Effective July 1, 2021, the NCAA now allows student-athletes to profit from their name, image, or likeness. Information specific to NCAA policies surrounding NIL activities can be found on the NCAA website by clicking the button below.
NIL Policies
Below are policies related to Name, Image and Likeness activities. The following guidelines apply to student-athletes upon enrollment at the University of South Carolina.
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NCAA Guidelines
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University of South Carolina Guidelines
South Carolina law S. 685 – “Intercollegiate Athletes’ Compensation for Name, Image, or Likeness” is currently suspended. The following University of South Carolina guidelines will govern all NIL activities of University of South Carolina student-athletes.
The following guidelines apply to student-athletes upon enrollment at the University of South Carolina.
NIL Activities
Student-athletes at the University of South Carolina may earn compensation for their name, image, or likeness. These activities include but are not limited to autograph signings, personal appearances, social media endorsements, camps/clinics, private lessons, and promoting a commercial product or service.
Student-athletes may not participate in NIL activities that take place during official team activities or conflict with a student athletes’ academic obligations. NIL activities may occur during free time as designated by the team’s official travel or practice itinerary or academic schedule.
Definitions
Official Team Activities: activities relating to practices, competitions, games, exhibitions, scrimmages, institutional athletic media appearances, university sponsored camps, team meetings, team travel, interviews, or any sponsored university function being attended by the team
Academic Obligations: student-athlete obligations referring to class, tutors, exams or any other required academic responsibilities as deemed required by the university Athletic boosters may create or facilitate NIL compensation opportunities to current and prospective student-athletes provided those deals are not used as a recruiting inducement or inducement to remain enrolled for current student-athletes at University of South Carolina.
Only designated staff members may be involved in your NIL Activities (designated staff members shall not include coaches). Staff members that are not designated to participate in NIL activities must direct all inquiries to the designated staff members.
Student-athletes should disclose all NIL activities prior to the activity occurring through the University’s designated system – INFLCR. Failure to disclose an NIL activity in advance could result in eligibility consequences.
Compensation/Financial Aid
A student-athlete’s scholarship awarded by the University of South Carolina is not considered compensation and may not be revoked or reduced because of a permissible NIL agreement.
A student-athlete’s compensation earned may be used in the calculation for need-based financial aid available to the general student population based on federal guidelines, and therefore, could impact the amount of need-based aid a student-athletes is awarded.
International Student-Athletes
Due to federal guidelines, student-athletes attending the University of South Carolina on an F-1 visa are encouraged to contact International Student Services prior to participating in any name, image, likeness activities.
Use of Intellectual Property
Student-athletes may use University of South Carolina intellectual property only with prior written approval of the University of South Carolina Athletics Department. Student-athletes may autograph and sell officially licensed memorabilia that includes University marks that is purchased by the student-athletes from official licensees.
The University of South Carolina retains all rights to content produced or published by the University or associated entities.
Use of Facilities
NIL activities are prohibited in University of South Carolina facilities unless approved through the standard facility rental process. Note that permission to use the facility does not constitute permission to use University of South Carolina intellectual property. Designated staff members may use institutional facilities for the facilitation of NIL activities.
Education
The University of South Carolina will provide student-athletes with both required and optional targeted education opportunities regarding NIL including, life skills, career development, and financial literacy to best prepare student-athletes for this landscape.
Student-Athlete Agent Representation
Student-athletes may secure representation such as an agent or marketing representative for NIL activities. The prior NCAA guidelines on professional representation remain and student-athletes may not secure representation for future professional athletic contract negotiations.
Agents or marketing representatives must abide by the Uniform Athlete Agents Act and register with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.
Agents or marketing representatives should register with the Athletics Department prior to entering into a representation agreement with any student-athlete at the University of South Carolina.
Student-athletes are responsible for ensuring their representation has registered with both the state of South Carolina and the University of South Carolina Athletics Department.es for this landscape.
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South Carolina Law
The state of South Carolina currently has a suspended state law. This means that each institution within the state can create their own institutional policies.
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Agent Information
Agents or marketing representatives must abide by the Uniform Athlete Agents Act and register with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs.
Agents or marketing representatives should register with the Athletics Department prior to entering into a representation agreement with any student-athlete at the University of South Carolina.
To register with the state, click the button below.
Register with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs
To register with the University of South Carolina please click the button below to access the form and once completed, submit it to Hilary Cox (coxha@mailbox.sc.edu).
