UCA FANS
TO DISCLOSE NIL AGREEMENTS
1. PHILOSOPHY AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
With the NCAA providing guidance to allow student-athletes to be compensated for their name, image, and likeness ("NIL"), UCA Athletics is committed to providing elite educational opportunities in this area to its student-athletes to empower and prepare them to maximize their opportunity with respect to NIL, while also protecting their NCAA eligibility. UCA Athletics' will make continuous efforts to educate its student-athletes regarding NIL.
2. NCAA GUIDANCE
The NCAA has adopted guidance governing student-athletes' NIL activities (the "NCAA Rules"). The NCAA rules provide that a student-athlete is prohibited from (1) receiving pay-for-play and (2) receiving an improper recruiting inducement. More information is on the NCAA website
here.
UCA Athletics and our student-athletes must follow the NCAA Rules and this UCA Athletics policy; student-athletes, UCA Athletics staff, or other third parties should consult with the UCA Athletics Office of Compliance Services regarding the NCAA Rules and this policy prior to engaging in NIL activities that involve UCA student-athletes.
3. NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS ACTIVITIES
Subject to the NCAA rules, the State of Arkansas, and this UCA Athletics policy, UCA student-athletes may use their NIL in a variety of ways that may include, but is not limited to, promoting their own business, promoting or endorsing a corporate entity (e.g., a brand ambassador or social media influencer); conducting camps, lessons or clinics; making appearances; or signing autographs. UCA student-athletes may receive compensation, either in-kind or monetarily, for engaging in NIL activities. UCA student-athletes may engage in NIL activities and receive corresponding compensation from University donors or sponsors so long as the compensation is for the NIL activity and is not a recruiting inducement or an inducement to remain enrolled at UCA.
4. USE OF AGENTS OR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
UCA student-athletes are encouraged to obtain professional advice to assist them with NIL activities. The use of an agent, as defined by NCAA bylaws, may only be used for NIL activities. Any agent must be registered to do business in the state of Arkansas and register with UCA Athletics Office of Compliance Services. UCA Athletics encourages its student-athletes to thoroughly vet any such agents or advisors prior to working with them, as UCA Athletics will not be responsible for any agreement or contractual obligation, whether with an agent or other third party.
5. USE OF UNIVERSITY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Student-athletes are not permitted to use UCA's intellectual property, including its trademarks, logos, or symbols, to either implicitly or expressly endorse a third party or product without the prior written approval of UCA's Office of Licensing and Trademarks. Student-athletes may autograph and sell officially licensed memorabilia that includes University marks. Per NCAA rules, student-athletes may not sell products provided by UCA Athletics or awards received for intercollegiate athletic participation while they are a student-athlete.
6. TEAM ACTIVITIES AND ACADEMIC OBLIGATIONS
Student-athletes cannot engage in NIL activities during the course of team activities, which include competitions, practices, and team gatherings and meetings. Student-athletes also must not allow NIL activities to interfere with their academic obligations.
7. FACILITY USE
Student-athletes may, subject to availability and subject to the terms of a facility use agreement, use UCA Athletics' facilities to conduct camps, clinics, or lessons if the student-athlete pays the standard facility rental rate. Consistent with Section 5 above, student-athletes may not use UCA facilities in such a manner that creates the impression – either express or implied - that UCA expressly or indirectly endorses a third party or product, unless prior written approval is obtained from UCA's Office of Licensing and Trademarks.
8. RESTRICTED CATEGORIES
Student-athletes must not use their NIL to promote gambling, alcohol products, tobacco products, adult entertainment, substances banned by the NCAA, or products or services that are illegal. Any brand that would be in conflict with existing university contracts would be prohibited as well.
9. DISCLOSURE OF NIL ACTIVITIES
In the course of their education and participation at UCA, student-athletes must disclose any NIL activities to UCA Athletics through the NIL Disclosure Form within ten (10) days following the activity. UCA Athletics highly recommends that student-athletes complete the NIL Disclosure Form prior to the NIL activity whenever possible so that the Office of Compliance Services can ensure the activity does not jeopardize the student-athlete's eligibility.
TO DISCLOSE NIL AGREEMENTS
10. FINANCIAL AID
Student-athletes should be aware that receiving compensation for NIL activities could have an impact on their financial aid, especially for those receiving Pell Grants. Student-athletes are encouraged to consult with the UCA Athletics Office of Compliance Services to fully understand these potential impacts.
11. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT-ATHLETES
International student-athletes should discuss how receiving compensation may impact their VISA status with the UCA Office of International Engagement and the UCA Athletics Compliance Office prior to engaging in NIL activities.
For more information click
here (PDF).
