Checklist to Avoid “Pay-for-Play” and Recruitment Violations

Use this checklist to ensure any NIL opportunity follows NCAA rules and does not jeopardize your eligibility.

✔️ Not Pay-for-Play

• Confirm the NIL deal is not a direct payment for my athletic performance (stats, awards, playing time, wins, etc.).

• Confirm you are not being paid because of how well you play or expected performance.

✔️ Not a Recruitment Inducement

• Did you make sure the offer is not coming from a booster or collective as an incentive to choose a school?

• Was the NIL deal promised during recruitment as a condition of committing or transferring?

• NIL offers cannot be used to sway your enrollment decision.

✔️ No Bribes or Team-Related Promises

• Make sure your NIL deal does not promise playing time, roster spots, jersey numbers, or starting positions.

• The NIL deal should not require you to stay at a school or avoid entering the transfer portal.

✔️ Legitimate NIL Activity

• Being paid for real work (promotion, content, appearances, etc.), not enrollment or performance.

• Compensation being reasonable for the work performed.

• Able to identify the brand, business, or individual behind the offer, and it feels legitimate.

✔️ Eligibility Protection

• NIL violations can jeopardize NCAA eligibility.

• Contact school compliance office if any doubts.