State Laws

Illinois was a legislative pioneer but now faces competitive pressure from Missouri’s aggressive “Sign and Earn” model. The Student-Athlete Endorsement Rights Act (2021) established the framework; HB 1175 (2022) pivoted…

Nevada has a unique challenge with non-instructional learning (NIL) as home to the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” Assembly Bill 254 (2021) would provide “light” regulation—protecting athletes but leaving universities…

Montana offers a unique FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) case study in NIL. Senate Bill 248 (signed 2021, effective June 2023) features the “Institutional Agent” exception—universities CAN serve as agents for…

Missouri has constructed one of the most aggressive NIL frameworks in the nation—the “Missouri Paradigm.” House Bill 417 (2023) created the “Institutional Marketing Associate” (IMA) concept, legally merging collectives into…

New Mexico was a pioneer state with Senate Bill 94, the Student Athlete Approval Act (2021), which included unique provisions, including a “Shoe Clause” that allowed athletes to wear their…

Nebraska has constructed one of the most aggressive NIL environments in the United States. The state pioneered NIL legislation with the Nebraska Fair Pay to Play Act (LB 962) in…

West Virginia’s NIL Evolution West Virginia has moved from passive enablement to active protectionism—the 2025 legislative session built a legal fortress designed to insulate athletic assets from external interference. West…

Wisconsin’s NIL Evolution Wisconsin’s strategy is characterized by deliberate legislative silence—relying on constitutional sovereign immunity rather than reactive statutes. This creates institutional flexibility while shielding the University from litigation. Wisconsin…

Arkansas’s NIL Evolution Arkansas has systematically dismantled regulatory barriers through “emergency” legislation, weaponizing state law as a recruiting tool against wealthier SEC rivals. Arkansas has positioned itself as a bellwether…

South Carolina’s NIL Evolution South Carolina’s NIL landscape is defined by aggressive collegiate professionalization combined with a strict legislative ban on high school NIL—creating the widest gap between college and…