NCAA Name, Image and Likeness Policy

Policy Statement

This policy governs Adelphi University (“Adelphi”) student-athletes and Adelphi personnel with regard to student-athletes’ Name, Image and Likeness (“NIL”) activities and opportunities in accordance with the June 30, 2021 NCAA adoption of a uniform interim policy suspending NIL rules and New York Education Law § 6438-c, which governs student-athlete NIL compensation in New York. Any agreements that concern student-athletes’ NIL prior to July 1, 2021 are not covered under this policy and are therefore subject to previous NCAA rules on NIL including mandatory reporting of violations of those rules. Adelphi personnel, Adelphi Athletics and Adelphi student-athletes must comply with New York State law, NCAA guidance, and this policy on NIL.

This policy is subject to change to reflect amendments to New York State’s NIL law or applicable NCAA or federal guidance. This policy does not supersede any other Adelphi policy and student-athletes must adhere to all Adelphi, Northeast-10 Conference and NCAA regulations, guidelines and expectations when engaging in NIL opportunities.

Who Is Governed by this Policy

Any student participating in intercollegiate sports at Adelphi University, the Athletics Department, including staff, administration and coaches, and all Adelphi staff.

Policy

NIL Activities

Subject to NCAA rules and New York law, this Adelphi University NIL policy, and all other applicable Adelphi University policies, student-athletes may use their NIL in a variety of ways that may include, but are not limited to:

• Promoting their own business
• Promoting or endorsing a corporate entity (e.g., a brand ambassador or social media influencer)
• Conducting camps, clinics or lessons
• Making appearances or signing autographs

Compensation for NIL Activities

Adelphi student-athletes are permitted to receive compensation, either in-kind or monetary, for NIL activities subject to the requirements of this Policy, New York State law, and NCAA rules. Such compensation must be within fair market value and must be for work actually performed.

Adelphi student-athletes are permitted to enter into agreements and receive corresponding compensation with individuals who support or promote the athletics department, program, or assist with recruitment, also known as “boosters,” provided the agreement meets the requirements of this policy and the compensation is paid for work actually performed by the student-athlete and is not (i) a recruiting inducement; (ii) an inducement to remain enrolled at Adelphi; and/or (iii) is based on athletic performance.

Restrictions

• NCAA rules prohibiting pay-for-play and impermissible inducements remain in effect. Thus, NIL activities may not involve compensation for athletic participation or performance at Adelphi.
• NIL compensation cannot be used as a recruiting inducement to solicit a specific prospective student-athlete to Adelphi.
• Adelphi student-athletes may obtain professional advice to assist them with NIL opportunities. Consistent with New York Education Law § 6438-c, any athlete agent retained by a student-athlete must be registered pursuant to Article 39-E of the General Business Law, and any attorney retained must be licensed pursuant to Article 15 of the Judiciary Law. A student-athlete must pay fair market value for professional agent or attorney services pertaining to the student-athlete’s NIL. However, it remains against NCAA rules for student-athletes to enter into agreements with agents or other professional advisors to represent or assist them in the process of becoming a professional athlete. Thus, the use of an agent, attorney or similar representative may only be used for NIL representation.
• Adelphi personnel are prohibited from assisting with or facilitating NIL opportunities for student-athletes.
• Adelphi student-athletes are prohibited from engaging in NIL activities during the course of official team activities including team competitions, practices, gatherings, and meetings.
• Adelphi student-athletes are prohibited from engaging in NIL activities which conflict with academic obligations, including missing classes, exams or required study halls to participate in NIL activities.
• NIL agreements shall not conflict with existing Adelphi University, Adelphi Athletics or any affiliated entity agreements, including but not limited to sponsorship agreements and team contracts.
• Adelphi personnel may not compensate or arrange compensation to an Adelphi student-athlete or prospective student-athlete for use of their NIL.
• Adelphi University or Adelphi Athletics may not enter into an agreement with a student-athlete that prohibits a student-athlete’s ability to receive compensation for their NIL when the student-athlete is not engaged in official team activities.
• A student-athlete may not enter into an NIL contract that conflicts with this policy, and must disclose any NIL contract to the Adelphi Athletics Compliance Office in advance of executing it, consistent with New York Education Law § 6438-c.
• Student-athletes must not use their NIL to promote:
  • Products or services that are illegal
  • Alcohol, tobacco or vaping products
  • Substances that are banned by the NCAA
  • Adult entertainment
  • Gambling
• Adelphi reserves the right to prohibit a student-athlete’s involvement in NIL activities based on other considerations such as institutional values.
• To avoid the appearance that Adelphi supports or endorses the subject of any NIL activity, student-athletes are prohibited from “tagging” official team or University social media accounts in NIL-related social media posts.

