NIL at Boise State
Name, Image, and Likeness at Boise State
Boise State’s mission has been to build the most student-athlete-friendly NIL program in the country. We have designed our program centered on three values: advocacy, content, and education.
- Advocacy: Our NIL team is here to provide support for our student-athletes.
- Content: We are putting the keys to success in the hands of our student-athletes.
- Education: We provide our student-athletes with the skills and tools to take this as far as they want to take it. We offer university-sponsored courses with experts on staff.
What is NIL?
The NCAA has created the opportunity for businesses to leverage the marketability and influence of student-athletes. Student-athletes are able to benefit from their platforms.
Sponsorship activations can include, but are not limited to:
- The ability for a brand or business to use an athlete’s NIL attributes to market products and services
- Ability for athletes to serve as a brand ambassador
- Appearing in brand social media posts
- Appearing in paid media campaigns for the brand or business
- In-store appearances
- Autographs
- Wearing branded apparel
- Commission model with the use of a customer discount code
Don’t be afraid to think outside of the box! The more creative the activation, the better!
Main Rules of NIL
1. Quid Pro Quo: Athletes must provide something in exchange for NIL compensation. NIL services can be passive in nature, such as royalties.
2. No “Pay for Play”: Compensation from an NIL contract cannot be dependent on on-field performance and no monetary consideration can be given for milestones, awards, or other athletically-related performance-based metrics.
3. No Recruiting Inducements: No NIL contract can be contingent upon an athlete enrolling at a specific school or playing for a specific team.
4. No Compensation from Boise State: Boise State University entities or employees may not provide compensation to a current or prospective student-athlete for the use of his or her NIL.
NIL Agent/Advisor Registration
A student-athlete must provide the Boise State Athletics Compliance Office with the name and contact information for any athlete agent providing professional representation. The athlete agent must be registered with the Boise State Athletics Compliance Office via the NIL Agent/Advisor Registration Form.
Boise State NIL Exchange - Influencer
The Boise State NIL Exchange is a marketplace for local businesses to execute deals with Boise State student-athletes. It is a one-stop shop for discovery, communication, compliance, disclosure, and financial transactions.
Boise State Marketplace: https://app.inflcr.com/exchange/boise-state-university
How to Propose a Transaction: https://inflcr.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/17957898704916-Propose-a-Transaction
How to Get Involved
Social Media: Post on the student-athletes personal social media accounts promoting the business, brand, or program. Can be a one-time deal or long-term.
Appearance: The student-athlete comes in person to the store or an event
Autographs: The student-athlete can sign autographs at an event or memorabilia.
Advertising in radio and digital: Use the student-athletes NIL in your radio or digital advertising plans.
Apparel: Personalized and/or customized apparel is available to student-athletes.
Much more! The more creative the better!
Social Media Creator Certificate
Boise State University offers an online Social Media Creator Certificate that helps develop content strategies, social media engagement skills, and the ability to analyze an online audience. These highly practical courses often allow students to explore their own brands, causes, and interests. The certificate includes three courses: Name, Image, and Likeness, Creating Digital Value, and Social Storytelling and Leadership.
See the website for more details or contact Dr. Roger Munger at rmunger@boisestate.edu.
Restrictions and Considerations
1. University and employees cannot pay for the use of a student-athletes NIL
a. Example: if a student-athlete starts a camp in town, their coach can pay for their children to attend your camp; their coach cannot pay the student-
athlete to endorse or be the face of a camp that the coach operates.
b. Example: if the student-athlete starts selling merchandise using their NIL, their coaches can purchase the merchandise; the student-athletes’ coaches
cannot pay them for the rights to make those shirts on their behalf.
2. Money will be paid to the student-athlete directly by participating businesses
3. Student Visa restrictions
- For international student-athletes who are in the U.S. on a Student Visa, there are very few instances in which they are allowed to earn an income. As interpretations from the federal government’s immigration office occur, Boise State will provide updates to international student-athletes.
The Horseshoe Collective
What is a collective? A collective operates independently of a university and they help create and facilitate opportunities for student-athletes by pooling funds from boosters and businesses.
The Horseshoe Collective launched in September 2022. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of “raising awareness for local charitable causes by pairing them with community-minded Boise State student-athletes seeking to use their Name, Image, and Likeness to make a positive impact in our community.”
