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By Nilay Upadhyayula
Published August 29, 2025
NIL Compliance Update: High School Deal Reporting Proposed
In a new regulatory move, the NCAA is proposing a requirement for incoming Division I athletes and JUCO transfers to report all NIL deals from their junior and senior years of high school to the NIL Go clearinghouse.
Why this matters:
- Student-athletes could face post-enrollment compliance issues related to deals made before they even joined a D-I program.
- These retrospective disclosures stem from the NCAA’s broader effort to centralize NIL governance following its latest settlement.
Expect more scrutiny—and more paperwork—at the intersection of high school NIL deals and college eligibility.
Major Apparel Deals Signal New NIL Era
South Carolina Signs $75M Deal With Nike
The University of South Carolina just signed a 10-year, $75 million contract with Nike, replacing its long-term Under Armour partnership. The deal includes:
- $5 million in cash
- $70 million in Nike product
- Built-in NIL opportunities for athletes
South Carolina’s not alone. Tennessee recently finalized a 10-year Adidas deal, also with an emphasis on NIL access. Apparel brands are now competing not just on performance gear—but on NIL potential as a recruitment tool.
Brand Management Tip: Plan Ahead for NIL Deal Approvals
Delays with the NIL Go platform mean athletes and their reps need to factor in approval windows before going public with any new endorsement or licensing deal.
Pro tip: Build buffer time into every agreement and stay in regular communication with compliance officers to avoid last-minute issues.
Deals can be lost at the finish line if paperwork isn’t cleared in time.
Markets Pull Back After Summer Rally
After several weeks of gains, U.S. stock markets took a breather this week. Here's the breakdown:
- Investors await signals on a possible Federal Reserve rate cut in September
- Tech stocks stayed strong
- “Safe” sectors like healthcare and utilities slipped
- Banking and small-cap stocks underperformed
What student-athletes can learn:
Even strong growth periods are followed by slowdowns. That applies to markets, branding, performance, and NIL momentum.
Consistency and patience win over time.
Finance Term of the Day: The Federal Reserve (a.k.a. “The Fed”)
The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the U.S.—think of it as the coach of the economy. It sets interest rates, manages inflation, and stabilizes the financial system.
Why You Should Care:
- When the Fed cuts rates → Loans become cheaper (car loans, mortgages)
- When the Fed raises rates → Borrowing costs go up, but savings accounts pay more
As an athlete managing income, branding, and future financial decisions, Fed policy impacts everything from your student loans to investment options.
Stay ahead of the latest shifts in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) — from game-changing legislation to brand strategy tips for student-athletes.
