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Poster Session 3, 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM: Room 165 [D12]

Presenter: Kody DeCoff

Faculty Sponsor: Michael J. Harrison

School: Framingham State University

Research Area: Business & Economics

ABSTRACT

As the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) competitive landscape continues to be left unregulated within collegiate athletics, a “wild west” scenario has begun to emerge. When NIL rights were first introduced in 2021, following the NCAA’s suspension of its longstanding amateurism rules, college athletes were now permitted to profit from their personal brand for the first time ever. While this change created newfound economic opportunities, it also produced a fragmented regulatory landscape. To determine if a uniform federal framework would better support fairness, competitive balance, and legal clarity regarding NIL, this study aims to examine whether NIL compensation for collegiate athletes should be governed by federal legislation rather than the current state-by-state regulatory framework we see now. Methodologically, this study proposes a mixed-methods approach. First, a legal analysis will compare existing state NIL statutes to identify inconsistencies and regulatory gaps. Second, qualitative interviews with administrators in the athletic field will assess perceived challenges under the current system. Third, quantitative analysis of recruiting trends and NIL deal distribution will evaluate whether state-level variation correlates with competitive imbalances. Analysis of state-by-state governance will determine if regulatory uncertainty and compliance burdens disproportionately affect smaller institutions. Additionally, it may be suggested that federal legislation could enhance overall transparency in NIL transactions. Although federal legislation would not eliminate all inequities in collegiate athletics, a cohesive national framework would likely provide greater consistency and more effective oversight, not just at the Division I level but at all levels as well.