Name, image and likeness at Wichita State

College athletics changed significantly in June 2021 with the adoption of NCAA legislation allowing student-athletes to benefit financially from their name, image and likeness, usually known simply as NIL. 

Recently, NIL collectives have become a popular topic as people try to understand and adapt to the new environment for college athletics and Wichita State University’s association with these collectives.  

NIL background 

An NIL collective is a legal entity external to and independent of the institution formed by fans and supporters of college sports and for the sole purpose of generating NIL opportunities for student-athletes. 

While the collective is not affiliated with the university, it is expected to work with the university and athletic department to ensure NCAA compliance for the student-athletes and the institution. 

Other rules for NIL include: 

  • Student-athletes (including recruits) can engage in NIL Activities that are consistent with the laws of the state where the school is located.
  • Student-athletes can use a professional services provider for NIL activities.
  • NIL cannot be used as a recruiting inducement (I.e., compensation for NIL Activities cannot be contingent on enrollment at a particular institution).
  • NIL cannot be paid on a performance-related basis (I.e., pay-for-play).
  • All NIL Activities must be quid pro quo: there must be an exchange of goods for services for compensation related to one’s NIL. 

What Wichita State is doing 

As all universities learn more about NIL and the changing landscape of this new policy, Wichita State will continue to adjust — working with colleagues and advisors to adopt best practices for the benefit of our student-athletes and to remain in compliance with NCAA rules. 

Last summer, Wichita State established an NIL Working Group to inform policy development, and that group has continued its work this spring as the NIL environment has evolved. 

One of the ways Wichita State started working with student-athletes was with the formation of ALTITUDE in August 2021. ALTITUDE, supported by Opendorse, is a comprehensive student-athlete development program designed to prepare student-athletes to positively influence their brands and platforms in the “name, image and likeness” world.  

Through Opendorse, Wichita State provides student-athletes with custom brand value assessments, live consultation sessions with industry leaders, and on-demand access to the NIL Masterclass, an education series featuring experts on brand building, monetization and financial literacy from leading brands including Instagram, Twitter, the Players' Tribune and Overtime. 

Wichita State continues to fully support our student-athletes and their right to monetize their name, image and likeness. The university’s approach to NIL will continue to evolve as a program in accordance with all applicable rules, regulations and bylaws, and we look forward to working within our community as opportunities develop in support of our student-athletes. 

For more information on WSU's NIL efforts, visit https://goshockers.com/nil


The information on this page is accurate as of May 2, 2022.  Comment on this topic.