Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)

I. Scope:

This policy applies to all George Mason University (“University”) employees, contractors, volunteers, students, and prospective students, regarding the use of a Prospective Student‑Athlete’s or a Student-Athlete’s name, image, and likeness (“NIL,” as further defined below).

 II. Policy Statement

The Mission of the University’s Intercollegiate Athletics Department is to inspire and transform lives through the power of sports.  Consistent with National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”), Atlantic 10 Conference (“A10”), Mid-American Conference (“MAC”), and Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (“EIVA”) requirements, Virginia law, and the terms of the structured settlement in House vs. NCAA, Student-Athletes may receive Compensation for the use of their NIL.  This NIL policy sets forth requirements and prohibitions to ensure NIL‑related activities are conducted in a manner that is both permissible under applicable authorities and consistent with the Mission of the University’s Intercollegiate Athletics Department.

III. Definitions

Agent: Any individual who, directly or indirectly: (a) represents or attempts to represent an individual for the purpose of marketing his or her athletics ability or reputation for financial gain as a professional athlete; or (b) seeks to obtain any type of financial gain or benefit from securing a prospective student-athlete’s enrollment at an educational institution or from a student-athlete’s potential earnings as a professional athlete.

Associated Entity: (a) An entity that is or was known (or should have been known) to the University’s Intercollegiate Athletics Department staff to exist, in significant part, for the purpose of promoting or supporting the University’s intercollegiate athletics program or Student‑Athletes; and/or creating or identifying name, image and likeness opportunities solely for the University’s student-athletes; (b) An entity that has been directed or requested by the University’s Intercollegiate Athletics Department staff to assist in the recruitment or retention of Student-Athletes or Prospective Student-Athletes, or otherwise has assisted in the recruitment or retention of Student-Athletes or Prospective Student-Athletes; or (c) An entity owned, controlled, or operated by, or otherwise affiliated with an associated individual or an associated entity defined in (a) or (b) above, other than a publicly‑traded corporation.

Associated Individual: (a) An individual who is or was a member, employee, director, officer, owner, or agent of an Associated Entity; (b) An individual who directly or indirectly (including contributions by an affiliated entity or family member) has contributed more than $50,000 during the individual’s lifetime to an institution or to an Associated Entity as defined in  Section III, Associated Entity(a) of this Policy; or (c) An individual who has been directed or requested by the University’s Intercollegiate Athletics Department staff to assist in the recruitment or retention of Student-Athletes or Prospective Student-Athletes, or otherwise has assisted in the recruitment or retention of Student-Athletes or Prospective Student-Athletes.

Compensation: Remuneration or payment in any form,  including cash, credit, cryptocurrency, product, or other benefit. Compensation does not include scholarships provided to Student-Athletes or other benefits provided to a Student-Athlete in accordance with the rules of the NCAA or Conference.

Conference: The athletic conference through which the Student-Athlete’s sport is sponsored.

Name, Image and Likeness (NIL): An individual’s name, image (e.g., picture or video), or likeness (e.g., cartoon, avatar, or sculpture) over which they have control and for which they can require permission and/or Compensation for others to use.

NIL Activity: NIL Activity is any activity that involves the use of a Prospective Student-Athlete or Student-Athlete’s NIL for promotional purposes, regardless of whether such use is compensated or uncompensated.

Professional Service Provider: An individual who provides any of the following professional services to Student-Athletes: (a) advice regarding NIL activities, (b) representation in contract negotiations related to NIL activities, or (c) marketing of the Student-Athlete’s NIL.

Prospective Student-Athlete: A student who has started classes for the ninth grade.

Representatives of Athletics Interests: Also known as “boosters,” are individuals, not employed by or contracted with the University, who support or promote the athletics department/specific athletic programs, assist with recruitment or have provided benefits to Student-Athletes or their families.

Student-Athlete: An individual enrolled at the University, or any other NCAA member institution, who participates in intercollegiate athletics.

Third-Party NIL Activity:  Any NIL Activity where the Compensation is provided by a third‑party, not the University.

IV. Responsibilities

1. Intercollegiate Athletics is responsible for the management and enforcement of this policy. The Athletic Director or designee is responsible for approving all NIL Compensation by the University to Student Athletes or Prospective Student Athletes.
2. All Student Athletes, Prospective Student Athletes, employees, Representatives of Athletics Interests, Associated Entities, and Associated Individuals are responsible for complying with this policy.

