Vermont NIL Laws: Rules for College and High School Athletes

Vermont maintains a “legislative silence”—S.328 died in committee (2020), creating maximum flexibility.

UVM: NO. The Super Team uses the Athlete’s Thread partnership for commercial merchandising.

A “handful” strategy for revenue sharing (target men’s basketball team).

Middlebury/NESCAC: Division III “limiters” — IP lockout (no school grades), “micro-influencer” economy (prices range from $19 to $489). VPA allows NIL in high school with strict “non-affiliation” rule. Tax disadvantage: 8.75% top rate vs. 0% in New Hampshire (“border war”). Here’s the full guide.

The Evolution of NIL in Vermont

Vermont’s “legislative silence” = strategic flexibility. S.328 failed in committee, saving Vermont from the “legislative trap” that had lured early adopters. “Vermont model” = pragmatism over ideology.

NO State Statute NIL — S.328 Not Passed (2020):

• S.328, “Student Athlete Compensation Act,” enacted in 2020
• Sponsors: Senators Parent, Barut, Gardi, Perchlik
• Would add Section 25 to Title 31 (Vermont Statutes)
• Included Protections: Scholarships cannot be revoked for NIL
• Status: Died in committee – never adopted
• Strategic benefit: Avoided the “legislative trap” of early adopters
• There are no restrictive laws that can be repealed (unlike Florida and Alabama)

Tax disadvantage — 8.75% vs. 0% in New Hampshire:

• Vermont: Progressive income tax, top rate 8.75% (income >$242,000)
• Rates for average income level: 6.6% – 7.6%
• New Hampshire: 0% state income tax on wages
• $50K Tax-Free Deal: Vermont ~$1,600-$2,500 vs. $0 in New Hampshire
• UVM needs to pay a 9-10% premium to coaching salaries to match UNH/Dartmouth
• Creates a “border war” for sports talent in northern New England

University of Vermont (UVM) — WITHOUT “Superteam”:

• The state’s only Division I school (America East Conference)
• There is NO equivalent to Mass St./Friends of Heights/Granite State
• Calculated solution: insufficient donor density in the Vermont market
• Rejects the “peddler” model – chooses commercial NUL + institutional exchange

UVM “Thread of an Athlete” Partnership (January 2025):

• Long Tail Revenue Aggregator – Custom Clothing Brand
• ANY student-athlete can participate (democratized opportunity)
• Personalized online store: jerseys, t-shirts, hoodies with name/number
• Athletes receive $20 to $50 in royalties for each product sold.
• Passive income tied to actual market value
• Institutional Control: UVM retains oversight of trademarks

UVM “Zhmenka” strategy — targeted income distribution:

• May 2025: Confirmed intention to participate in the House of Representatives settlement
• Unable to fund the $22 million cap — the reality of the average budget
• “Handful” = direct compensation to a small number of athletes
• Focus on men’s basketball (10 NCAA tournament appearances since 2003)
• Retaining Staff Instead of Hiring: A “Retaining Wall” to Prevent Transfers
• Surgical Application: Pay out value-generating assets (NCAA units, tickets)

UVM “multi-equation” structure:

• Tier 1 (income share class): Starting men’s basketball players, top hockey players
  • Direct institutional checks (semi-professional employees)
• Level 2 (Commercial Class): Popular Non-Profit Sports
  • Athlete’s Thread Partnership (T-shirt Scam)
• Level 3 (Amateur Class): Sports with limited visibility
  • Traditional amateur model (NIL = theoretical right)

Middlebury / NESCAC — Division III Fencing:

• Philosophy: Educational Primacy, “40-Year Solution” over “4-Year Solution”
• “Compliance First” Position – Regulations Emphasize Prohibitions
• “List of vices”: gambling, alcohol, tobacco, adult entertainment, weapons
• IP Address Blocking: Cannot use Middlebury trademarks, logos, or equipment
• Coaches/staff prohibited from facilitating deals (prevents pay-per-play)
• NO to donor groups — NESCAC refuses the “arms race”

The “micro-influencer” economy in Middlebury:

• Opendorse transaction platform
• Robert Barton (tennis): social media posts from $19, appearances from $35, autographs from $28
• Toby Wormack (Trek): Social Media Posts $80-489
• Pocket Money Economy – Hyperlocal Influence, Not Mass Market Glory
• Spending money without changing the amateur experience

Why Vermont matters:

Vermont’s “Legislative Silence” (S.328 died) = maximum flexibility. “Vermont Model” = pragmatism over ideology. UVM: NO collective → “Threads of an Athlete” advertising + “Handful” of institutional exchange.

