The evolving landscape of college sports has taken a big turn with the latest guidance from the College Sports Commission (CSC) on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) enforcement.
As the transfer portal heats up, the CSC’s strict oversight is changing how NIL deals are put together and reported.
This moment feels pretty critical for athletes, universities, and the third-party collectives all trying to make sense of the NIL marketplace.
Let’s take a look at what the CSC’s new regulations actually mean for college sports.
The Rise of NIL and the Transfer Portal
Since the House settlement, the NIL marketplace has become a fast-moving and, honestly, pretty lucrative part of college sports.
The transfer portal now lets athletes switch schools more easily—almost like free agency—and NIL deals have become a major factor in where players end up.
The CSC’s recent guidance is all about making these deals more transparent and compliant, pushing for real, legitimate use of a student-athlete’s name, image, and likeness.
Understanding the CSC’s New Guidance
In January 2026, the CSC sent out a formal reminder: any third-party NIL agreement over $600 needs to be reported through the NIL Go platform.
These deals are supposed to be for actual promotional services, not just guaranteed paychecks.
The CSC is actively investigating unreported or non-compliant NIL deals, especially those linked to recruiting through the transfer portal.
They’re trying to standardize oversight and cut down on recruiting that’s really just about inducements.
A report from January says the CSC has rejected almost $15 million in NIL agreements since July 2025—about 10% of the total value they’ve reviewed.
Why? The main reasons include:
- Lack of a valid business purpose
- Trying to “warehouse” players’ NIL rights for later
- Pay that doesn’t match what similar athletes get
The Impact on Athletes and Universities
The CSC’s tough enforcement measures really matter for athletes and universities.
For athletes—especially in football and men’s basketball, who make up 56% of approved deals—there’s more scrutiny on every NIL agreement.
If an athlete disagrees with a CSC decision, they can take the dispute to arbitration, which at least gives them a way to fight back.
Challenges for Universities and Collectives
Universities and third-party collectives are also dealing with the new NIL rules.
Many programs are putting together multi-million-dollar NIL proposals with collectives and sponsors, hoping to attract top talent through the transfer portal.
This just shows how college athletics is shifting—open-market competition for athletes is now the norm.
But the CSC’s growing enforcement role brings up some tough antitrust questions.
More centralized review of NIL contracts—especially around “valid business purpose,” activation rules, and reporting—could face pushback if it looks like it’s limiting athlete pay or favoring schools over independent groups.
The Future of NIL Enforcement
As the NIL marketplace keeps changing, the CSC’s job enforcing compliance is only going to get more important.
Their recent public warning about potential enforcement actions for non-compliant deals signals a move toward stricter oversight.
This could mean more antitrust litigation down the road, especially as player movement speeds up and NIL money keeps rising.
Navigating the Post-House Era
For universities, collectives, sponsors, and athletes, one thing’s for sure: NIL isn’t the wild west anymore.
The CSC’s guidance and enforcement are reshaping the landscape, creating both headaches and new opportunities for everyone involved.
Staying competitive and compliant in this post-House era isn’t easy—expert advice is pretty much a must.
Groups like Buchanan’s NIL and Antitrust Practice can help clients get their bearings and come up with strategies to survive—and maybe even thrive—in the ever-changing world of college sports.
Conclusion
The CSC’s recent guidance on NIL enforcement signals a real shift in how college sports are regulated. With the transfer portal buzzing and NIL deals popping up everywhere, transparency and compliance have never felt more important.
CSC’s strict oversight is already changing how everyone approaches NIL. It’s not just about rules—it’s about new hurdles and, honestly, some unexpected opportunities for athletes, schools, and collectives.
If you’re in the thick of this, staying up to date and maybe even getting some expert advice seems like a no-brainer. The NIL world is evolving fast, and knowing the rules could make the difference between thriving and falling behind.
Curious for more details? Check out the full article here.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
