Oregon NIL Laws: Rules for College and High School Athletes

Oregon’s NIL Evolution

Oregon’s NIL landscape is defined by proactive legislative foresight (the Royalty Mandate), divergent institutional strategies between UO and OSU, and permissive high school rules that contrast with prohibitionist states like Indiana.

Oregon has emerged as a singular laboratory for NIL innovation. Senate Bill 1505’s unique “Royalty Mandate” requires producers of jerseys, video games, and trading cards to pay royalties to student-athletes—a statutory entitlement found in no other state. The University of Oregon (Big Ten) pioneered the Division Street agency model backed by Phil Knight, while Oregon State leverages a $255 million “War Chest” from the Pac-12 dissolution. High school athletes can monetize under OSAA’s permissive “unaffiliated” framework. Here’s the complete guide to Oregon NIL laws.

Senate Bill 5 (June 29, 2021) — Foundation:

• Initial enabling legislation for Oregon NIL
• Prohibits institutions from penalizing athletes for NIL earnings
• Allows athletes to retain professional representation
• No pay-for-play; no enrollment inducements

Senate Bill 1505 (March 2022) — “Royalty Mandate”:

• UNIQUE TO OREGON: Statutory requirement for royalty payments
• Producers of jerseys, video games, and trading cards MUST pay royalties to athletes
• Converts negotiated contractual terms in other states into statutory entitlement in Oregon
• Positioned Oregon athletes to maximize EA Sports College Football and trading card earnings

“Sovereign Shield” Strategy (2024-2025):

• Extends sovereign immunity to cover NIL administration
• Actions authorized by state law constitute “state action” protected from federal antitrust
• Protects UO and OSU endowments from future class-action lawsuits

House v. NCAA Settlement (2025):

• Direct revenue sharing authorized (~$20.5 million annual cap)
• Cap escalates annually
• Both UO and OSU committed to full participation

High School Status — OSAA Permissive Framework:

• NIL permitted under “unaffiliated” standard
• No school logos, uniforms, facilities in NIL content
• Collective Sponsorships Policy updated September 2024
• More permissive than Indiana (prohibition) or North Carolina (mandatory education)

Why Oregon Matters:

SB 1505’s Royalty Mandate is unique nationally—statutory entitlement to royalties from jerseys, video games, and trading cards. Division Street represents the most sophisticated marketing agency model in college sports. OSU’s $255M “War Chest” from Pac-12 dissolution funds full revenue sharing despite “Pac-2” status. Oregon operates self-sustaining athletics with no tuition subsidies or state tax dollars.

Oregon College NIL Rules

Oregon college athletes benefit from the nation’s most proactive legislative framework, including statutory royalty entitlements and sovereign immunity protections.

What Oregon Law Guarantees:

• Statutory royalty payments from jersey, video game, and trading card producers
• Institutions cannot penalize athletes for NIL earnings
• Athletes can retain professional representation
• Sovereign immunity extends to NIL administration

University of Oregon (Big Ten) — “University of Nike” Model:

• Self-sustaining athletic department: NO tuition subsidies or state tax dollars
• Exploring “Talent Fee” surcharge on ticket sales (pioneered by Tennessee at 10%)
• Division Street: Industry-leading marketing agency founded by Phil Knight and alumni
• “Ducks of a Feather” strategy: Product-based revenue (Nike sneaker drops, GOAT collaborations)
• “What the Duck” Dunk Lows and limited-edition apparel generate sustainable commerce
• “Flying Formations” NFT campaigns diversify digital revenue
• Revenue from commerce, not charity—avoids donor fatigue

Oregon State University — “War Chest” Strategy:

• $255 million “War Chest” from Pac-12 dissolution settlement
• Running ~$30 million annual budget deficit (loss of Power Five media payouts)
• War Chest funds full $20.5M revenue sharing despite “Pac-2” status
• Recruiting pitch: Compensation at Big Ten/SEC levels through 2026
• Calculated gamble: Spending reserves to maintain relevance for future Power Conference invite

OSUnited — Blueprint Sports Partnership (August 2025):

• In-house agency model replacing fragmented collective approach
• Blueprint Sports acquired Dam Nation Collective
• Full-time on-site executives manage NIL operations
• Synchronizes NIL fundraising with broader capital campaigns

International Student Restrictions (F-1 Visa):

• F-1 visas prohibit off-campus “active employment”
• “Active” NIL (commercials, autograph signings in U.S.) = unauthorized employment
• “Passive” income (video game licensing, jersey royalties) viewed as permissible
• Revenue sharing may be classified as “wages”—ISAs potentially excluded from $20.5M pool
• SB 1505’s royalty mandate particularly benefits ISAs (passive income structure)

Oregon High School NIL Rules

Oregon high school athletes can monetize their NIL under OSAA’s permissive “unaffiliated” framework—more open than Indiana (prohibition) or North Carolina (mandatory education).