Middlebury/NESCAC: IP lock-in + “micro-influencer” economy. Tax disadvantage: 8.75% vs. 0% in New Hampshire creates “border war.” VPA allows HS NIL with strict “non-affiliation” rule. No privacy protections (FOIA vulnerability).

NIL Rules at Vermont College

No state statute = governed by NCAA rules and House settlement terms.

Two different models:

UVM (commercial DI + targeted sharing) vs. Middlebury/NESCAC (initially D-III compliant).

What Vermont offers:

• Maximum operational flexibility (“clean slate” — no restrictive laws)
• Revenue sharing allowed (UVM enabled)
• Bans on “pay-to-play” will not be lifted
• Note: Maximum tax rate 8.75% (disadvantage compared to New Hampshire)

UVM infrastructure (the “Zhmenka” model):

• Athlete’s Thread Partnership (commercial merchandising)
• Targeted revenue sharing (focus on men’s basketball)
• Containment Strategy: “Retaining Wall” vs. Displacement Portal
• Without an external team (rejects the “man with bags” model)

Middlebury Infrastructure (Guardrails Model):

• Opendorse platform for micro-influencer deals
• IP address blocking: Cannot use school grades, logos, premises
• Without the assistance of a coach/staff
• No donor groups (NESCAC refused)

NIL rules in Vermont high school

The VPA (Vermont Principals Association) operates on the principle of “protective permissiveness”—recognizing legal rights while maintaining the strict boundaries of the educational environment.

Key facts:

• Governing Body: Vermont Principals Association (VPA)
• Status: Allowed with strict restrictions
• Basic principle: complete “independent” separation from school

VPA “Unaffiliated” rule:

Must monetize NIL as individuals, NOT as school representatives.

No school grades: Cannot wear team jerseys, uniforms, or use school mascots. No school endorsements: Cannot mention school name or VPA in promotional material.

No “pay to play”: Compensation cannot be tied to performance or enrollment. Prevents NIL-based recruitment by private/preparatory schools.

Prohibitions in the VPA vice list:

• Cannot recommend: adult entertainment products/services, alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, vaping products
• CANAPILE (note: Vermont has a legal entertainment market) casinos and gambling, INCLUDING the Vermont State Lottery, firearms and ammunition.
• Gun ban = culturally significant in rural Vermont with strong hunting traditions — school safety is prioritized over local culture.

Winter sports “Safe Harbor”:

Policy protects elite skiers, snowboarders, hockey players. Allows small sponsorships from local gear stores/ski resorts. Prevents accidental disqualification from the program due to receiving free gear or small checks. Supports Vermont’s winter sports economy, where young athletes are bridging the gap between amateur and professional earlier.

College vs. High School: Key Differences

Feature	College (No State Statute)	High School (VPA)
NIL Status	Legal (institutional policy)	Permitted ("Unaffiliated")
State Statute	NONE (S.328 died)	VPA governance
Revenue Sharing	UVM: Yes ("Handful") / MIDD: No	N/A
School Logos/Uniforms	UVM: Yes / Middlebury: No (IP Block)	Prohibited
State Income Tax	8.75% top rate (disadvantage)	8.75% top rate
Vice Industries	Middlebury: Banned / UVM: NCAA	Extensive "Vice List"
Cannabis	Per NCAA rules	Explicitly prohibited
Collective Model	UVM: None / MIDD: None	N/A

Key difference: Vermont’s “legislative silence” (S.328 died) = maximum flexibility. “Vermont model” = pragmatism over ideology.

UVM: NO collective → advertising “Thread of an Athlete” + “Handful” of targeted income distribution.

Middlebury/NESCAC: IP lock-in + “micro-influencer” economy ($19-$489). Tax disadvantage: 8.75% vs. 0% in New Hampshire creates “border war.” VPA “Unaffiliated” rule + explicit ban on cannabis.

What Vermont athletes can do

College athletes (UVM):

• Get ZERO compensation
• Receive revenue sharing if selected (Handful strategy)
• Participate in the “Thread of an Athlete” merchandising (personalized store, royalties $20-50/product)
• Sign advertising deals with brands
• Monetize social media accounts
• Earn money from camps, clinics, and performances
• Get fan support through platforms like RallyFuel.