Boise State Athletics is in constant communication with the collective ensuring the efforts are used to benefit the student-athletes at Boise State.
- Website: https://thehorseshoecollective.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horseshoe_bsu/
- Twitter: https://x.com/horseshoe_bsu
Frequently Asked Questions
(Q) How can I get in contact with Boise State student-athletes?
(A) To get in contact with Boise State student-athletes, you can direct message them on their social media accounts or contact them through the Boise State NIL Exchange Marketplace. Or you can reach out to the Boise State NIL team and they can help connect you with the desired athlete.
(Q) How much should I expect to pay a student-athlete?
(A) Each athlete will have different rates. Rates will vary depending on the notoriety of the athlete, the activation, the length of the agreement, and any other variables that are included in the agreement. The student-athlete will be able to provide more details.
(Q) When participating in an NIL deal, is the student-athlete allowed to wear Boise State marks or logos?
(A) You cannot use university logos or marks in NIL activities without approved licensing. Please reach out to the Boise State NIL team if you would like to utilize the Boise State marks and logos.
(Q) What is the best way to submit payment to an athlete?
(A) You can pay the athlete in the form of cash, checks, direct deposit, gift cards, free products or services, and more. To pay through direct deposit, please utilize the payment option on the Boise State NIL Exchange.
(Q) Which activities/categories are prohibited?
(A) Athletes cannot endorse or partner with businesses that endorse alcohol, tobacco, gambling, illegal substances, or banned athletic substances.
(Q) Can I work with international student-athletes?
(A) Please stay in touch with our team as there are constant changes. However, at this time, we ask that international student-athletes refrain from participating in NIL deals.
Student-Athlete Testimonials
“NIL has been a great way for me to get more involved in the community. Building partnerships with companies has taught me so much when it comes to content creation, career development and more. Not to mention, I have created a personal brand on social media through this, where I can showcase my personality and accolades in hopes that companies will want to work with me. I am very grateful that I decided to capitalize on my role as a student athlete through name, image, and likeness!” - Brooke Patterson
“Boise State's NIL team has helped me pursue opportunities I would have never found on my own. They have navigated the complex world of NIL with ease and worked with athletes across all sports. Being a female athlete I greatly appreciate their efforts to connect me with amazing companies and give me the best experience I can have during my time here." - Paige Bartsch
“NIL has given me a great opportunity to connect with the community and meet outstanding individuals off the field. As a local kid, it has allowed me to set a great example to the young athletes that want to pursue college sports as well. I am grateful for NIL, because it gives you access to get outside your comfort zone and build connections you never knew you would have.” - Jonah Dalmas
Coach Testimonials
“We are ‘Built Different’ at Boise State and that includes taking advantage of every opportunity that presents itself to us. Our NIL program is fantastic and as one of the first programs with such a program in the country, we’ve been at the forefront of providing every opportunity possible to our student-athletes. It’s great to see our guys take initiative and get involved with this program and even better when we see local and national brands come in excited to both work with and support our student-athletes.” - Spencer Danielson
“NIL is an amazing platform driven by student-athletes and supported by our athletic department. I am happy that our student-athletes have a system to support them as they seek out NIL opportunities.” - Tina Bird
“I love how NIL has made a difference for some of the volleyball players at Boise State. I love the opportunity for the community to get involved in directly impacting the NIL opportunities for individual athletes or for our program as a whole. I think our athletic department has been really creative on how to engage with our community and help our athletes earn as much through NIL as they possibly can.” - Shawn Garus
Business Testimonials
“We've been thrilled with the results of Boise State's NIL program. It's given us the opportunity to not only support student-athletes, but also connect with our customers in a new and authentic way. We couldn't be happier with this partnership.” - Todd Michael Senior VP Marketing and Merchandising Jacksons Food Stores
“We have found incredible value in partnering with Boise State student-athletes. Not only is it beneficial to our brand and visibility but it has given us the opportunity to be a part of the personal and professional development of these amazing young people. This has created friendships that will last well beyond their contract agreements.”
Have Questions?
If you’re interested in working with Boise State student-athletes or have any questions regarding the Boise State NIL program, please reach out to nil@boisestate.edu
