NIL rules by state
Connecticut NIL rules for college and high school athletes
Connecticut college athletes can earn NIL money under Connecticut General Statutes Section 10a-56, which since a 2025 amendment (Public Act 25-1) also lets them be paid through endorsement contracts or revenue-sharing agreements directly with their school, if the school's policy allows it. Connecticut high school athletes can earn NIL money under CIAC rules, without school names or logos and outside banned categories such as alcohol, cannabis, gambling and weapons.
The college law is checked against the General Assembly's research report. The CIAC rule is summarized from news coverage of its adoption; check the current CIAC handbook (Section 4.5.A) for exact wording.
| Level | Rule | Who sets it |
|---|---|---|
| College | Yes: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10a-56 | CGS § 10a-56, as amended by PA 25-1 |
| High school | Allowed with limits | Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) |
Key facts
- College law: CGS § 10a-56 (2021, amended in 2022 and by Public Act 25-1 in 2025).
- Since 2025, an athlete may be paid through an endorsement contract or revenue-sharing agreement directly with the school or an entity acting for it, if the school has a policy allowing it.
- Connecticut schools may not use state appropriations to pay athletes under these agreements.
- Public colleges that share revenue report the total paid and the number of athletes paid each year, starting January 1, 2026.
- Schools must adopt NIL policies that require athletes to disclose agreements and that list prohibited endorsements.
- High school: CIAC added NIL to its amateur rules (Section 4.5.A) in 2022; school names and logos are off limits, and school staff may not be involved except to enforce the policy.
On this page
Connecticut NIL law for college athletes
Connecticut's college NIL law, CGS Section 10a-56, was enacted in 2021, amended in 2022, and amended again by Public Act 25-1 in 2025. As summarized by the General Assembly's Office of Legislative Research, athletes may:
- Earn compensation through endorsement contracts with third parties for the use of their person, name, image or likeness.
- Earn compensation through an endorsement contract or revenue-sharing agreement directly with the school or an entity acting for it, if the school has adopted a policy allowing it.
Schools, or entities acting for them, may create, negotiate and enable NIL opportunities, but may not use state appropriations for athlete endorsement contracts or revenue-sharing agreements. Public colleges may not release athlete compensation records without the athlete's written consent, and those that share revenue must report each year, starting January 1, 2026, the total paid and the number of athletes paid.
Each school must adopt policies that require athletes to disclose and provide copies of endorsement, employment and representation agreements; bar agreements that conflict with the school's own contracts; bar endorsements that interfere with team activities or academics; and identify prohibited endorsements. The law does not require schools to let athletes use institutional marks.
Division I athletes in Connecticut also report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go.
Connecticut high school NIL (CIAC)
The CIAC Board of Control added NIL language to the amateur guidelines in Section 4.5.A of its handbook in 2022, allowing students at CIAC member schools to earn NIL money and keep their eligibility. As reported at the time:
- Permitted activities include commercial endorsements, promotional activities, social media appearances and product or service endorsements, and students may hire an agent or lawyer.
- Students may not use the school's name or logos.
- School employees may not be involved in a student's NIL activity except to enforce the policy.
- Banned categories include adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco and cannabis products, controlled substances, gambling and weapons.
The CIAC advises students to check with the CIAC and the NCAA before signing any NIL agreement so it does not jeopardize amateur status.
Frequently asked questions
Can Connecticut high school athletes get NIL deals?
Yes, under the CIAC's amateur rules (Section 4.5.A), with no school name or logos, no school staff involvement and no banned categories such as alcohol, cannabis, gambling or weapons.
Can Connecticut colleges pay athletes directly?
Yes, since Public Act 25-1 (2025), through endorsement contracts or revenue-sharing agreements, if the school has a policy allowing it. State appropriations may not be used.
Next steps
Sources
- Student Athlete Compensation (OLR Research Report 2025-R-0172) — Connecticut General Assembly, Office of Legislative Research
- Connecticut high school athletes may profit from name, image, likeness after CIAC policy change — Hartford Courant via Yahoo News
- CIAC — Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference
- 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.