Ad Disclosure
LSU has become the first program in the SEC, and the second program nationally, to join forces with Altius Sports Partners to advise the program on the implementation of name, image and likeness compensation guidelines.
According to a press release from the school, the company “will provide the educational support needed to manage imminent NIL changes that will allow student-athletes to earn compensation and gain greater control over the marketability of their careers.”
Previously, student-athletes were unable to profit off of their likenesses, with schools facing penalties if one of its athletes had been found to have done so willingly or unwillingly. However, the NCAA has begun to lay the groundwork to give student-athletes the green light to do so, via endorsements and the like. It is working on “guardrails,” though, to provide proper regulations as to how NIL regulations will be enacted.
Divisions 1, 2 and 3 have until Oct. 31 to submit their finalized NIL proposals, with a target date of Jan. 31 to have them implemented. As those dates draw closer, SEC schools will need to prepare for what is to come, with LSU beginning to lay the groundwork now.
We’ll see how many SEC teams sign on with similar NIL groups in the coming months.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
