NIL glossary
What is the right of publicity?
The right of publicity is a person's legal right, under state law, to control and profit from the commercial use of their name, image, likeness and other parts of their identity; an NIL deal is a license of that right to a business.
On this page
In detail
Right-of-publicity law varies by state, through statutes, court decisions or both. Several state NIL laws describe athletes' NIL rights in these terms; Arkansas's NIL law, for example, is the Student-Athlete Publicity Rights Act. Using someone's identity to sell something without permission can violate their right of publicity.
Frequently asked questions
Is NIL the same as the right of publicity?
NIL is the college sports term for the same idea: the right to control and be paid for commercial use of your identity.
Sources
- Glossary — College Sports Commission
- Student-Athlete NIL Deals — 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.