NIL is the opportunity for student-athletes to be compensated in exchange for the use of their name, image, and likeness.
What is NIL?
Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) is the ability for student-athletes to profit off of their name, image and likeness for personal gain in ways permitted by NCAA, state and institutional legislation. Gamecock NIL is the department created to spearhead and lead all associated NIL initiatives at the University of South Carolina. The mission of Gamecock NIL is to help South Carolina student-athletes maximize their name, image, likeness opportunities.
How can I engage?
There are multiple ways fans can get involved in the NIL space to support Gamecock student-athletes.
Collectives
Collectives are organizations that are independent of a university. Their goal is to pool funds from boosters and businesses to help facilitate NIL deals for athletes as well as creating ways for student-athletes to monetize their brands.
The University of South Carolina supports two collectives: Garnet Trust and Carolina Rise.
Garnet Trust
The Garnet Trust launched in 2021 with a goal to become the most unique, built-to-last and effective NIL entity in the country. The Garnet Trust utilizes NIL deals to create experiences between the fan base, student-athletes and businesses.
In addition, they launched the Garnet Trust Foundation. Its mission to help promote, support, and advance charitable organizations and causes, educate the general public regarding these charitable organizations and causes, and to make positive impacts on communities, by utilizing the names, images, and likenesses and notoriety of University of South Carolina student-athletes. The Garnet Trust Foundation has been granted tax-exempt status as an organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3) making all donations to the Foundation tax-deductible.
Carolina Rise
Carolina Rise is a Name, Image and Likeness collective for University of South Carolina student athletes that launched in June of 2022 and has experienced rapid growth since. Carolina Rise has three main points of focus:
- For Carolina to compete in the Southeastern Conference and nationally in the Name, Image and Likeness Space.
- For student athletes to maximize their brand using new media with a focus on maximum dollars paid out for minimum time spent. In a world where Instagram influencers are making six figures for a post, it is valuable experience for the student athletes to learn how to leverage their personal brand across social media channels while helping to promote our affiliated brands and business partners.
- For fans the opportunity to have membership in an organization that allows them to take an unprecedented amount of ownership and influence on the success of the Gamecocks across all sports. Benefits include prize drawings, gifts and gear depending on membership level and special events.
Carolina Rise has a lean operating budget so that fans who join up during this initial growth period know that their hard earned dollars are getting in the hands of Carolina student-athletes. Membership starts at just $5 per month. Affiliated business memberships are available as well.
Gamecock Exchange
The Gamecock Exchange, powered by INFLCR, is a student-athlete NIL business registry, custom-designed for businesses, donors, alumni, and any other interested NIL dollars wishing to connect with student-athletes. Registered businesses can search, filter and initiate conversations with your student-athletes to discuss an NIL deal. Once the NIL deal between a registered business and your student-athlete is completed, the business will use the Gamecock Exchange to create a transaction that will produce a direct payment to the student-athlete and automate a disclosure to the INFLCR Verified Compliance Ledger. The institution does not have to get involved in the deal and all transactions within the local exchange are consolidated into one 1099 at the end of the year for easier tax reporting purposes for registered businesses and athletes. The Gamecock Exchange is financed and operated by the University of South Carolina.
NIL Gear
Through our partnership with Fanatics, Gamecock student-athletes have the opportunity to have personalized jerseys, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other customized items in our team store. You can visit shop.gamecocksonline.com or visit the bio page of your favorite athlete on GamecocksOnline for a link directly to their apparel items.
Frequently Asked Questions for Boosters
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What is NIL?
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What is the South Carolina State law regarding NIL?
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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Will engaging in an NIL deal affect my Gamecock Club membership?
No, engaging in an NIL deal will not affect your Gamecock Club membership.
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If I am a Gamecock Club member, I am allowed to enter an NIL deal with a student- athlete?
