COLUMBIA, Mo. – Recent enhancements to the state’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) law will further benefit University of Missouri student-athletes and their ability to capitalize on NIL.
Originally signed into law on July 13, 2021, and amended in spring 2022 and on Thursday, July 6, 2023, the state’s NIL law has several changes, including:
- Allowing individuals employed by, or closely associated with, universities in the state of Missouri to assist with negotiation of NIL deals on behalf of student-athletes.
- Prospective student-athletes who have signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to attend a postsecondary educational institution in the state of Missouri are allowed to earn NIL compensation.
- Postsecondary educational institution in the state of Missouri can establish uniform policies for licensing its intellectual property (logos and photos) to student-athletes pursuing NIL ventures.
- Student-athletes are now permitted to promote events they participate in.
The new law goes into effect on Aug. 28, 2023.
“We are extremely grateful for the hard work of our state legislators to advance all of Missouri’s higher-education institutions through this NIL amendment,” Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois said. “This amendment will provide our schools and our current and future student-athletes with the flexibility needed to remain competitive, as the State of Missouri continues to lead the way in the modern-day evolution of intercollegiate athletics. We look forward to the next steps in this important process.”
“I want to thank our state lawmakers for their support of student-athletes across the state of Missouri,” Football Head Coach Eliah Drinkwitz said. “This bill represents another step forward in allowing us to be extremely competitive in the NIL landscape. We are excited about what that means for Mizzou Football.”
“Our men’s basketball program is thankful for the continued support from state leaders and their commitment to enhancing NIL legislation,” Whitten Family Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dennis Gates said. “Providing our student-athletes with the best possible opportunities is our number one priority at Mizzou. This new legislation will help our players maximize their value as we strive to win championships on the court and in the classroom.”
“I am very grateful for all the time, energy, and hard work by so many to help us navigate through uncharted territory with NIL opportunities for our student athletes,” Women’s Basketball Head Coach Robin Pingeton said. “It is so important that we continue to evolve with a rapidly changing climate in college athletics.”
NIL fundraising efforts will now function through the Tiger Scholarship Fund. All donors can make tax-deductible donations directly to TSF and be earmarked for sport-specific NIL funds. Donors should consult their tax advisor before taking any deduction.
The Tigers have been innovators in the space since the original NIL law was signed.
Over the past year, the Mizzou Marketplace powered by Opendorse launched, MU created a first-of-its-kind ticket-sales opportunity, signed a partnership with the Brandr Group for group co-branded licensing opportunities and collaborated with Fanatics, One Team Partners and Rally House for student-athlete specific merchandise. Additionally, athletics teamed with the St. Louis Sports Commission to offer student-athletes a chance to serve as ambassadors for the Mizzou To The Lou series of athletic events.
The evolution continues as the Department will partner with a third-party NIL branding agency to develop, support and take advantage of these opportunities.
The new legislation clarifies that student-athletes are not employees and must continue to disclose their NIL deals, but those deals are not subject to open-records requests. The amendment also strengthens university requirements to provide additional educational sessions (at least one per semester), including financial literacy, time management, and entrepreneurship.
To learn more about how to participate, visit TSFMizzou.com/NIL.
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