Compliance Knowledge Center
Explore this page as your go-to resource for all things compliance related to student-athlete work and fee-for-lesson. If you can't find what you're looking for, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to assist you at any time.
For Student-Athletes:
- Employment Conditions:
- Student-athletes may engage in employment opportunities, such as offering lessons, as long as they are compensated at prevailing hourly rates.
- Rates vary depending on the student-athletes academic standing:
- Freshman ($35)
- Sophomore ($40)
- Junior ($45)
- Senior ($50)
- The trainer’s rate will be confirmed before the first session.
- Facility Usage:
- Institutional facilities are prohibited from use for NIL and Fee-for-lesson activities.
- Student-Athlete.co assists in locating alternative facilities such as local parks, fields, or partner facilities.
- Apparel Guidelines:
- Student-athletes are advised against wearing university-branded gear during NIL activities, including branded shorts, t-shirts, jerseys, and hats.
- Activity Limitations:
- Activities are limited to instruction only, with no participation in playing or competing during lessons.
- Documentation Requirement:
- Student-athletes must maintain records of sessions, with Student-Athlete.co keeping records for all participants.
- Payment Handling:
- Compensation for lessons must be paid by the lesson recipient or their family member.
- Student-Athlete.co facilitates payment processes to ensure compliance with NCAA regulations and eligibility requirements.
- Group Lesson Standards:
- If a lesson involves multiple trainees, the instruction provided must be equivalent to that of a one-on-one lesson.
- Student-Athlete.co oversees this process to maintain consistency and fairness in instruction quality.
- Transparency (In January 2024, NCAA Division I announced new rules that are scheduled to go into effect for member schools on Aug. 1, 2024.)
- Athletes are required to disclose information related to any NIL or other agreements exceeding $600 in value to their schools no later than 30 days after entering or signing the agreement. Additionally, prospective student-athletes must disclose the same information within 30 days of enrollment.
- Signing NIL contracts
- NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from signing NIL contracts that are designed as inducements to get them to attend a particular school — one of the few restrictions in place for how athletes can make money.
For more information, please refer to the following resources:
NCAA NIL Q&A
NIL disclosure and transparency rules
Policy Key Takeaways
- Autographs:
- Student-athletes can monetize their autographs by participating in signings at events or through organized autograph sessions.
- Business Ventures:
- They can start or invest in businesses, leveraging their personal brand and influence.
- Endorsements:
- Brands may pay student-athletes to endorse their products or services through various marketing channels.
- Lessons & Camps:
- Offering coaching or instructional sessions in their respective sports to interested individuals or groups.
- Merchandise:
- Creating and selling branded merchandise such as apparel, accessories, or equipment.
- Personal Appearances:
- Attending events, functions, or gatherings as a guest or speaker, often compensated for their appearance.
- Personal Content Creation:
- Generating content for platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or podcasts, monetizing through ads, sponsorships, or subscriptions.
- Social Media Posts:
- Collaborating with brands to promote products or services through their social media platforms, typically compensated per post or campaign.
- University Contracts:
- Student-athletes must ensure that any contracts they enter into do not conflict with existing agreements between the university and themselves.
- Institutional Contracts:
- Contracts should not conflict with institutional agreements with sponsors or partners, such as apparel deals with brands like Nike or Adidas.
- Team Activities:
- Contracts should not interfere with official team activities, including athletic and academic requirements, to avoid conflicts of interest or distractions from their primary obligations.
- Exchange of Property:
- Agreements involving the exchange of university property, such as jerseys or equipment, should be avoided to maintain compliance with NCAA regulations.
- Use of University Marks or Logos:
- Contracts should not utilize the trademarks or logos of the university without proper authorization, as this could infringe on intellectual property rights and violate institutional policies.
- Endorsement Restrictions:
- Contracts endorsing specific products or businesses, such as alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or gambling-related entities, are prohibited due to NCAA regulations and ethical considerations.
- Student-Athlete Coach Conduct and Discipline (Professional Responsibility)
- Coaches in accordance with applicable local, state, and/or federal rules, requirements, regulation and/or laws related to athletic training.
