Troy University Athletics
WORK WITH A STUDENT-ATHLETE
Opendorse Marketplace is a great tool for exploring opportunities to work with student athletes and contacting them to offer a deal. You can browse student-athlete profiles and the services they have to offer, offer a deal for a service listed, or create an opportunity that you’d like to offer or discuss. Check out the marketplace here: opendorse.com/troy-trojans
SHOP
Even if you’re not ready to work with a student athlete, you can support them buy purchasing gear from Athlete’s Thread NIL Merchandise. Shop your favorite players’ t-shirts, shirseys, hoodies and more: athletesthread.com/collections/troy-university
TROY ATHLETICS NIL FAQs for FANS, DONORS & BUSINESSES
What is Name, Image & Likeness (NIL)?
Name, image, and likeness (NIL) are the three elements that make up “right of publicity”, a legal concept used to allow the use of an individual to promote a product or service. Example of NIL-related activities include autographs, personal appearances, promoting a business, sale of merchandise with the individual’s NIL, social media endorsement, or representation in video games.
Alabama currently does not have a state law regarding student-athlete NIL activities. As of July 2021, the NCAA allows student-athletes the opportunity to benefit from their NIL without jeopardizing their eligibility. Schools may not use NIL transactions to compensate student-athletes for athletics participation or as an improper inducement, but external parties can enter into mutually beneficial partnerships with student athletes.
What can student-athletes do to promote my business?
NIL contract activities include appearances, autograph signings, social media promotions, advertisements or endorsements and other similar events in which a business, brand, product or service is promoted.
When can I sign a student-athlete to a promotional contract?
Current student-athletes can sign contracts now. Prospective student-athletes cannot be offered or sign NIL contracts in order to recruit or entice them to enroll at TROY. Doing so would be designated as an NCAA infraction. Once enrolled and attending class (i.e. on campus and classes have begun), they become current student-athletes and are eligible to sign contracts.
May student-athletes have representation?
Student-athletes are permitted to retain agents or advisors for the purposes of providing counsel and assistance for NIL contracts only. Student-athletes are still prohibited form retaining agents or advisors for the purposes of gaining a professional opportunity.
Do I negotiate directly with the student-athlete?
Student-athletes or their agents can negotiate NIL contracts with businesses. The University may not be involved in any form of brokering NIL-related contracts. The University can make connections between businesses and donors but cannot broker the contract or pay the student-athlete directly.
Is my payment to student-athletes tax deductible?
No, because this is a contract with a student-athlete for a work-related endeavor, the payment is not tax-deductible. The payment cannot be paid to the University to give to the student.
When must the University be notified of potential NIL contracts?
Student-athletes must disclose each contract they enter into for compensation for the use of their name, image, or likeness to the Troy University Athletics Department. Disclosure must be made by the contract’s first effective date or the first reasonable opportunity to disclose, whichever is earlier.
Is there a limit to the length of a contract that a student athlete is allowed to agree to?
Yes, there is a limit. Contractually, student-athletes can only agree to items during the length of their time as a student-athlete.
May student-athletes use branded attire or material during promotional events (e.g., student-athlete filming endorsement ad while wearing a TROY hat)?
Student-athletes must obtain expressed written consent from Troy Athletics before being able to use any Troy University’s facilities, uniforms, registered trademarks, products protected by copyright, or official logos, marks, colors, or other indicia in connection with the use of the student-athlete’s name, image, or likeness.
How do I contact a student-athlete to initiate a potential partnership?
Using the Troy NIL Marketplace is an excellent tool for exploring student-athletes’ profiles and contacting them in a professional way. You can do this at opendorse.com/troy-trojans. You may also reach out to a student-athlete directly.
How do I compensate a student-athlete?
Student-athletes may receive compensation in the form of money, services, discounts, or goods.
Is there a limit on what I can compensate a student-athlete for their NIL?
The compensation must be at fair market value.
May a student-athlete receive NIL compensation based on the student-athletes’ athletic performance?
No.
May I compensate a student-athlete for their NIL when the student-athlete is engaged in official team activities?
No. If a student-athlete is participating in a competition, fan event or other activity sponsored or organized by Troy Athletics, the student-athlete may not be compensated for their autograph, photo, or other service.
What kinds of promotions are prohibited?
Student-athletes may not enter a NIL contract to receive compensation for the advertisement, endorsement, or promotion of the following:
• Gambling
• Alcohol
• Performance Enhancing Supplements
• Adult Entertainment
• Pornography
• Controlled Substances
• Marijuana
• Tobacco
• Student-athletes may not earn compensation in a way that violates the Troy University Code of Student Conduct policies
May international student-athletes utilize NIL?
International student-athletes should NOT enter into any NIL agreements without the guidance from the Troy University Office of Compliance and the Troy to discuss and prevent any complications with student visa/immigration issues.
Who do I contact with any additional NIL questions?
