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March 2024 Luncheon Recap

Posted by [email protected] on Mar. 28, 2024  /  Subscribe 0

Thank you to everyone who attended our event today. Our March luncheon, titled "Championing Change" delve into the exciting world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) campaigns in collegiate athletics. With the game-changing introduction of NIL legislation, athletes are emerging as the new MVPs of influence. 

Our guest speakers, Kellie Booth and Tricia Dunlap and moderator, Christina Dick chatted about the intricacies of NIL and how PR professionals have the chance to step onto the field by strategically championing student-athletes.  Christina Dick is a PR agency expert in NIL Campaigns and shared her PR strategies and social media tactics tailored specifically for NIL campaigns, including McDonald's partnership with UVA Athletics and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Kellie Booth is a representative from an NIL Collective, Cavalier Futures and shared with us collaborative opportunities to connect student-athletes to support your brand, company, or cause. Tricia Dunlap shared legal perspectives and insights on navigating the complex legal landscape surrounding NIL agreements and contracts.

Today's luncheon discussed the NCAA prohibition that was set aside years ago in support of student athletes and since laws have been passed for these athletes to receive compensation for their NIL. Dunlap shared with us that "NIL is a form of intellectual property", and "these athletes have to think of themselves of business owners and know how to protect themselves." 

Some key takeaways for pr practitioners included:

• A written license has to be in place with student athletes
• Every state has their own laws/restrictions surrounding NIL licensing
• Specifically, Virginia does not allow the use of marks/logos in advertising without the school's permissions
• Schools (colleges and universities) also have their own restrictions 
• There is no Title 9 protection under NIL
  

Our panelists today provided a great discussion about the new, yet ever-changing climate of NIL. 

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