In the ever-shifting world of college sports, the latest Deal Flow Report from the College Sports Commission (CSC) offers a fresh look at Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Paired with recent third-party NIL guidance, the report gives athletic departments some much-needed direction as they figure out the post-House enforcement landscape.
The numbers in this report say a lot about both the sheer volume and value of these deals. There’s also some interesting data on how efficiently the centralized review system, NIL Go, is working, and which sports are actually benefiting from NIL opportunities.
Overview of the Latest NIL Deal Flow Report
The CSC’s latest Deal Flow Report points out some key trends in NIL deals. As of now, 17,321 deals have been cleared through NIL Go, adding up to over $127 million.
Just since the last update in November, 5,146 new deals got the green light. That’s nearly $40 million right there. The pace is picking up, and it seems like NIL deals are becoming a normal part of college sports.
Key Statistics from the Report
- 17,321 deals cleared cumulatively through NIL Go.
- Total value of these deals exceeds $127 million.
- Since November, 5,146 new deals worth nearly $40 million have been approved.
- More than 10,800 unique student-athletes have had at least one cleared deal.
- 44% of these athletes are from sports outside football or men’s basketball.
It’s clear from these figures that NIL deals aren’t just for the big-ticket sports.
Rejection of NIL Deals
Not every deal makes it through. The CSC has turned down 524 deals, which would have totaled about $14.9 million.
The main reasons? They usually come down to a lack of valid business justification, no real NIL activation, or compensation that’s just not market-based.
- Lack of valid business justification
- Failure to show actual NIL activation
- Proposed compensation not being market-based
For athletic departments and student-athletes, it’s a reminder to keep deals tight and well-documented. Otherwise, you’re asking for compliance headaches.
Efficiency of NIL Go
Some folks were worried NIL Go would slow everything down with all the manual reviews. Turns out, it’s faster than many expected:
- 52% of deals are resolved within 24 hours of complete submission.
- 73% of deals reach resolution within a week.
If you’ve got your paperwork in order, deals move pretty quickly. That’s good news for everyone involved.
Impact on Various Sports
The CSC data shows NIL activity isn’t just about football and men’s basketball. Sure, those sports bring in the most money, but 44% of athletes with cleared deals are in other varsity sports.
That’s a big deal for athletes who don’t usually get the spotlight. It suggests a real push for equal access to NIL opportunities.
Third-Party NIL Deals and Compliance
The CSC recently reminded Division I athletics directors about third-party NIL deals, especially after news like LSU’s proposed $3.5 million guarantee to QB Brendan Sorsby through Playfly Sports. They laid out some clear guidelines to keep things compliant:
- Third-party NIL deals paying athletes $600 or more must be submitted to and cleared by NIL Go.
- Compensation must reflect a valid business purpose and actual NIL activation.
- Early reporting is critical to avoid compliance risks.
- Contracts must specify how the athlete’s NIL is going to be used.
The CSC is keeping a close eye on third-party offers, especially those tied to transfers or retention incentives. They’re making sure everything lines up with the House settlement’s terms.
Arbitration Cases and Administrative Issues
By the end of the year, there were only 10 arbitration cases, and eight of those were later withdrawn. All of them came from one school, and the administrative issue there has been sorted out.
The low number of arbitration cases suggests most NIL deals are going through without much trouble. That’s got to be a relief for everyone navigating this new territory.
Conclusion
The latest Deal Flow Report from the College Sports Commission dives into what’s happening with NIL deals in college sports. It’s a pretty thorough snapshot of how things are shifting and which sports are actually seeing benefits.
The data shows more folks are accepting and executing these deals. The NIL Go review process seems to be running smoothly, which is honestly good news for everyone involved.
Centralized review and enforcement? That’s likely to matter even more as the NIL world keeps changing. It could be what keeps things fair for student-athletes, but time will tell.
Want to dig deeper or check out past reports? You can find more at Business of College Sports.
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