Definitions

Agent: Any individual appointed to market a student-athlete’s athletic ability or reputation for financial gain or benefit.

Attorney: Any individual legally appointed to transact business on another’s behalf.

Endorsement: A form of public support or approval.

Fair Market Value: A selling price for a right, good, property or service to which a buyer and seller can agree. Such price is determined by the price of which other buyers and sellers have agreed for a similar right, good, property or service and not by the individuals involved in the transaction.

Name, Image, and Likeness (“NIL”): Three elements of the right of individuals to control the deployment of their identity and association in commerce (legally known as the “right of publicity”). These are independent or collectively identifiable aspects of a person that make them unique and as such, permission is required of a person to use their name, image, or likeness.

Name, Image, and Likeness Activities: Activities that involve the use of an individual’s name, image, and likeness for commercial or promotional purposes.

Prospective Student-Athlete: An individual who has completed at least their sophomore year of high school or international equivalent and is eligible, or may in the future be eligible, to attend a college and participate in intercollegiate athletics. This term does not include an individual who is permanently ineligible to participate in a particular interscholastic or intercollegiate sport.

Recruiting Inducement: Impermissible benefits or financial aid provided to a prospective student-athlete or their relatives or friends by an institutional staff member or a representative of an institution’s athletics interests.

Student-Athlete: A student-athlete is a student enrolled at Adelphi and participating in intercollegiate athletics.

Team Contract: Any written agreement between a student-athlete and Adelphi, or a division, department, program or team thereof, that includes goals and objectives, standards, prohibitions, or broadcast, advertising or marketing rights or consents, rules or expectations applicable to the student-athlete.

Forms

NIL Activity Disclosure Form (DOC)

Other Applicable Policies and Guidelines

Disclosure of NIL Opportunities

Student-athletes must disclose all NIL opportunities by completing an NIL Activity Disclosure Form for each agreement into which they enter with a third party. This form can be accessed via ARMS and must be submitted to the Adelphi Athletics Compliance Office no less than five (5) days prior to the student-athlete entering into the NIL agreement or activity so that the compliance office can assist in ensuring that the activity is permissible and does not jeopardize the student-athlete’s eligibility. Transfer student-athletes are to disclose any NIL agreements within fifteen (15) days of matriculation at Adelphi University.

The student-athlete and/or its representative shall resolve any conflicts that result in Adelphi’s denial of the NIL activity and resubmit the proposed NIL opportunity for additional review and/or approval. Adelphi may deny NIL activity that conflicts with this Policy, including but not limited to NIL activities that would:

1. Cause the student-athlete to violate a Team Contract;
2. Cause the student-athlete to violate Adelphi’s student handbook or code of conduct;
3. Conflict with an existing Adelphi contract or sponsorship;
4. Reasonably be judged to cause financial loss or reputational damage to Adelphi as determined in Adelphi’s sole discretion;
5. Require actions by the student-athlete during team activities;
6. Require actions by the student-athlete during scheduled classes;
7. Use Adelphi’s name, brand, copyrighted materials, trademarks, service marks, symbols, nicknames, trade dress, insignia, mascot, uniform styles, colors, imagery, campus landmarks, or other intellectual property or indicia without approval;
8. Require the student-athlete to display a sponsor’s product, logo, brand, or other indicia, or otherwise advertise for a sponsor, during official team activities; or
9. Require the student-athlete to display a sponsor’s product, logo, brand, or other indicia, or otherwise advertise for a sponsor, at any time where such sponsor is a competitor of, or offers products or services within the same category as a sponsor of Adelphi.

