I hope they do this correctly. TSSAA is sending all kids of updates to coaches about the rules. They aren’t making it easy on the athletes. They sent us this today.
TSSAA Amateur Rule FAQ
1. Can an athlete post a link to a business they are receiving payment for sponsoring if there are references to the school in their social media profile where the link appears?
No. References to the school or pictures depicting the athlete in their uniform may not appear in the post containing a link to the sponsoring business.
2. Can a coach or other school official facilitate, coordinate, promote, or negotiate an NIL agreement for a student-athlete enrolled at his/her school?
No. A school can provide generic educational materials or advice regarding the factors that should be considered before entering into an NIL deal but should never be involved with coordinating, facilitating, promoting, or negotiating agreements for student-athletes.
3. Can a booster club or other school support organization make payment to a student-athlete for the use of his or her name, image, or likeness?
No. Payment from a school booster club could reasonably suggest the endorsement or sponsorship of the TSSAA school.
4. Can a school or school support organization distribute money for services to a student through a Name, Image Likeness Collective?
No. School association with a collective would be considered express or implied sponsorship or endorsement of the activity.
5. If an athlete wishes to give private lessons or run a mini camp using school facilities and advertises the lesson or camp, is he/she in violation of the Amateur Rule by mentioning the school as the host site in the advertisement?
Yes. Students may receive payment for activities not related to performance provided that they are carried out in a manner that does not suggest the endorsement or sponsorship of a TSSAA school. To avoid the inference or suggestion that the school endorses or sponsors the activity, the school should not be mentioned in the advertisement. The student may, of course, inform those who contact him or her about the location of the lessons or camp, but that location – if it is a member school – should not be mentioned in any advertisement. If a student is using a school’s facility for instructional purposes, he or she should be treated the same as any member of the student population regarding usage agreements, fees, etc.
6. Are there limits as to how much an athlete can make from an endorsement or sponsorship?
No.
7. Are there limits as to how much an athlete can charge for giving lessons or putting on a camp?
No.
8. Can a coach of a school assist an athlete who is giving lessons or putting on a camp?
No. A coach’s assistance would reasonably suggest support or endorsement by the school.
9. Are there restrictions as to the types of businesses athletes can sign NIL agreements with?
Not at this time.
10. Would it be a violation if an athlete and his/her family were offered a residence as a result of an NIL agreement after he/she had enrolled in and attended a school?
This would be a recruiting violation if a school was involved.
11. Does a school have to document its athletes’ NIL activities?
Not for the purposes of TSSAA. However, school officials may wish to maintain an awareness of those activities in order to ensure that the activities do not suggest the endorsement or sponsorship of the school.
12. If a coach is contacted by a community member seeking a pitcher/receiver/setter/etc. to provide lessons to their child, could the coach direct them to one of his/her players?
No. A coach directing someone to one of his/her players for this purpose would reasonably suggest endorsement or sponsorship of the school.