POSSIBLE CHANGES FOR DELAWARE STUDENT ATHLETES IN NIL DEALS
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES MAY SOON BE ALLOWED TO SECURE A PAYDAY FOR THEIR RECOGNITION. THE DELAWARE INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION IS CONSIDERING ALLOWING STUDENTS TO ENTER INTO N-I-L DEALS, ENCOMPASSING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS AUTOGRAPHS, APPEARANCES, AND BRAND PROMOTIONS, A PRACTICE ALREADY PREVALENT AT THE COLLEGE LEVEL. SHORT FOR NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS, AN “NIL” REFERS TO THE WAY COLLEGE ATHLETES CAN RECEIVE COMPENSATION.
THE DIAA DIRECTOR WANTS DELAWARE TO ALIGN WITH SURROUNDING STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA – WHERE NIL OPPORTUNITIES ARE ALREADY PERMITTED. CURRENTLY – DELAWARE STATE REGULATIONS PREVENT AMATEUR ATHLETES FROM ACCEPTING PROFESSIONAL DEALS. THIS INITIATIVE FOLLOWS THE EFFORTS OF STATE SENATOR NICOLE POORE WHO CONVENED A TASK FORCE IN SEPTEMBER TO EXPLORE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WITHIN THE DIAA.
THERE IS OPPOSITION ON SOCIAL MEDIA – EXPRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT ON ACADEMIC FOCUS AND THE CREATION OF A “SHOW-OFF” CULTURE. THE DIAA IS SET TO DISCUSS NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS DEALS IN THEIR UPCOMING MEETING ON FEBRUARY 22ND – WITH ANY CHANGES REQUIRING APPROVAL FROM THE DIAA BOARD, THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND A PUBLIC HEARING.