- What happens if I have covid symptoms or was exposed to COVID yesterday or recently?
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms/ exposure/receive a positive COVID test result, notify Student-Athlete.co leadership immediately and quarantine for the number of days designated by the CDC. We’ll handle rescheduling your client session.
- As a Student-Athlete coach, am I in compliance with NCAA rules?
- Absolutely! Our model is set up in a way that helps you adhere to your school’s compliance requirements while easing the burden that’s put on you!
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs
- Consumption of alcohol is discouraged for any student-athlete of legal age and is not permitted during any official Student-Athlete.co event or representation.
- The student-athlete is subject to year-round drug testing by NCAA and conference.
- Non-Public Information
- The student-athlete, as an employee of Student-Athlete.co, will have access to non-public information regarding their trainee clients. Student-athletes are expected not to disclose non-public information
- Social Media
- Sound judgment and common sense are expected in the use of all social media. Obscene language and graphic images are prohibited.
- Student-Athletes must receive written and documented consent from both the youth’s guardian and Student-athlete.co leadership before posting any images.
- Minor Care Responsibilities
The Student-Athlete coach:
- Communicates effectively and truthfully with client (youths and youths’ guardians).
- Develops and maintains a relationship of trust and confidence with client (youth and guardian) and does not exploit the relationship for personal or financial gain.
- Does not accept tips as it may jeopardize NCAA eligibility.
- Does not engage in intimate or sexual activity with a client (youth and/or guardian).
University Employment Form Example
For Parents:
- Arranging Training Sessions:
- Parents can arrange training sessions for their children with student-athletes, providing an opportunity for skill development and mentorship.
- Engagement with Student-Athletes:
- They can engage with student-athletes to discuss potential training opportunities for their children and establish mutually beneficial arrangements.
- Supporting Academic and Personal Development:
- Parents can support their children’s academic and personal development by facilitating interactions with student-athletes, fostering mentorship relationships, and encouraging positive role modeling.
For more information, please refer to the Name, Image, and Likeness Policy Guidance.
Participation in Recruiting:
Parents/guardians are advised to refrain from engaging in activities that could be interpreted as recruiting student-athletes to coach their children for personal benefit or competitive advantage.
Inducements and NIL Contracts:
Parents should not engage in or facilitate the signing of NIL contracts that serve as inducements for student-athletes to attend a specific school. Offering compensation or benefits to student-athletes in exchange for their enrollment at a particular institution is strictly prohibited.
For more information, please refer to the Name, Image, and Likeness Policy Guidance, Policy Key Takeaways
For Businesses/Sponsors:
- Engagement with NIL Entities:
- Businesses or sponsors can engage with Student-Athlete.co to explore potential partnerships or sponsorships with student-athletes.
- Educational Support:
- They can provide educational support to NIL entities, such as through fundraising events or donations of autographed items, to help them in their endeavors.
- Providing Assets:
- Businesses or sponsors may provide assets, such as tickets or suites, to NIL entities under sponsorship agreements, ensuring equitable access to these assets.
- Assisting in Fundraising:
- Businesses or sponsors are permitted to assist NIL entities in raising funds through various means, such as appearances at fundraisers or donating cash.
For more information, please refer to the Involvement in NIL Activities.
- Institutional Involvement:
- They are prohibited from receiving assets from institutions as incentives for providing funds to NIL entities or engaging in impermissible negotiating or revenue-sharing activities.
- Representation of Student-Athletes:
- Businesses or sponsors cannot act on behalf of the athletics department or represent enrolled student-athletes for NIL deals.
- Involvement of Athletics Department Staff:
- Athletics department staff members are prohibited from being employed by NIL entities or representing enrolled student-athletes for NIL deals.
- Prohibited Assistance:
- Businesses or sponsors cannot proactively assist in the development, creation, execution, or implementation of a student-athlete’s NIL activity unless the same benefit is generally available to the institution’s students.
- Businesses or sponsors cannot proactively assist in the development, creation, execution, or implementation of a student-athlete’s NIL activity unless the same benefit is generally available to the institution’s students.
For more information, please refer to the Involvement in NIL Activities.
