BYU AD Tom Holmoe Sent Letter To Student-Athletes Outlining NIL Policies

PROVO, Utah – BYU Athletics is embracing the new Name, Image and Likeness landscape that has historically arrived in college sports.

Thursday marks the first day where student-athletes can profit off their name, image and likeness. Bringing to a halt the long-standing amateurism rules within the NCAA.

The NCAA’s policy on NIL is currently being classified as an interim policy while they continue to work with Congress on a national legislation.

Interim or not, a new era in college sports is here.

With a new era upon them, BYU AD Tom Holmoe issued a letter to all of BYU’s student-athletes and staff laying out the policies for how to take advantage of NIL.

The policies laid out by Holmoe in the letter include the following guidelines.

• Compensation for NIL activities must be within fair market value.
• Student-athletes may not be compensated for athletic accomplishments (e.g., pay-for-play)
• Student-athletes may use BYU or athletic department related marks and logos, including all aspects of the uniform, only after those rights have been secured through a formal agreement granting specified rights. While you may not use marks or logos in your NIL activities right now, additional information on how to secure such rights is forthcoming.
• Student-athletes may not enter into NIL agreements with companies, businesses, causes or products that do not conform to the BYU Honor Code Standards. Some examples of such prohibited areas include, but are not limited to, alcohol, tobacco, gambling, adult entertainment, coffee, etc.
• Student-athletes must comply with BYU Honor Code Standards, including the University Dress & Grooming Standards, while engaging in NIL activities.
• Use of institutional facilities, including athletic department facilities, is prohibited at this time.
• In order for us to best assist you, all student-athletes must have NIL agreements reviewed by the athletics administration prior to engaging in the NIL activity. Disclosure forms are enclosed in this policy.

BYU has stayed proactive the past year so they would be ready for when the NIL era arrived.

Last month, BYU announced the Built4Life program to serve as an education opportunity for BYU’s student-athletes on compliant NIL integration.

BYU is also partnered with Opendorse, a sports technology company, that helps athletes maximize their marketing potential.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.