Key Facts:

• Governing Body: Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA)
• Status: Permitted with restrictions (“unaffiliated” standard)
• Updated: Collective Sponsorships Policy refined September 2024

What OSAA Allows:

• Commercial endorsements and social media monetization
• Autograph signings and personal appearances
• Camps, clinics, and instructional services
• Product endorsements unaffiliated with school

OSAA “Unaffiliated” Standard:

All NIL activity must be completely disconnected from the member school. Athletes cannot use school uniforms, logos, mascots, or facilities in paid promotions. A photo signing autographs must not show athlete in team jersey or on school field.

Collective Sponsorships Policy (September 2024):

OSAA Executive Board refined oversight on how collectives interact with teams. Designed to prevent disguised recruiting inducements while allowing legitimate NIL activity.

Prohibited Categories (“Vice Exclusions”):

Alcohol and tobacco products; Cannabis (despite Oregon legality); Gambling and sports betting; Adult entertainment; Firearms and weapons. Violation = immediate loss of eligibility.

Oregon vs. Other States:

Oregon (OSAA): Permissive “unaffiliated” standard. Indiana (IHSAA): Complete PROHIBITION—any capitalization = forfeiture of amateur status. North Carolina (NCHSAA): Requires mandatory NFHS education course before any NIL agreement. Arizona (AIA): Similar permissive approach to Oregon.

College vs. High School: Key Differences

Feature	College (SB 5 / SB 1505)	High School (OSAA)
NIL Status	Fully Legal + Royalty Mandate	Permitted ("unaffiliated")
Institutional Pay	Allowed ($20.5M cap)	Prohibited
Statutory Royalties	YES (jerseys, games, cards)	No
Third-Party NIL Deals	Unlimited	Allowed (unaffiliated)
School Logos/Uniforms	Allowed	Prohibited
Collectives	Integrated (Division Street, OSUnited)	Restricted (Sept 2024 policy)
Sovereign Immunity	Yes (2024-2025)	N/A
Pay-for-Play	Prohibited	Prohibited

The Key Distinction: Oregon’s SB 1505 “Royalty Mandate” is unique nationally—statutory entitlement to royalties from jerseys, video games, and trading cards. This particularly benefits international student-athletes who can receive “passive” royalty income. High school NIL is permitted under the “unaffiliated” standard—more open than prohibitionist states like Indiana.

What Oregon Athletes Can Do

College Athletes:

Receive statutory royalties from jerseys, video games, and trading cards (SB 1505); Receive direct revenue sharing from institution ($20.5M cap); Sign endorsement deals with brands; Monetize social media accounts; Earn from camps, clinics, and training; Sell autographs and merchandise; Make paid personal appearances; Hire agents and attorneys for NIL contracts; Participate in collective programs (Division Street, OSUnited); Use school logos and uniforms in NIL content; Receive fan support through platforms like RallyFuel.

High School Athletes:

Sign commercial endorsements (no school affiliation); Monetize social media; Earn from autograph signings; Conduct paid camps, clinics, and instructional services; Build personal brand separate from school; Prepare for college NIL opportunities.

What Oregon Athletes Cannot Do

College Athletes:

Cannot accept pay-for-play (compensation contingent on athletic performance); Cannot accept enrollment inducements (NIL conditioned on attending specific school); International students (F-1 visa): Cannot engage in “active” NIL while in U.S.—passive royalty income may be permissible.

High School Athletes:

Cannot use school uniforms, logos, mascots, or facilities in NIL content; Cannot accept pay-for-play; Cannot accept NIL as recruiting inducement to transfer; Cannot endorse prohibited categories (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, gambling, weapons, adult entertainment); Violation = immediate loss of eligibility.

Both:

Must pay taxes on NIL income (Oregon has state income tax + federal + self-employment); Must maintain academic eligibility.

Compliance Requirements

For College Athletes:

Disclose all NIL contracts to school compliance office; Claim statutory royalties under SB 1505 (jerseys, video games, trading cards); Work with Division Street (UO) or OSUnited (OSU) for professional representation; Check for conflicts with existing school/conference sponsorships; File taxes on all NIL income (expect 1099 for $600+); International students: “Passive” royalty income from SB 1505 may be permissible—consult international student services.

For High School Athletes:

Maintain strict “unaffiliated” separation from school; NEVER use school logos, uniforms, facilities, or mascots; NEVER accept pay-for-play or recruiting inducements; Avoid all prohibited categories (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, gambling, weapons, adult); Be aware of Collective Sponsorships Policy (September 2024) restrictions.

