Syracuse University recently hosted a panel on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) laws. The event brought together Daniel Greene, John Wolohan, and Dave Meluni at Dineen Hall.
They aimed to educate sport management students, student-athletes, and attorneys on the shifting NIL landscape. Honestly, it felt like a big moment for people trying to figure out where college sports are headed.
The Evolution of NIL Laws
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) has turned college athletics upside down. Back in 1906, the NCAA bylaws flat-out banned student-athletes from getting paid in any way.
The goal was to keep college athletes “amateur.” But as decades passed, things started to shift, slowly but surely.
From Amateurism to Commercialization
In 1984, the NCAA doubled down, saying athletes shouldn’t get paid to protect the spirit of college sports. But by 2012, Daniel Greene—then with Union College’s men’s hockey team—noticed something off.
Parents wanted to buy their kids’ jerseys, but the players didn’t see a dime. Greene couldn’t shake that sense of unfairness, and it pushed him toward NIL advocacy.
Key Legal Milestones
The road to NIL rights is paved with some pretty big legal moments. O’Bannon v. NCAA stands out—Ed O’Bannon, a former UCLA basketball player, took on the NCAA for using athletes’ images for profit.
That case really forced everyone to rethink how college athletes should be compensated.
The First NIL Law
California stepped up in 2019, passing the first NIL law that kicked in by 2023. Suddenly, college athletes could make money from endorsements and sponsorships without risking their scholarships or eligibility.
Florida wasn’t far behind, adding more heat on the NCAA to keep up.
Syracuse University’s Role in NIL Education
Syracuse has jumped in with both feet when it comes to NIL education. Thanks to Dave Meluni, it became the first university to offer an NIL class.
The Syracuse Sport Group even put on the country’s first NIL summit in March. That’s a pretty clear sign of commitment, if you ask me.
Fundraising and Financial Commitments
In February, Athletic Director John Wildhack announced a $50 million fundraising campaign for NIL initiatives. Just two months later, he said the Orange could pay their players up to $20.5 million per year.
Wildhack pointed out that winning programs are the ones that rally their campuses, fans, and communities. Makes sense—money talks, but so does support.
The Panel Discussion
The Dineen Hall panel brought Greene, Wolohan, and Meluni together. Greene, now teaching sport law at SUNY Cortland, opened by laying out the NCAA’s long history with amateurism.
He gave some context on how NIL laws have changed and why it matters now.
Greene’s Insights
Greene stressed the need for education in the NIL world. He said everyone in college sports should understand NIL laws to stay on the right side of things.
His advice hit home for students and athletes looking to break into the field.
Meluni’s Contributions
Dave Meluni has more than two decades in sports, starting as a Division III baseball player at Ithaca College. He’s now a leading voice in NIL education.
He pointed out that 65 to 72% of NIL deals involve social media. It’s clear—digital platforms are driving this new era in college sports.
The Future of NIL and College Sports
The NIL landscape is still shifting. There’s talk about college athletes one day being considered employees of their schools.
If that happens, it could really change the entire business side of college sports. Hard to say exactly where it’ll go next.
Legal and Legislative Considerations
John Wolohan, who’s been teaching sport law for over 30 years, talked about how crucial it is to understand the legal and legislative side of NIL. He thinks these factors will shape what’s next for college sports.
Empowering the Next Generation
One of the main points from the panel? Students and athletes need to feel equipped to handle the NIL landscape on their own terms.
Syracuse University keeps hosting educational events and seminars. The goal is to boost awareness and keep pushing for excellence in NIL.
For more details, you can check out the full article on the Daily Orange.
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