NCAA Demands Colleges Follow Its Name, Image, Likeness Rules Over State Laws

The NCAA told its member colleges Tuesday that the association could punish them for violating its rules on athletes’ ability to profit off of their names, images or likeness, even if state laws are more flexible. The directive sets up battles with states that have passed legislation challenging the NCAA’s enforcement of NIL-related issues. Arkansas, for instance, approved a law in 2021 forbidding colleges from following sports association and conference policies if those rules interfere with athletes being compensated for publicity rights. Various state laws also allow for fundraising groups separate from colleges to pay athletes for NIL endorsements, but the NCAA stressed this too would infringe on its policy.