Athletics Veritas is a weekly series aimed at helping higher education executives, faculty, and other stakeholders stay tuned in on trending national issues impacting college athletics, especially NCAA Division I. Athletics Veritas is created by senior DI athletic administrators around the nation.
Term-In-Ology: Student-Athletes Promoting and Endorsing Political Candidates
Not catching anyone off-guard by reminding our readership that Election Day is this Tuesday. As we continue vetting student-athlete name-image-likeness (NIL) matters, the question comes up: If, and to what extent, may student-athletes promote and endorse political candidates under NCAA rules?
NCAA rules hold that student-athletes may endorse or promote political candidates provided they do not receive expenses for appearances, speaking engagements or other activities related to the promotion of political candidates and are not obligated to make any time commitments.
We have seen in recent presidential campaigns student-athletes getting involved in politics through endorsements or campaign appearances. These appearances sometimes necessitate subsequent clarifications to the media that the student-athletes’ positions represent their individual beliefs and not necessarily those of their team or school.
To that point, NCAA policies suggest that the following disclaimer be utilized in any press releases containing student-athlete names tied political campaigns: "The student-athletes are acting as citizens of the state, and do not necessarily represent the views of their institutions of higher education or the NCAA." A separation of athlete and state, of sorts.
Politics is another arena that could be impacted by the deregulation of NCAA NIL policies. Student-athletes may consider pursuing more visible (and potentially compensable) campaign rally and ad appearances on behalf of political candidates.
Athletics Veritas is presented for information purposes only and should not be considered advice or counsel on NCAA compliance matters. For guidance on NCAA rules and processes, always consult your university’s athletics compliance office, conference office, and/or the NCAA.
