THE NIL EDGE: Week of July 3–10, 2025
THE NIL EDGE: Week of July 3–10, 2025
Your weekly scan of the Name, Image & Likeness landscape, from breaking deals to regulatory shakeups.
REGULATORY & INSTITUTIONAL OVERSIGHT
NIL Go Clearinghouse Activity
Since launching on June 11, the NIL Go system has reviewed over 1,500 deals ranging from hundreds to millions of dollars. More than 12,000 athletes and 1,100+ institutional users are now active on the platform. Some NIL deals are already being rejected, particularly those lacking a “valid business purpose,” like donor-backed collectives charging admission fees to funnel money to players. Schools like Georgia, Ohio State, and Illinois have started dismantling these models.
CSC + Deloitte Guidance Released
The College Sports Commission, in partnership with Deloitte, has issued new criteria to define a legitimate NIL deal. Key elements include market value, clear deliverables, and a real business purpose. These standards now come with actual enforcement teeth.
HIGH-PROFILE NIL DEALS & RECRUITING SHIFTS
Felix Ojo’s $5.1M Deal at Texas Tech
Top high school offensive tackle Felix Ojo just signed a record-breaking $5.1M NIL revenue-sharing deal, fully guaranteed over three years. His family is even weighing a move closer to campus due to the life-changing nature of the opportunity.
Gavin McKenna Chooses Penn State with $700K NIL Deal
Canadian hockey phenom Gavin McKenna, age 17, turned down pro options to commit to Penn State, secured by a $700K NIL deal. NCAA hockey is now a serious competitor for elite global talent.
Deion Sanders Advocates NIL Cap
Shedeur Sanders reportedly made $6.5 million in NIL earnings before entering the NFL, eclipsing his rookie contract. His dad is now pushing for a cap on NIL income to curb the growing recruiting imbalance.
Source: https://talksport.com/nfl/3367654/deion-sanders-nil-cap-shedeur-worth-colorado-buffaloes
POLICY & LEGISLATIVE MOMENTUM
SCORE Act Gaining Traction
The proposed federal SCORE Act would:
Override conflicting state NIL laws
Cap agent commissions at 5%
Require schools to offer educational/career resources
Create new eligibility, transparency, and enforcement rules through the CSC
This act would effectively codify the House v. NCAA settlement into federal law.
Schools Adjusting to Coming Oversight
Across the country, athletic departments are gearing up for regulation. Schools will be limited in their ability to pay directly outside of approved revenue-sharing channels, and agents will face new disclosure requirements.
Source: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/forum/college-sports/2025/07/156797/significant-changes-coming-to-nil
COMPETITIVE EQUITY & RESOURCE GAPS
Revenue-Sharing Has Arrived
Starting July 1, 2025, schools were permitted to distribute up to $20.5M/year directly to athletes under the revenue-sharing model. While top-tier programs are prepared, mid-majors, HBCUs, and Ivy League schools may fall further behind due to limited funding.
Source: https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/article/revenue-sharing-ncaa-basketball-20760875.php
BOTTOM LINE
The NIL world is no longer quite the same Wild West of the past few years. It’s now a full-fledged regulated marketplace, purportedly shaped by oversight bodies, state and federal legislation, and a rapidly growing value system.
Schools are being forced to adapt, fast.
Athletes are entering seven-figure negotiations before high school graduation.
The federal government is laying the groundwork for standardized NIL laws and agent accountability.
If you’re an athlete (or parent) navigating this evolving landscape, don’t go it alone. Leverage experienced advisors to protect your rights, opportunities, and long-term goals.
Reach out for more info! [email protected]
