Franklin College

Franklin College Name, Image and Likeness Policy

As of July, 2021

As of July 1, 2021, student-athletes may have the opportunity to benefit from their name, image and likeness (NIL).  College athletes who attend a school in a state without explicit NIL law can engage in this type of activity without violating NCAA rules.  However, there are some important limitations and specifics that athletes should be aware of in order to maintain eligibility for college athletics.

Before excepting any form of compensation or agreeing to anything in principle, students must report NIL activity to the Franklin College Athletic Department.  A review of the activity will be conducted, and a student will receive one of three responses.  Those responses include:

1. An acknowledgment that the NIL activity does not violate institutional policy or NCAA rules
2. A warning that the NIL activity may violate an institutional policy or NCAA rule; thus, potentially compromising one’s eligibility
3. A request for additional information

Again, all NIL activity must be reported.  To do so, students can fill out the following online form:

Click [HERE] to report NIL activity

When considering any NIL activity, student-athletes should consider the following:

• Compensation must be within fair market value and must be for actual work/services performed.
• The College and/or staff members may not compensate or arrange compensation to a current student-athlete (SA) or prospective student-athlete (PSA) for their NIL.
• Representatives of Athletics Interests (“Boosters”) may only compensate or arrange compensation to a SA or PSA if such compensation is with a business/company in which the Booster has a direct relationship (owner, employee, etc.)
• Compensation may not be provided to a SA/PSA in exchange for athletic performance or attendance at Franklin College.
• The expectation is that NIL compensation opportunities will not conflict with academic or team related activities.
• SA’s/PSA’s are currently not allowed to use the College’s brand, image, logos, or wordmarks to promote individual NIL benefits
• SA’s will not be permitted to enter into NIL agreements with
• • gambling/sports wagering vendors
  • any vendors associated with athletic performance enhancing drugs
  • adult entertainment products/services
  • alcoholic beverages
  • tobacco products
  • weapons/firearms.
• The use of athletic department facilities are not allowed and will require approval in advance by the Director of Athletics (may include but not be limited to location agreements, waiver of liability forms, and rental fees).
• The duration of a contract for representation of SA or compensation for the use of NIL should extend only through participation in an athletic program at Franklin College.
• SA’s may secure representation (agent or lawyer), ONLY for NIL and NOT for future professional athletic contract negotiations.
• SA’s cannot have entered into any such written or oral agreements for NIL prior to 7/1/2021.
• SA’s under the age of 18 years will need to have parent/legal guardian approval prior to entering into any contract for compensation for his or her NIL.
• International SA’s should not enter into any NIL agreements without the guidance from Franklin College officials to guard against any potential immigration issues.
• Pell Grant or need based financial aid could be impacted based on compensation from NIL. Questions about financial aid should be directed to the Financial Aid office on the Franklin College campus
• Personal tax implications may exist.  SA’s are encouraged to consult a tax advisor.
• Franklin College employees are prohibited from assisting student-athletes in evaluation of NIL agreements and are prohibited from facilitating any communication between student-athletes and a party seeking an NIL agreement.

NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS, WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (PDF)