For Parents:

For college: Review all contracts before your athlete signs; Understand SB 1505 royalty entitlements (unique to Oregon); Oregon has state income tax—set aside 30-35% for taxes; For high school: Ensure strict “unaffiliated” compliance—no school branding; Cannabis endorsements prohibited despite Oregon legality; Be aware of September 2024 Collective Sponsorships Policy; Consider consulting an attorney for significant deals.

How Fans Support Oregon Athletes

Oregon has passionate college sports fans—from Autzen Stadium to Reser Stadium—and now they can directly support athletes through NIL.

College Athletes:

Platforms like RallyFuel enable Oregon fans to support athletes at:

• University of Oregon – Big Ten
• Oregon State University – Pac-12 (rebuilding)
• Portland – WCC
• Portland State – Big Sky
• All sports, not just football and basketball

How It Works:

1. Create an account on RallyFuel.com or the mobile app
2. Select your Oregon school affiliation
3. Browse verified athletes currently on your program’s roster
4. Fuel athletes you want to support
5. Track your support through your fan dashboard

How It Works: When you purchase Fan Fuel, you’re purchasing Conditional NIL Engagement Rights (CNERs). If conditions are met, RallyFuel or its affiliate offers an NIL Agreement to the athlete. If conditions aren’t met—for example, if an athlete transfers—you receive an automatic refund.

Conditional Protection: RallyFuel’s conditional model protects Fan Fuel with automatic refunds if athletes transfer or conditions aren’t met. Oregon fans can support players without financial risk.

Important: Fan support through RallyFuel is voluntary and conditional. Fuel purchases are not charitable donations. RallyFuel is not a guarantor that any athlete will accept an NIL Agreement. Purchasing Fan Fuel does not guarantee athletic performance, playing time, or any specific outcome.

High School Athletes:

Oregon high school athletes may pursue NIL opportunities in their individual capacity under OSAA’s permissive framework. Athletes must maintain strict “unaffiliated” separation from school identity and avoid all prohibited categories.

Learn More About the NIL Landscape

Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.

RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.

Visit RallyFuel

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Oregon’s “Royalty Mandate”?

Senate Bill 1505 (March 2022) creates a statutory requirement—unique to Oregon—that producers of jerseys, video games (like EA Sports College Football), and trading cards MUST pay royalties to student-athletes. In other states, royalties are negotiated contractual terms. In Oregon, they’re a legal entitlement. This particularly benefits international student-athletes who can receive this as “passive” income.

Can Oregon high school athletes do NIL?

Yes, under OSAA’s permissive “unaffiliated” framework. Athletes cannot use school logos, uniforms, mascots, or facilities in NIL content. Cannabis is prohibited despite Oregon legality. This is more open than Indiana (complete prohibition) or North Carolina (mandatory education requirement).

What is Division Street?

Division Street is the industry-leading NIL collective/marketing agency for University of Oregon, founded by Nike co-founder Phil Knight and other prominent alumni. Unlike donation-based collectives, Division Street generates revenue through commerce: limited-edition Nike sneaker drops (“What the Duck” Dunks), GOAT collaborations, and “Flying Formations” NFT campaigns. Revenue from commerce, not charity—avoids donor fatigue.

What is OSU’s “War Chest”?

When the Pac-12 dissolved, Oregon State and Washington State successfully litigated to retain control of ~$255 million in conference assets. OSU uses this “War Chest” to fund full $20.5M revenue sharing despite running a ~$30M annual deficit from lost Power Five media payouts. This is a calculated gamble: spend reserves to maintain competitive relevance for future Power Conference invitation.

Do Oregon athletes pay taxes on NIL income?

Yes. All NIL income is taxable. Oregon has state income tax (4.75-9.9% graduated). Athletes also owe federal income tax and self-employment taxes. Combined, taxes can consume 30-40% of gross earnings. SB 1505 royalties are also taxable.

What happens if an athlete I supported transfers?

If an athlete transfers or selects a different school during the conditional period, you receive an automatic refund to your original payment method. No manual request is required.

Oregon: The NIL Innovation Laboratory

Oregon has emerged as a singular laboratory for NIL innovation. SB 1505’s “Royalty Mandate” creates unique statutory royalty entitlements found in no other state. Division Street represents the most sophisticated marketing agency model in college sports, generating sustainable commerce rather than relying on donations. OSU’s $255M “War Chest” funds full revenue sharing despite Pac-2 status. High school athletes benefit from OSAA’s permissive “unaffiliated” framework.

For college athletes ready to maximize their NIL potential, RallyFuel provides fan-powered support with conditional protection. Explore verified Oregon athletes and start fueling today.