College Athletes (Middlebury/NESCAC):

• Sign commercial endorsement agreements (WITHOUT school affiliation)
• Use the Opendorse platform for micro-influencer deals ($19-$489 range)
• Monetize social media as a personal entity
• Create a personal brand separate from your school identity
• WITHOUT assistance from coaches/staff
• WITHOUT school signs, logos or premises.

High school athletes:

• Sign commercial advertising agreements (WITHOUT school affiliation)
• Accept small sponsorship deals from local gear stores/ski resorts
• “Safe haven” for winter sports athletes (skiers, snowboarders, hockey players)
• Build a personal brand for college recruitment.

What Vermont athletes can’t do

College athletes (UVM):

• Not recommended: gambling, tobacco, adult entertainment, controlled substances (NCAA rules)
• Foreign students (F-1 visa): cannot engage in active non-indigenous activity (NIL) in the United States
• Note: The 8.75% state tax creates a competitive disadvantage compared to New Hampshire.

College athletes (Middlebury):

• You may not use Middlebury trademarks, logos, or objects in NIL
• Coach/staff mediation is not accepted.
• Cannot support: gambling, alcohol, tobacco, adult entertainment, weapons
• Cannot participate in donor groups (denial from NESCAC).

High school athletes:

• You may not wear a school t-shirt, uniform, or use a school mascot.
• You cannot mention the name of the school or VPA during the promotion.
• Compensation cannot be accepted based on performance or enrollment.
• Cannot advertise: alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, vapes, HEMP, gambling (including the VT Lottery), firearms.

Both:

Must pay Vermont state income tax (progressive up to 8.75%) + federal tax + self-employment tax; Must maintain academic eligibility.

Compliance requirements

For college athletes:

UVM:

• Participate in the “Athlete’s Challenge” if you agree
• Report deals as required by the NCAA
• Understand the “handful” strategy = few people get access to institutional data.

Middlebury:

• Use the Opendorse platform
• Never use school grades, logos, or equipment
• Never accept mediation from coaches/staff
• Avoid vicious industries according to institutional policy.

For high school athletes:

• NEVER have any contact with the school during NIL activities
• NEVER wear a school uniform or use a school mascot
• NEVER mention the name of the school or VPA
• NEVER advertise VPA products, “from the vice list” (especially cannabis – VTA is legal, but HS is prohibited)
• Understand that sponsorships from small gear shops/ski resorts = protected.

For parents:

For college:

• “Vermont Model” = pragmatism (lack of collective infrastructure)
• UVM: Athlete’s Thread ad + Hundful targeted exchange
• Middlebury: IP Lockdown + Micro-Influencer ($19-$489);
• tax disadvantage of 8.75% compared to 0% in New Hampshire
• lack of privacy protection (vulnerability to the Freedom of Information Act).

For high school:

• VPA rule “Unaffiliate” = critical restriction
• cannabis is explicitly prohibited (despite Vermont’s legal market)
• winter sports “safe harbor” = protects skiers/snowboarders, prevents NIL-based recruitment by prep schools.

How fans support Vermont athletes

Vermont has ardent Catamount and Panther fans, and now they can directly support the athletes through NIL.

College athletes:

Platforms like RallyFuel allow Vermont fans to support athletes at:

• University of Vermont – America East (Division I)
• Middlebury College – NESCAC (Division III)
• All sports — hockey, basketball, skiing, lacrosse and others

NIL infrastructure in Vermont:

UVM “Athlete Thread”: Commercial merchandising partnership. Any athlete can join. Personalized online store. Royalty $20-50 per product. Democratized opportunities. UVM “Handful” strategy: Targeted revenue distribution. Focus on men’s basketball. Retaining wall against transfer portal. Middlebury “Opendorse”: Micro-influencer platform. Prices $19-$489. “Pocket money” economy. NO collective infrastructure.

How it works:

1. Create an account on RallyFuel.com or the mobile app
2. Select your Vermont school
3. View verified athletes currently in your program
4. Support the athletes you want to support
5. Track your support through the fan dashboard

How it works: When you purchase Fan Fuel, you are purchasing Conditional No-Entry Entitlements (CNER). If the conditions are met, RallyFuel or its affiliate offers the athlete a NIL deal. If the conditions are not met, for example if the athlete moves to another team, you receive an automatic refund.

Contingency Protection: RallyFuel’s contingent model protects Fan Fuel with automatic refunds if athletes move to other countries or conditions are not met. Vermont fans can support players without financial risk.

