BREAKING: WIAA Board of Control Adds Name, Image, Likeness Rules to Constitution

BREAKING: WIAA Board of Control Adds Name, Image, Likeness Rules to Constitution

This story will be updated as more information is shared by the WIAA

The WIAA amended its constitution today, with changes shown below, along with NEW language in RED.  

Check back with OnFocus for updates as the WIAA prepares more information on the NIL changes.

B. Eligibility – Name Image Likeness

2) Signs a contract or agreement for services as a participating athlete.
a. A student may be employed (but not self-employed) on a part-time basis as an instructor on the playgrounds, game official,
lifeguard, e.g.
b. This rule shall not prevent a student from signing 1) an agreement which binds him/her to play only for a particular team or 2) an
athletic tender with a university or college or 3) a Name, Image or Likeness opportunities as outlined in Article IV Section 1-C

3) Receives compensation or benefit, directly or indirectly, for the use of name, picture, and/or personal appearance, as an athlete because
of ability, potential, and/or performance as an athlete.
4) Receives free and/or reduced rates on equipment, apparel, camps/clinics/instruction and competitive opportunities that are not
identical for any and all interested students.
5) Is identified as an athlete, provides endorsement as an athlete, or appears as an athlete, in the promotion of a
commercial/advertisement and/or profit-making event, item, plan or service.
Note: When an athlete has been identified with or without permission and/or awareness resulting in a violation of this rule, the
penalty may be reduced once the violation has been rectified.
6) Plays in any contest (school or nonschool) under a name other than his/her own name.

C. An athlete forfeits amateur status by capitalizing on athletic Fame by receiving money, compensation, endorsements or gifts of monetary value in affiliation or connection with activities involving the student’s school team, school, Conference or WIAA(scholarships to institutions of higher learning are specifically exempted.)

1) This provision is not intended to restrict the right of any student to participate in a Name, Image and Likeness(NIL) commercial endorsement provided there is no school team, school, Conference or WIAA affiliation.

2) Prohibited NIL Activities:

a. The Student shall not appear in the uniform of the student’s school and does not utilize the marks, logos, etc. of the school team, school, Conference or WIAA as part of any endorsement.

b. The Student shall not promote activities nor products associated with the following: gaming/gambling; alcoholic beverages, tobacco, cannabis, or related products; banned or illegal substances; adult entertainment products or services; weapons(firearms)

c. The compensation is not contingent on specific athletic performance or achievement(i.e. financial incentives based on points scored)

d. The compensation is not provided by the school or persons association with school as an inducement to attend a particular school(“recruiting”) or to remain enrolled at a particular school.

Note: Definition of Persons Associated with school include, but are not limited to: current or former student/athletes(exception of one’s own parent), booster club members, alumni, spouses or relatives of coaches, teachers and other employees, coaches who become employed by companies or organizations that have donated monetarily, athletic supplies, equipment or apparel to that school.

e. The NIL activities do not interfere with a student-athlete’s academic obligations.

f. A student does not miss athletic practice, competition, travel or other team obligations in order to participate in NIL opportunities

g. A student can not utilize representation or contract an agent. High schools or its employees are not allowed to help facilitate deals for student-athletes.

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Where are they Now? We feature athletes and difference makers from the past, standouts in sports who excelled over the years and have moved on. Know of a former athlete, coach, or difference maker who we should feature? Know of a former standout competitor whose journey beyond central Wisconsin sports is one we should share? Send us information on athletes and difference makers of the past with our simple form HERE

Baked or Fried! We also feature difference makers throughout central Wisconsin: coaches, booster club leaders, administration, volunteers, you name it. Send us your nominations for who you’d like us to interview HERE

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Author: David Keech

David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at keechertheteacher@gmail.com