The Louisiana Legislature’s task force on name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals for student-athletes has put forth significant recommendations aimed at regulating NIL activities for high school athletes.
These proposed regulations cover areas like agent activities, sponsorships, and what students can do during school hours.
The recommendations are meant to protect young athletes and provide clarity on NIL activities.
With the legislative session set to begin in March 2025, these proposals could become law by late 2025 or early 2026.
Expanding the Definition of Agents and Mandatory Training
The task force wants to expand the definition of an agent, including anyone involved in securing NIL deals for high school athletes.
This move is supposed to bring more transparency and accountability to the NIL process, at least in theory.
They also suggest that the Louisiana Attorney General require background checks and mandatory training on NIL activities for all registered agents.
These steps are expected to protect young athletes from exploitation and make sure agents actually know the legal and ethical sides of NIL deals.
Parental Consent and Industry Restrictions
One key recommendation is that minors need parental consent before signing sponsorship deals.
The idea is to keep parents involved in decisions about their kids’ NIL activities, which just makes sense.
The task force also wants to ban NIL deals with certain industries, like adult entertainment and alcoholic beverages.
It’s a move to protect the interests and well-being of young athletes, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that logic.
Protected Trust Accounts for Minors
To add another layer of protection, the task force recommends putting a portion of NIL compensation into a protected trust account for minors.
This is similar to laws for child actors and is meant to help ensure minors can access their earnings once they’re adults.
It’s about financial security and preventing anyone from misusing funds earned through NIL activities.
Regulating NIL Activities During School Hours
The task force also suggests regulating what NIL-related work students can do during school hours and at school events.
They want to balance educational responsibilities with NIL opportunities, which is easier said than done.
By setting guidelines, the hope is to keep NIL activities from interfering with schoolwork and other commitments.
Further Study of College Athletics Funding
There’s also a push for a separate study group to look at how athletics departments at Louisiana’s public colleges and universities are funded.
LSU’s football program brings in enough revenue to support its other sports, but most other state universities are losing money.
The task force wants to explore sustainable funding solutions for college athletics programs, which definitely seems overdue.
Impact of Title IX Considerations
The task force stresses the importance of considering Title IX when creating NIL policies and revenue-sharing models.
Title IX requires equity in educational access, including athletic scholarships that match the gender balance in enrollment.
It doesn’t require equal spending on men’s and women’s programs, but the task force says universities need to update their NIL policies by August 2026 to stay compliant.
Legislative Timeline and Implementation
The proposed NIL legislation is expected to be filed in the regular legislative session starting March 9 and ending June 1, 2025.
If it passes, the new laws would likely go into effect in August or January of the following year.
State Rep. Tehmi Chassion, D-Lafayette, and Rep. Rashid Young, D-Homer, are expected to play big roles in moving the legislation forward.
The task force also points out that support from Gov. Jeff Landry and Republican legislators will be important for getting the laws passed.
Educational Initiatives and International Athletes
The task force recommends that universities educate student-athletes about mental health and set policies that keep international athletes from engaging in NIL deals until there’s federal guidance.
International student-athletes, who need visas to attend school in the U.S., aren’t allowed outside employment or income-generating activities.
Getting involved in NIL deals could put their legal status at risk, so for now, universities are urged to play it safe.
Revenue Sharing and Financial Support
This summer, a federal judge approved a settlement in the case *House v. NCAA*. Now, schools can pay their student-athletes directly.
Many colleges, even those that don’t turn a profit from athletics, will still pay players to keep up with the competition. Louisiana schools like LSU, Grambling, Northwestern, Southeastern, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette are all in on revenue sharing.
The task force wants these schools to update their NIL policies by August 2026. The idea is to make sure they’re following the new rules.
For more details, you can check out the full article on the Louisiana NIL task force proposed regulations.
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