More changes are coming to the NIL laws governing Michigan student-athletes – effective December 31, 2022, House Bill 5217 officially sets parameters for how student-athletes can earn compensation for the use of their name, image, and likeness (“NIL”) in Michigan. Compliance, as we enter this new NIL era, is key. To avoid any institutional conflicts, student-athletes, college and university administrators, and businesses, alike, entering into NIL deals in Michigan must not only ensure the terms of the agreement are compliant with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) rules and regulations but also with the regulations passed in the State of Michigan.

In order to enter into an NIL agreement that abides by all applicable laws and regulations, student-athletes, college and university administrators, and businesses, alike, need to understand how the various NIL laws and regulations work together. To allow all parties to successfully navigate the new landscape of Michigan NIL deals, having a working-knowledge of the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ of House Bill 5217 is key.

As part of Bodman’s ongoing series about the NCAA NIL regulations, below is an introductory checklist for every Michigan student athlete and NCAA Michigan college or university administrator to consider about Michigan’s new NIL laws when engaging in a NIL deal:

Colleges and universities are prohibited from:

• Preventing a student-athlete from competing in intercollegiate athletics because they earned compensation from an NIL deal;
• Preventing a student-athlete from obtaining professional representation;
• Paying a student-athlete compensation directly for the use of their NIL rights;
• Revoking or reducing a student-athlete’s athletic scholarship because they earned compensation from an NIL deal; and
• Entering contracts with sponsors that prevent student-athletes from entering their own, independent NIL deals.

Student-Athletes are:

• Prohibited from entering NIL deals that would require the student-athlete to advertise for a sponsor or display a sponsor’s apparel during official team activities that creates a conflict with a sponsor of the college or university;
• Required to disclose NIL opportunities to designated university officials at least 7 days prior to committing to the opportunity;
• Limited to hiring agents and attorneys licensed by the State of Michigan;
• Not granted any right to use the name, trademark, service marks, logos, symbols, or any other intellectual property of their university, athletic association, conference, or any other organization; and
• Required to follow their university’s academic requirements, team rules, and disciplinary standards.

Not sure if House Bill 5217 affects your school? In the state of Michigan, the following NCAA Michigan schools will be affected by Michigan’s NIL law as of December 31, 2022:

D1

• Central Michigan University
• University of Detroit Mercy
• Eastern Michigan University
• University of Michigan
• Michigan State University
• Oakland University
• Western Michigan University

D2

• Davenport University
• Ferris State University
• Grand Valley State University
• Hillsdale College
• Lake Superior State University
• Michigan Technological University
• Northern Michigan University
• Northwood University
• Saginaw Valley State University
• Wayne State University

D3

• Adrian College
• Albion College
• Alma College
• Calvin University
• Finlandia University
• Hope College
• Kalamazoo College
• Olivet College NAIA

NAIA

• Aquinas College
• Cleary University
• Concordia University, Ann Arbor
• Cornerstone University
• Lawrence Technological University
• Madonna University
• Rochester University
• Siena Heights University
• Spring Arbor University
• University of Michigan–Dearborn

NJCAA

• Alpena Community College
• Bay de Noc Community College
• Delta College
• Glen Oaks Community College
• Gogebic Community College
• Grand Rapids Community College
• Henry Ford College
• Jackson College
• Kalamazoo Valley Community College
• Kellogg Community College
• Kirtland Community College
• Lake Michigan College
• Lansing Community College
• Macomb Community College
• Mid Michigan Community College
• Mott Community College
• Muskegon Community College
• Oakland Community College
• St. Clair County Community College
• Schoolcraft College
• Wayne County Community College District