University of North Carolina Athletics
Name, Image And Likeness
The college athletics landscape has evolved significantly over the past several years, including the introduction of Name, Image and Likeness opportunities available to student-athletes. At Carolina, we support these efforts and encourage Tar Heels to utilize their NIL in ways that strengthen the relationship between UNC, the local community and our fans. Three multi-sport collectives provide our student-athletes with NIL opportunities that are vitally important to our success and competitiveness, and we appreciate and value those who have already contributed to these efforts.
Now, it’s your turn to find out how you can help Carolina Athletics succeed. Below are links to NCHOF, Heels4Life and Secondary Break Club, as well as links to purchase jerseys and memorabilia from your favorite Tar Heels. Our student-athletes are increasingly looking for new and innovative ways to benefit from their NIL, and we hope you will consider contributing to those opportunities now and in the future.
Name, image, and likeness is a rapidly changing area of college athletics. Please contact the UNC NIL team with any questions at uncnil@unc.edu.
“As dedicated Tar Heels, football needs your support to stay competitive and raise the bar. Supporting the Heels4Life NIL collective is our greatest fundraising need and the most significant tool we have to make a positive impact within our program over the next three years and the foreseeable future."Football head coach Mack Brown
College athletics is such a transformational experience for those inside the lines and for those that love this University from the stands. Supporting the Hall of Fame is a critical and impactful piece of the current landscape in college athletics. Now more than ever our women’s basketball program needs your support in fundraising consistent with the championship-caliber program that we are dedicated to achieving. Your support will make us better!Women's basketball head coach Courtney Banghart
"Secondary Break Club was created to help our Carolina student-athletes find opportunities to utilize their name, image and likeness in service-oriented ways. Carolina Basketball has long believed in giving back to others – that’s at the core of our program -- and NIL gives us the chance to enhance that focus.”Men’s basketball head coach Hubert Davis
"When I was a student-athlete, NIL opened doors, provided opportunities and sparked relationships that I otherwise wouldn’t have experienced. It allowed me to help spread awareness about the sport of Field Hockey while sharing the excellence of Carolina to a wider audience. As a coach, I know NIL can be a game-changer, especially for Olympic sports and women’s sports, and I encourage our fans to contribute in order to support UNC’s broad-based program.”Field hockey head coach Erin Matson
NCAA Interim Name, Image And Likeness Policy
NCAA college athletes now have the opportunity to benefit from their name, image and likeness. All three divisions have adopted a uniform, interim policy suspending NCAA name, image and likeness rules for all incoming and current student-athletes in all sports. The policy provides the following guidance to member schools, college athletes and their families:
- Individuals can engage in NIL activities that are consistent with the law of the state where the school is located. Colleges and universities may be a resource for state law questions.
- Individuals can use a professional services provider for NIL activities.
- College athletes who attend a school in a state without an NIL law can engage in NIL activity without violating NCAA rules related to name, image and likeness.
- State law and schools/conferences may impose reporting requirements.
More information about the NCAA Interim Policy can be found here.
North Carolina Executive Order
Postsecondary educational institutions’ responsibilities regarding name, image and likeness compensation of student-athletes: North Carolina Executive Order No. 223
UNC Institutional NIL Policy
The University of North Carolina institutional name, image, and likeness policy.
Agent Registration
Any individual who serves as an agent must notify the Athletic Compliance Office prior to contacting a student-athlete with remaining eligibility. Contact includes any communication via text, social media, phone, mail, etc., as well as face-to-face interactions. The North Carolina Uniform Athlete Agents Acts requires that any individual acting as an athlete agent in North Carolina, unless exempted, be registered with the Athlete Agent Registration Office.
UNC Trademarks and Licensing
In order for a business, third party entity, or student-athlete to make a commercial use of the University’s name or any of its other marks, they must obtain written permission through a formal contract with the University.
Carolina NIL Exchange
The Carolina NIL Exchange is a student-athlete NIL business registry, custom-designed for businesses, donors, alumni and any other interested NIL dollars wishing to connect with student-athletes.
UNC Student-Athlete Tax and Legal Services
The UNC Tax Center and the UNC Master of Accounting Program partnered with the UNC School of Law and other organizations across the university to provide tax and legal support for student athletes.
International Student-Athletes
International student-athletes may have different restrictions for their NIL activities. International student-athletes are encouraged to contact International Student and Scholar Services before engaging in NIL activities.
NIL Collectives
What is an NIL collective?
- Collectives are commonly founded by alumni and influential supporters to pool resources from donors and businesses to help create school-specific NIL opportunities for SA’s.
- Collectives are INDEPENDENT of the university. They ARE NOT established or operated by individual athletic staff members, athletic departments, or the fundraising entity of an athletics department (e.g., Rams Club).
- Some collectives CAN help facilitate NIL deals for SA’s and create their own ways for SA’s to monetize their brands.
- Institutional staff MAY NOT direct the collective to provide specific SA’s with NIL opportunities.
- Institutional staff MAY NOT provide the collective with information about PSA’s and their potential value to the program.
- NIL agreements between a SA and a collective MAY NOT be guaranteed or promised contingent on initial or continuing enrollment at a particular institution.
- Collectives MAY NOT communicate with a PSA, a PSA’s family, or others affiliated with a PSA for a recruiting purpose or to encourage the PSA’s enrollment at a particular institution.
How does an NIL Collective operate?
- An NIL collective is typically driven by boosters.
- These organizations can be categorized as either for-profit or 501(c)(3) status non-profits.
- Non-profit collectives that obtain 501(c)(3) status under the IRS allow the group to be tax-exempt and potentially allow the benefactors to receive tax deductions for their payments.
- For-profit collectives are typically registered as limited liability company (LLC). A portion of the funds generated remain with the collective and its employees.
- Donor-driven collectives pool together booster and supporter funds to create NIL opportunities for student-athletes. Each group has its own money collection format, with some opting for a subscription model while others welcome one-time payments/donations.
Carolina Partners
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is proud to have a multitude of partners engaged in name, image, and likeness endeavors.
Altius Sports Partners - Altius Sports Partners works directly with all institutional and brand partners to develop best-in-class programs and compliant business verticals for NIL and other emerging topics customized for each client's needs.
BRANDR – BRANDR specializes in developing co-branded college business using group player rights.
Carolina Student Legal Services – Our office collaborates with UNC Athletics, the UNC Law School and the NC Bar Association Sports and Entertainment Law Division to provide limited advice and referrals for UNC students with questions about Name, Image and Likeness contracts.
Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce – The Chapel Hill Chamber of Commerce is home to one of the most diverse, collaborative and growing community of business leaders in North Carolina.
COMPASS – COMPASS is a comprehensive platform that fully integrates educations, disclosure and monitoring into a single solution to help you navigate all your NIL needs.
INFLCR – A platform used for branding for custom NIL programs, with resources for coaches and athletes from their specialized team.
UNC Student-Athlete Development – UNC Student-Athlete Development’s mission is to provide services and cultivate relationships that support UNC student-athletes advancing toward graduation, building character and developing leadership.
UNC NIL Team
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