Yes, provided the NIL compensation is for actual NIL activity by a Gamecock student-athlete and is not a recruiting inducement, in exchange for athletic performance (pay-for-play), initial enrollment, or continued attendance at USC. A Gamecock Club Member may not compensate a Gamecock student-athlete for NIL when the Gamecock student-athlete is engaged in official team activities. For example, if a Gamecock student-athlete is at a fan event organized by the USCAD or is at an away-from-home competition, a Gamecock Club Member may not compensate the Gamecock student-athlete for their autograph or photo, as they are engaged in official team activities.
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Can the university provide me with a student-athlete’s contact information?
Fans may sign-up as an individual through the Gamecock Exchange to contact student-athletes regarding autographs, appearances, lessons, etc.
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Can I invite a student-athlete to appear at a birthday party and sign autographs?
Yes, provided the deal is disclosed and there is an exchange of services between you and the student-athlete. Student-athletes may not show up wearing apparel with USC marks on it. Student-athletes can submit a request to use USC intellectual property in their NIL activity.
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Can I use the Universities marks in my NIL deal (i.e. logos, colors, videos)
Gamecock student-athletes must request use of intellectual property, including but not limited to official logos, marks, colors, by using the NIL Use of Marks Request Form and submitting the form as indicated on the request form. The form must be submitted no later than five (5) business days prior to the NIL activity. Any request submitted after this deadline shall be denied.
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Do I need to disclose an NIL deal?
Yes, NIL activities should be disclosed
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Can I provide non-cash compensation?
Yes, Value-in-kind deals are permissible forms of NIL compensation if there is work performed by the student-athlete. Examples of Value-in-Kind include but are not limited to shoes, food, clothing, etc
Frequently Asked Questions for Businesses
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What is the Gamecock Exchange?
The Gamecock Exchange allows for perspective businesses and Gamecock student-athletes to connect and foster business relationships.
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How do I join the Gamecock Exchange?
Please fill out this form if you are interested in joining the Gamecock Exchange. All applications are reviewed before approval is granted.
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How do I disclose my NIL deal on the exchange?
NIL deals are automatically disclosed once they are submitted in the exchange.
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Can I use the University of South Carolina logos in an NIL deal?
Please refer to use of marks section below
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Are there any restrictions on NIL activities?
Student-athletes may not engage in NIL activities that conflict with team activities or academic obligations. Student-athletes must also gain permission to use UofSC marks before using them in their NIL activities.
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Can I provide NIL compensation to a perspective recruit to attend USC?
No
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Can student-athletes have representation?
Yes, student athletes may receive representation for their NIL activities. Agents must be registered with the University and with the state of South Carolina.
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Can I provide non-cash compensation?
Yes Value-in-kind deals are permissible forms of NIL compensation if there is work performed by the student-athlete. Examples of Value-in-Kind include but are not limited to shoes, food, clothing, tattoos, etc
Use of institutional marks in the NIL space
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What are USC marks and Intellectual Property
USC marks and Intellectual property include but are not limited to: registered trademarks, products protected by copyright, or official logos, marks, or colors.
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Can a student-athlete sign a jersey for me?
Yes, student-athletes may autograph licensed items purchased by fans. However, please note that Gamecock student-athletes may not autograph, sell, or exchange for anything of value items that are issued, owned, or controlled by the University of South Carolina Athletics Department.
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Can I use the USC logo in my NIL activity?
Use of USC institutional marks in conjunction with an NIL activity is prohibited without express written permission by the University of South Carolina Athletics Department.
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Can a student-athlete wear a jersey, shirt, or other apparel that has the UofSC logo as a part of their NIL deal?
Use of USC institutional marks in conjunction with an NIL activity is prohibited without express written permission by the University of South Carolina Athletics Department.
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How do I request permission to use marks in conjunction with an NIL activity?
An intercollegiate athlete may request use of intellectual property, including but not limited to official logos, marks, colors, by using the NIL Use of Marks Request Form. This form must be submitted no later than five (5) business days prior to the event or activity. Any request submitted after this deadline shall be denied. The completed request form should be submitted to Hilary Cox, Associate Athletics Director, at coxha@mailbox.sc.edu.