If Adelphi denies a proposed NIL contract, Adelphi will disclose to the student-athlete or the student-athlete’s representative the basis for the denial. Adelphi is not required to disclose any financial terms of its own contracts unless otherwise required by law.

Failure to fully and accurately disclose an NIL opportunity may result in the loss of athletic eligibility, suspension or removal from an athletics team and/or cancellation of an athletics scholarship.

Adelphi shall have no liability to any student-athlete, noninstitutional entity, professional service provider, vendor, contractor, or agent as a result of a student-athlete’s participation in NIL activities.

Use of Adelphi Facilities

Student-athletes may request use of Adelphi facilities for NIL purposes (ex: camps, clinics, photo shoots). Use of Adelphi facilities for NIL activities must be authorized and approved in advance. If authorized and available, standard rental fees, insurance requirements and a fully executed rental agreement will be required. Authorized use of Adelphi’s facilities for NIL activities shall not be construed as an endorsement by Adelphi of the NIL opportunity or any product associated with that opportunity. Further questions and information can be obtained in the athletics department via the Assistant AD for Facilities and Game Operations.

Adelphi Intellectual Property

Student-athletes will not be permitted to use Adelphi’s intellectual property, including its trademarks, logos, or symbols, in any manner associated with or related to NIL activities without the prior written approval of Adelphi. Adelphi student-athletes may request use of the Adelphi marks and logos. Requests are to be made through the compliance office in the athletics department via an ARMS form when submitting your NIL approval workflow. Approval to use Adelphi marks and/or logos shall be limited to the specific NIL opportunity and is not a waiver of Adelphi’s intellectual property rights.

Student-athletes may not use photos or videos created by the Athletics Department or photos or videos that contain Adelphi intellectual property for NIL purposes without prior written approval from Adelphi.

Financial Aid

NIL earnings could result in a student-athlete no longer qualifying for need-based financial aid such as Pell Grants. More information on need-based aid can be obtained from the One-Stop Student Services Center.

An Adelphi athletic scholarship that provides the cost of attendance is not compensation under this Policy, and Adelphi will not revoke, reduce, or condition a student-athlete’s scholarship because the student-athlete earns NIL compensation or obtains legal or athlete agent representation in connection with NIL matters.

International Student-Athletes

International students should consult with the International Student Office prior to engaging in NIL opportunities as it may impact their VISA status.

Tax Obligations

Student-athletes are solely responsible for any federal, state, and local tax, withholding, reporting, and other obligations arising from NIL compensation, including New York State and City income tax obligations applicable to income earned or activities performed in New York. Student-athletes are encouraged to consult a qualified tax advisor regarding their individual NIL tax obligations.

Reservation of Rights

Adelphi University reserves the right to use student-athletes’ NIL to the extent and in the form determined in the institution’s sole discretion, at any time for its advertising and marketing related to Adelphi University’s athletic, academic and promotional interests. Any contractual provision in a contract between a student-athlete and a third-party, including but not limited to sponsors or athlete agents, in conflict with this provision is null and void.

Enforcement

Any student-athlete who fails to comply with this policy or any relevant New York State, federal or NCAA rules, may be subject to disciplinary measures in accordance with Adelphi’s policies. Violations may result in roster removal and scholarship termination or other punitive or legal action.

Document History

• Last Reviewed Date: October 6, 2026
  
• Last Revised Date: October 6, 2026
  
• Policy Origination Date: September 01, 2021

Who Approved This Policy

Senior Leadership Council