Michigan Legislation Moves to Shield College Athletes’ NIL Rights
As Michigan athletes increasingly gain from marketing their name, image, and likeness (NIL), new legislation in Lansing seeks to protect these rights from interference by universities and other entities. The potential earnings from NIL deals for athletes in Michigan can amount to millions, although most deals are more modest in value.
Recent developments, however, might significantly impact these earnings. The resolution of the House v. NCAA antitrust lawsuit earlier this month is set to change the landscape. The settlement, which addresses multiple suits against the NCAA and its member institutions, awards $2.8 billion in back pay to athletes who were previously denied the opportunity to profit from their NIL between 2016 and 2024.
Additionally, the settlement introduces a framework for future revenue sharing, allowing schools to compensate athletes directly for their NIL rights. It also proposes new roster limits to replace the existing scholarship limits. However, a contentious clause involves the creation of a special commission to evaluate the deals available to student-athletes, a move that has not been well-received by NIL advocates.
Ramogi Huma, executive director of the National College Players Association, voiced concerns that this commission could financially impact athletes, stating, “If such violations of Michigan’s NIL law do take place, it could cost Michigan college athletes tens of millions of dollars in NIL compensation each year.”
Thomas Dieters, board president of Charitable Gift America, which facilitates NIL agreements, also criticized the commission’s potential impact. “School administrators and coaches are very quick to negotiate their own seven figure contracts without a third party determining their value,” Dieters remarked, “Students should have those exact same rights.”
Former Michigan State University athlete and NFL player Joe Tate, who is now running for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat in 2026, has proposed a bill to prevent interference in athletes’ NIL negotiations. His bill aims to empower student athletes to capitalize on their NIL without interference from schools or other bodies. Tate emphasized, “One of the things that this legislation looks to do is not only protecting student athletes in their ability to take advantage of their name, image, and likeness — also empowering them.”
The University of Michigan Athletics department has not commented on the proposed legislation.
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