NIL glossary
What is revenue sharing in college sports?
Revenue sharing is money a college pays its own athletes directly under the House settlement, up to an annual cap per school, in addition to scholarships and third-party NIL deals.
On this page
In detail
Schools in the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and SEC take part, and other Division I schools may opt in each year. Payments are made under signed written agreements, often as a license to use the athlete's NIL, and are reported by the school in the College Athlete Payment System (CAPS) within five business days. The College Sports Commission says revenue sharing does not make athletes employees.
Frequently asked questions
Is revenue sharing the same as NIL?
Not exactly. Revenue sharing is paid by the school and counts against its cap; third-party NIL deals come from outside the school, have no cap and are reported to NIL Go.
Sources
- Revenue Sharing — College Sports Commission
- Frequently Asked Questions — College Sports Commission
This is general information, not legal advice. NIL rules differ by state, school, association and sport, and they change often. Check the official sources linked on this page and talk with your school's compliance office, your state association or a licensed attorney before you sign anything.