Welcome to the Blue Raider Exchange

What is the Blue Raider Exchange?

The Blue Raider 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. Registered businesses can search, filter and initiate conversations with your student-athletes to discuss an NIL deal. Once the NIL deal between a registered business and your student-athlete is completed, the business will use the Blue Raider Exchange  to create a transaction that will produce a direct payment to the student-athlete and automate a disclosure to the INFLCR Verified Compliance Ledger. The institution does not have to get involved in the deal and all transactions within the local exchange  are consolidated into one 1099 at the end of the year for easier tax reporting purposes for registered businesses and athletes.  

FAQs:

What is Name, Image & Likeness?

As of July 1, 2021, student-athletes competing in NCAA intercollegiate athletics are permitted to receive compensation for the use of their name, image or likeness (NIL) for commercial activities, including endorsements through traditional and social media, appearances, entrepreneurial activities, in-kind deals, autographs and more, in accordance with NCAA guidelines and Middle Tennessee State University Athletics NIL protocols.  

Does the state of Tennessee have an NIL Policy?

Yes.   

Can a University employee or coach help arrange a deal for an athlete?

No. University employees, including coaches and members of the athletics department, CAN NOT HELP negotiate deals or contracts due to NCAA policy. 

Does the school or INFLCR take any revenue from NIL transactions in the Local Exchange?

No  

Do you have to be an official university licensee to register?

No. Businesses wishing to incorporate university marks into their offerings must work with Learfield (partnerships and advertising) and/or CLC (apparel and other sold goods) to secure the rights to use such marks. For additional information:

• For information on using the marks in advertising and other promotional locations, CLICK HERE for additional information. 
• For use of university marks on apparel and other printed materials, CLICK HERE for additional information.

Who approves your request to register?

If you have any questions about your approval, contact Lee De Leon, Deputy Athletic Director, at lee.deleon@mtsu.edu or Daryl Simpson, Associate AD/Compliance & Operations, in the MTSU Athletics Compliance Office at daryl.simpson@mtsu.edu.   

How will I know when I am approved?

You should receive an email from the institution verifying your approval. We don’t have specific numbers for how long it will take to get verified. Each institution works differently.   

When can I start contacting athletes and processing payments?

After being approved by the school, you will be able to contact athletes and process payments.  

Additional Resources

For information on using the marks in advertising and other promotional locations, CLICK HERE for additional information.

For use of university marks on apparel and other printed materials, CLICK HERE for additional information.

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