You can contact any of the following Troy University NIL team members:
Kyle George, Executive Associate Director of Athletics / External Operations
kylegeorge@troy.edu or 334-670-5650
Santiago Pinzon, Associate Director of Athletics / Compliance & Student-Athlete Success
spinzon@troy.edu or 334-808-6259
Lynne George, Director of IDEA Bank Student Entrepreneurship Center
lfirmin@troy.edu or 334-808-6794
Opendorse Marketplace is a great tool for exploring opportunities to work with student athletes and contacting them to offer a deal. You can browse student-athlete profiles and the services they have to offer, offer a deal for a service listed, or create an opportunity that you’d like to offer or discuss. Check out the marketplace here: opendorse.com/troy-trojans
SHOP
Even if you’re not ready to work with a student athlete, you can support them buy purchasing gear from Athlete’s Thread NIL Merchandise. Shop your favorite players’ t-shirts, shirseys, hoodies and more: athletesthread.com/collections/troy-university
TROY ATHLETICS NIL FAQs for FANS, DONORS & BUSINESSES
What is Name, Image & Likeness (NIL)?
Name, image, and likeness (NIL) are the three elements that make up “right of publicity”, a legal concept used to allow the use of an individual to promote a product or service. Example of NIL-related activities include autographs, personal appearances, promoting a business, sale of merchandise with the individual’s NIL, social media endorsement, or representation in video games.
Alabama currently does not have a state law regarding student-athlete NIL activities. As of July 2021, the NCAA allows student-athletes the opportunity to benefit from their NIL without jeopardizing their eligibility. Schools may not use NIL transactions to compensate student-athletes for athletics participation or as an improper inducement, but external parties can enter into mutually beneficial partnerships with student athletes.
What can student-athletes do to promote my business?
NIL contract activities include appearances, autograph signings, social media promotions, advertisements or endorsements and other similar events in which a business, brand, product or service is promoted.
When can I sign a student-athlete to a promotional contract?
Current student-athletes can sign contracts now. Prospective student-athletes cannot be offered or sign NIL contracts in order to recruit or entice them to enroll at TROY. Doing so would be designated as an NCAA infraction. Once enrolled and attending class (i.e. on campus and classes have begun), they become current student-athletes and are eligible to sign contracts.
May student-athletes have representation?
Student-athletes are permitted to retain agents or advisors for the purposes of providing counsel and assistance for NIL contracts only. Student-athletes are still prohibited form retaining agents or advisors for the purposes of gaining a professional opportunity.
Do I negotiate directly with the student-athlete?
Student-athletes or their agents can negotiate NIL contracts with businesses. The University may not be involved in any form of brokering NIL-related contracts. The University can make connections between businesses and donors but cannot broker the contract or pay the student-athlete directly.
Is my payment to student-athletes tax deductible?
No, because this is a contract with a student-athlete for a work-related endeavor, the payment is not tax-deductible. The payment cannot be paid to the University to give to the student.
When must the University be notified of potential NIL contracts?
Student-athletes must disclose each contract they enter into for compensation for the use of their name, image, or likeness to the Troy University Athletics Department. Disclosure must be made by the contract’s first effective date or the first reasonable opportunity to disclose, whichever is earlier.
Is there a limit to the length of a contract that a student athlete is allowed to agree to?
Yes, there is a limit. Contractually, student-athletes can only agree to items during the length of their time as a student-athlete.
May student-athletes use branded attire or material during promotional events (e.g., student-athlete filming endorsement ad while wearing a TROY hat)?
Student-athletes must obtain expressed written consent from Troy Athletics before being able to use any Troy University’s facilities, uniforms, registered trademarks, products protected by copyright, or official logos, marks, colors, or other indicia in connection with the use of the student-athlete’s name, image, or likeness.
How do I contact a student-athlete to initiate a potential partnership?
Using the Troy NIL Marketplace is an excellent tool for exploring student-athletes’ profiles and contacting them in a professional way. You can do this at opendorse.com/troy-trojans. You may also reach out to a student-athlete directly.
How do I compensate a student-athlete?
Student-athletes may receive compensation in the form of money, services, discounts, or goods.
Is there a limit on what I can compensate a student-athlete for their NIL?
The compensation must be at fair market value.
May a student-athlete receive NIL compensation based on the student-athletes’ athletic performance?
No.
May I compensate a student-athlete for their NIL when the student-athlete is engaged in official team activities?
No. If a student-athlete is participating in a competition, fan event or other activity sponsored or organized by Troy Athletics, the student-athlete may not be compensated for their autograph, photo, or other service.
What kinds of promotions are prohibited?
Student-athletes may not enter a NIL contract to receive compensation for the advertisement, endorsement, or promotion of the following:
• Gambling
• Alcohol
• Performance Enhancing Supplements
• Adult Entertainment
• Pornography
• Controlled Substances
• Marijuana
• Tobacco
• Student-athletes may not earn compensation in a way that violates the Troy University Code of Student Conduct policies
May international student-athletes utilize NIL?
International student-athletes should NOT enter into any NIL agreements without the guidance from the Troy University Office of Compliance and the Troy to discuss and prevent any complications with student visa/immigration issues.
Who do I contact with any additional NIL questions?
You can contact any of the following Troy University NIL team members:
Kyle George, Executive Associate Director of Athletics / External Operations
kylegeorge@troy.edu or 334-670-5650
Santiago Pinzon, Associate Director of Athletics / Compliance & Student-Athlete Success
spinzon@troy.edu or 334-808-6259
Lynne George, Director of IDEA Bank Student Entrepreneurship Center
lfirmin@troy.edu or 334-808-6794