 V. Compliance

1. Compensation by University

The University may enter into an agreement with a Student-Athlete or a Prospective Student‑Athlete to provide Compensation for the use of the Student-Athlete or Prospective Student-Athlete’s NIL to promote the University, the Intercollegiate Athletics Department, a University team, Conference, or any other product, service, or entity. The University may not compensate a Prospective Student-Athlete with whom the University has entered an NIL licensing agreement until the Prospective Student-Athlete has triggered Student-Athlete status per NCAA guidelines.

The University shall not enter into an agreement with a Student-Athlete or Prospective Student‑Athlete to provide any Compensation for the Student-Athlete’s status as a member of a varsity team roster, game, or season (i.e., what is commonly referred to as, “pay for play”). And while athletic performance or achievements may enhance a Student-Athlete’s NIL value and thus the amount of Compensation paid for the use of the NIL, the University shall not provide Compensation as consideration for such athletic performance or achievements.

All decisions regarding Compensation to a Student-Athlete must be approved by the Athletic Director or his/her designee, pursuant to Intercollegiate Athletics Department procedure, and documented in an agreement approved by the Office of University Counsel.

2. Compensation by Third-Parties

A Student-Athlete may receive Compensation for Third‑Party NIL Activity as long as such Compensation is provided in exchange for services, activities, intellectual property, appearances or other value actually provided by the Student-Athlete and is not being provided in exchange for athletic participation. A Student-Athlete shall disclose all Third‑Party NIL Activity to George Mason Intercollegiate Athletics by submitting in advance a Name, Image, and Likeness Approval form via the Teamworks Compliance + Recruiting (formerly ARMS) software platform, or by any other method directed by Athletic Compliance Office procedures or directives.  A Student-Athlete must disclose all Third‑Party NIL Activities with Compensation that equals or exceeds six hundred dollars ($600) in aggregate to the NIL clearinghouse.  Such aggregation includes multiple payments from the same or substantially the same party, including any affiliates or parties with common ownership, during the student-athlete’s period of eligibility.  Prior to engaging in Third‑Party NIL Activities with Compensation that equals or exceeds $600 in aggregate, the Third‑Party NIL Activities must undergo review and approval per the NIL clearinghouse’s entity association, valid business purpose, and range of compensation criteria.

Boosters/Associated Individuals and Entities. Representatives of Athletics Interest, commonly and hereinafter referred to as “boosters”, Associated Entities, and Associated Individuals may enter into an agreement with or provide payments to a Student-Athlete provided the agreement or payment terms are for a valid business purpose related to the promotion or endorsement of goods or services provided to the general public for profit, as determined by the NIL clearinghouse. Compensation must be at a rate and terms commensurate with compensation paid to similarly situated individuals with comparable NIL value who are not University Student-Athletes.  University employees may communicate with boosters, Associated Entities, and Associated Individuals regarding NIL opportunities for specific Student-Athletes and may refer Student-Athletes to a booster, Associated Entity, or Associated Individual to discuss NIL opportunities.

Sponsors. Student-Athletes may engage in NIL Activity with sponsors of the University or entities that compete with sponsors of the University with the exception of the category of footwear and apparel. Specifically, University Student-Athletes are required to wear the University’s footwear and apparel sponsor while training or competing on behalf of the University, unless the footwear and apparel sponsor has provided a team exemption due to lack of product or an individual exemption for medical reasons.

Use of University Intellectual Property. Student-Athletes shall not use the University’s name or any other logo, marks, or other intellectual property owned by the University in connection with Third-Party NIL Activity without express written consent of the University. Student-Athletes involved in NIL Activities may generally, and without the use of institutional marks and logos, indicate their status as a University varsity athlete, and identify their team and sport.

Use of University Facilities. Student-Athletes may not participate in a Third-Party NIL Activity in any University facility (athletics or other campus facility) without express written approval following the required University process. Among other requirements to use University facilities, a Student-Athlete must pay the applicable University rental rate and provide all required documentation, such as proof of liability insurance.

Liability. The University is not liable or otherwise responsible to any Student-Athlete, noninstitutional entity that partners with a Student-Athlete, Professional Service Provider or other entity involved with NIL Activity for any conduct, omission, or injury related to any NIL Activity.