Important: Support for fans through RallyFuel is voluntary and conditional. Fuel purchases are not charitable donations. RallyFuel does not guarantee that any athlete will accept the No Donation Agreement. Fuel purchases for fans do not guarantee athletic performance, playing time, or any specific outcome.

High school athletes:

Vermont high school athletes may utilize NIL opportunities under VPA rules as long as they have NO affiliation with their school. Creates a “safe harbor” for winter sports athletes (skiers, snowboarders) who may receive local sponsorship.

Learn more about the NIL landscape

Name, image, and likeness play an increasingly important role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news stories.

RallyFuel is a platform focused on topics related to modern college athletics (NIL). It brings together information about athletes, NIL activities, and the broader structure of modern college athletics, helping readers explore the topic in greater depth.

Visit RallyFuel

Frequently asked questions

Can Vermont high school athletes pass the NIL?

Yes. VPA permits with strict “No affiliation” requirement. No school jersey, mascot, school name mention. No acceptance of payment based on performance or enrollment. “Vice List” prohibitions: alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, CANNABIS (despite legal market in Vermont), gambling (including Vermont Lottery), firearms. “Safe harbor” for winter sports athletes (skiers, snowboarders, hockey players) who accept local sponsorship.

Why doesn’t Vermont have a statewide NIL law?

S.328, “Student Athlete Compensation Act,” introduced in 2020 by Senators Parent, Barut, Hardy, and Perchlik. Died in committee — never passed. Strategic advantage: Avoided early adopter “legislative trap.” No restrictive laws to repeal (unlike Florida and Alabama). “Clean slate” = maximum flexibility. Vermont institutions are only required to follow NCAA rules and federal agreements.

What is the strategy of UVM’s “Handful”?

May 2025: UVM confirms intention to participate in House settlement. Cannot fund $22 million cap (mid-budget reality). “Handful” = direct compensation to small number of athletes. Focus on men’s basketball (10 NCAA tournament appearances since 2003). Retain players instead of recruit: “Retaining wall” to prevent transfers. Surgical application: Pay out value-generating assets (NCAA units, tickets). Combined with “Athlete’s Thread” commercial merchandising for broader roster.

What is the Middlebury “micro-influencer” economy?

Opendorse platform for transactions. Prices: $19-$489 (social media posts, appearances, autographs). Examples: Robert Barton (tennis) $19+ social media posts, $35+ appearances, $28+ autographs; Toby Wormack (track and field) $80-489 social media posts. The pocket money economy is hyperlocal influence, not mass market fame. Spending money without changing the amateur experience. NESCAC has abandoned the “arms race” (no donor groups).

What is Vermont’s tax disadvantage?

Vermont: Progressive income tax, top rate 8.75% (income >$242,000). Rates for middle income: 6.6% – 7.6%. New Hampshire: 0% state income tax on payroll. Deal on $50K tax-free: Vermont ~$1,600-$2,500 in tax vs. $0 for New Hampshire. UVM must pay 9-10% premium on coaching salaries to match UNH/Dartmouth. Creates a “border war” for athletic talent in northern New England. No privacy protections like Massachusetts H.1930 (vulnerable to Freedom of Information Act).

What happens if an athlete I supported transfers?

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

Vermont: The “Green Mountain Model” of Pragmatism

Vermont maintains “legislative silence” — S.328 rejected in committee (2020), creating maximum flexibility without the “legislative trap” of early adopters. “Vermont Model” = pragmatism over ideology. UVM: NO to “Superteam”; uses “Athlete Thread” partnership for commercial merchandising (any athlete can opt in, royalties $20-50/position); “Handful” strategy for targeted revenue distribution (focus on men’s basketball, “retention wall” vs. transfer portal); “tier” structure formalizes economic stratification. Middlebury/NESCAC: “Fence” Division III — IP blockade (no school grades/logos/facilities), no “Vice Presidents’ List,” coaches banned from sponsorships; “micro-influencer” economy via Opendorse ($19-$489 prices). VPA allows NIL in high school with strict “non-affiliation” rule; explicit ban on cannabis despite VT legal market; “Safe Harbor” for winter sports athletes. Tax disadvantage: 8.75% top rate vs. 0% in New Hampshire creates “border war.” Lack of privacy protections (FOIA vulnerability).

For college athletes ready to maximize their potential without injury, RallyFuel offers fan support and conditional protection. Meet Vermont’s proven athletes and start fueling today.