The landscape of college athletics is changing fast, thanks to the new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations. With the College Sports Commission (CSC) stepping in, there’s a sense that things are getting more organized—at least on paper.
But let’s be honest, the road ahead looks complicated. Schools now have to deal with the NIL Go platform and the College Athlete Payment System (CAPS), trying to keep up with all the compliance hoops.
This blog takes a look at where NIL regulation stands right now. We’ll also get into the CSC’s role and wonder a bit about what’s next for college sports.
The Role of the College Sports Commission (CSC)
The College Sports Commission (CSC) was set up after the House settlement. Its job? Oversee compliance and enforce NIL rules.
The CSC keeps an eye on two main platforms:
- NIL Go – This is the main hub for all collegiate NIL deals.
- College Athlete Payment System (CAPS) – Schools use this portal to report if they’re joining the settlement’s revenue-sharing setup.
CSC’s task is to monitor what happens after the settlement and make sure everyone sticks to the new rules. Still, if you look around, college athletics sometimes feels like a free-for-all.
Challenges in NIL Regulation
Stories about transfer-portal drama, tampering, and big money flying around to lure athletes are everywhere. The CSC responded on January 9, 2026, sending a letter to schools with “serious concerns” about how NIL and revenue-sharing are playing out.
They warned that vague promises of third-party NIL money—without a real plan—could put student-athletes in a tough spot. It’s not hard to see why they’re worried.
Compliance Mandates: What Institutions Need to Know
The CSC’s letter doubled down on some key compliance rules:
- Reporting Threshold – Any third-party NIL deal worth $600 or more has to be reported to NIL Go within five days.
- MMR Partnerships – If a student-athlete signs with a school’s multimedia rights (MMR) partner, it counts as an NIL contract and must be reported—even if the partner hasn’t found sponsors yet.
- Disclosure Labeling – If a company pays a student-athlete for their NIL, the agreement needs to be disclosed, no matter what it’s called.
- Direct Activation – NIL deals with related entities have to directly activate the student-athlete’s NIL rights.
The CSC also made it clear: they’re already investigating unreported third-party NIL deals. That sounds like they’re not messing around.
University Participation Agreement
On January 14, 2026, the presidents of Arizona, Georgia, Virginia Tech, and Washington put out a joint statement. They urged schools to get behind and sign the University Participation Agreement.
They admitted it’s not perfect but said it “provides a viable mechanism to turn the House settlement from principle into practice.” Maybe not a ringing endorsement, but it’s something.
Enforcement and Legal Challenges
Even with that statement, it’s hard not to wonder: can the CSC actually enforce these rules? Sure, there are rules on the books, but will the NCAA and CSC be able to hand out penalties and make them stick?
State NIL laws, antitrust concerns, and judges keeping a close watch all complicate things. There’s a lot up in the air.
Federal Legislation and Legal Battles
Federal bills like the SCORE Act are stuck, and collective bargaining isn’t really moving. So, where does that leave everyone?
Honestly, it looks like a lot of this will end up in federal court, not conference boardrooms. Schools need to be ready for just about anything.
- They’ll have to play by rules that keep changing, but still try to stay competitive.
- Taking big swings with NIL comes with real risks.
- It’s crucial to make sure internal reporting and disclosure are handled right—no shortcuts.
The Future of NIL Regulation
No one really knows where NIL regulation is headed. The CSC’s put down some guidelines, but whether they can truly enforce them is still a big question mark.
Schools are stuck balancing the pressure to win with the need to play by the rules. It’s a tricky spot, and, honestly, it doesn’t look like it’ll get easier anytime soon.
Preparing for the Future
Institutions would be wise to get ready for a range of possible outcomes. It’s not exactly a simple landscape out there.
- Keep an eye on changes in NIL regulations. They seem to shift when you least expect it.
- Make sure you’re meeting all reporting and disclosure requirements. No one likes surprise paperwork.
- Have a plan if legal challenges or enforcement actions pop up. It’s better to be ready than caught off guard.
The establishment of the College Sports Commission (CSC) marks a pretty big moment for NIL regulation in college sports. Still, it’s clear the road ahead won’t be easy for anyone involved.
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