3. NIL Activity Requirements

Student-Athletes may utilize the services of a Professional Services Provider for assistance with NIL Activity. Student-Athlete use of Agents for the purpose of obtaining, facilitating, or negotiating NIL arrangements must be consistent with current NCAA rules.

Pursuant to Va. Code §23.1-408.1(F), Student-Athletes shall not earn Compensation for NIL Activity in connection with any of the following:

1. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages;
2. Adult entertainment;
3. Cannabis, cannabinoids, cannabidiol, or other derivatives, not including hemp or hemp products;
4. Controlled substances, as defined in § 1-3401;
5. Performance enhancing drugs or substances such as steroids or human growth hormone;
6. Drug paraphernalia, as defined in § 2-265.1;
7. Tobacco, tobacco products, alternative nicotine products, nicotine vapor products, and similar products and devices;
8. Weapons, including firearms and ammunition for firearms; and
9. Casinos or gambling, including sports betting.

Student-Athletes shall not engage in NIL Activity while participating in academic, official team, or Intercollegiate Athletics Department activities, including class, tutoring, competition, practice, travel, academic services, community service, promotional activities, and other Intercollegiate Athletics Department activities. Student-Athletes shall not miss class or other mandatory academic requirements or required team activities to engage in NIL Activity.

Prospective Student-Athletes may not engage in any NIL Activity that is impermissible for Student-Athletes at the University under this policy.

The University, in its sole discretion, retains the right to disapprove any activity deemed to suggest an endorsement by University or reflects unfavorably upon University and/or University Student-Athletes.

Withholding, Tax, Financial Aid, and Other Obligations. Student-Athletes are responsible for all tax, withholding, reporting, licenses, permissions, permits, expenses, fees and any other obligations, liabilities or costs associated with NIL Activity. Eligibility for need-based financial aid, including the Pell Grant, could be impacted based on compensation from name, image, and likeness activities.

4. University Involvement in Third-Party NIL Activity

The University, including its employees, contractors, representatives and agents, may not:

a. Purchase a Student-Athlete’s work product or service (except that a product or service developed as part of a Student-Athlete’s coursework is not subject to this restriction).

b. Contract with or otherwise knowingly allow any institutional partner or contractor to engage in activity that is impermissible for the institution (g. “pay for play”).

5. Disclosure and Review of NIL Activity

a. Student-Athletes must disclose, via the process described in the accompanying procedures, any Third-Party NIL Activity to the University within fourteen (14) days of the execution of an NIL agreement, and any Third‑Party NIL with an aggregate value of six‑hundred dollars ($600) or more to NIL Go within five (5) day of execution of such NIL agreement.

b. Prospective Student-Athletes must disclose all Third‑Party NIL Activities or agreements to the University that will continue during their enrollment at the University prior to their enrollment. Prospective Student-Athlete must report to the NIL clearinghouse all NIL Activities with Compensation that equals or exceeds six‑hundred dollars ($600) in aggregate that were executed, agreed upon, or include payments after July 1, 2025, or include payments after the first day of their junior year in high school within fourteen (14) days after initial enrollment, or before their first game as a NCAA Division I athlete, whichever occurs earlier.

c. George Mason’s Athletics Compliance Office, in consultation with the Office of University Branding as needed, shall review all Student-Athlete NIL Activity and agreements to determine compliance with the provisions of this policy and NCAA rules, and inform the involved Student-Athlete per the attached procedures.

6. International Student-Athletes

International Student-Athletes shall engage in lawful NIL Activities by the terms of their visa or other immigration status. International Student-Athletes may be limited in their ability to receive NIL Compensation from the University or a third party by the terms of their visa or other immigration status.  International Student-Athletes are responsible for compliance with immigration law and visa requirements, and should consult an immigration attorney for guidance or immigration law applicable to student visas, employment, and NIL activities.

7. Employment Relationship

Student-Athletes are not considered employees of the University under any federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance based on their status as Student-Athletes, regardless of whether the Student-Athlete receives athletics financial aid, signs a National Letter of Intent, signs a scholarship agreement with the University, or receives NIL Compensation (from the University or third-party).

VI. Timetable for Review

This policy, and any related procedures, shall be reviewed triennially.

VII. Amendments

Amendments will be approved by the University Board of Visitors.

VII. Dates
This policy was approved and became effective May 1, 2025.
Revised July 31, 2026