Can someone clarify/explain NIL rules regarding communication with potential recruits

It’s pretty simple- a school wants a player all they have to do is tell a rich donor to give that player money. That’s pretty much it

NIL has nothing to do with the school. In theory.

quote:

---

Same way they enforce recruiting dead periods

---

Which is?

NCAA NIL Policy

quote:

---

It seems really obvious, so I hate having to ask, but are businesses allowed to contact potential prospects BEFORE they sign with a school? It would seem like the NCAA could place restrictions on communications between athletes and anything to do with NIL deals until after they've committed to a university...is something like this in place?

---

Depends on the business. If the business, or someone representing the business, either/or, is considered a booster the loophole you are noting doesn't exist.

Boosters are not supposed to give gifts or benefits or contact a recruit. A civilian non-booster can.

Now, keep in mind, the NCAA definition of a booster is very wide and liberal. So almost any business that would NIL a LSU recruit probably meets one or more definition of a booster and it becomes impermissible contact/benefits.

But you are right in one thing- the NCAA has not clarified or reconciled if contacting for an NIL deal (which the NCAA has now acknowledged they can not interfere with or block) are "booster contact" overlap or are independent of each other.

My guess that is intentional by the racketeering experts in Indianapolis so that they can pick and choose when to apply booster rules and when to call it NIL contact. That way the business has to kick up to them also to avoid getting their NIL school and player busted.

quote:

---

NIL has nothing to do with the school. In theory.

---

In theory... except in the condition above when the NIL participant is also meeting the very broad definition of a booster. That has always been the bridge. Hence why the best way to "maximize" (*wink & nod*) the NIL rules is to form a new, unconnected, non-profit and use that as the conduit for NIL money to avoid being called a booster (or having to "sponsor" programs for the NCAA otherwise known as 'kicking up')

quote:

---

It went from legislation to approval to implementation so quickly that the rules and guidelines have yet to be put in place, much less made uniform and enforceable by the NCAA.

---

This happened because they had no choice due to Court Rulings. In addition, prior to those rulings, 28 states passed NIL related legislation prohibiting state institutions from limiting NIL licensing for students, athletes or not. All that effectively neutered the NCAA's ability to do anything.