CAA Adopts New Conference Policy For Name, Image And Likeness

CAA Adopts New Conference Policy For Name, Image And Likeness

Bookmark and Share

Rob Washburn

RICHMOND, Va. (July 1, 2021) – The Colonial Athletic Association Board of Directors has adopted a new conference policy that will assist its member institutions in the development and application of institutional policies associated with Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for student-athletes.  
On June 30th the NCAA Division I Board of Directors adopted a temporary regulatory framework (interim NIL policy) that provided Conferences and member institutions with a pathway to create NIL policies.  

The CAA policy, which is effective immediately, will govern all student-athletes at member institutions relative to NIL activities.  The policy is meant to create a set of minimum benchmarks and/or guidelines to be adhered to by all institutions.  The policy is not intended to interfere with any state NIL laws, executive orders and/or state university system policies that a member institution would incorporate into its own NIL policies.  
 
 
CAA NIL Policy (effective July 1, 2021)
 
Student-athletes participating at CAA member institutions may engage in activities (NIL Activities) utilizing their name, image, or likeness (NIL) and earn compensation without effecting their eligibility, provided as follows:
 
  1. Student-athletes shall adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws (Applicable Law), executive orders, state university system policies and institutional policies pertaining to NIL Activities, regardless of whether such student-athlete attends a CAA institution located in a state with an effective NIL law.
 
  1. Except as required by Applicable law, the student-athlete shall adhere to the NIL policy set forth by the member institution, including, without limitation, requirements to disclose compensation or contracts related to NIL Activities.
 
  1. Student-athletes shall be permitted to use and be represented by professional services (e.g., advisors or agents) for NIL activities.
 
  • The use of agents for future professional athletics contract negotiations remains impermissible per NCAA Division I Bylaw 12.3.1.
 
  1. Student-athletes may not accept compensation for work not actually performed.
 
  1. Student-athletes may not accept compensation in exchange for (i) athletics performance; (ii) specific athletic achievement; or (iii) an inducement to enroll or continue attendance at a member institution.
 
 
CAA member institutions shall adhere to the following:
 
  1. Member institutions shall develop an institutional NIL policy, that at a minimum, shall: 
    1. Include requirements for student-athlete disclosure of NIL agreements;
    2. Identify the process for handling conflicts of interest, that arise from student-athlete NIL Activities, with existing institutional agreements; and
    3. Indicate all NCAA Bylaws, including prohibitions on pay-for-play and improper recruiting inducements, remain in effect.