Welcome to the GatorsNIL Exchange

Connect and work with athletes from
University of Florida
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What is the GatorsNIL?

The GatorsNIL is a student-athlete NIL business registry, custom-designed for businesses, donors, alumni, and any other interested NIL dollars wishing to connect with University of Florida student athletes. Registered businesses can search, filter and initiate conversations with UF student-athletes to discuss an NIL deal. Once the NIL deal between a registered business and the University of Florida student-athlete is completed, the business will use the GatorsNIL to create a transaction that will produce a direct payment to the student-athlete (without any transaction fee) and automate a disclosure to the University of Florida INFLCR Verified Compliance Ledger. The University and its staff are not 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.    

NIL - State of Florida Overview and Florida Athletic Guidelines

  • Student-athletes may earn compensation for their name, image, and likeness. Such compensation must be within fair market value.
  • The University of Florida, the Athletic Department, staff members or boosters may not compensate or arrange compensation to a current or prospective intercollegiate athlete for her or his name, image, likeness.
  • Booster owned or companies they are employed by may provide compensation for a student-athlete’s name, image, likeness so long as it is not arranged by the parties listed above.
  • Compensation may not be provided in exchange for athletic performance or attendance at the University of Florida.
  • The expectation is that NIL compensation opportunities will not conflict with academic or team related activities.
  • Student Athletes will only be allowed to use University or Athletic Department related marks and logos, orange and blue color scheme, team or player photographs and videos, any and all aspects of the uniform, including but not limited to, team colors, designs, and player numbers, if those rights have been secured through a written agreement granting specific rights from the University or written permission from the University. Contact Debbie Gay (DebbieG@gators.ufl.edu), Licensing Manager, to receive written permission. This includes posts and hashtags on social media when endorsing a product or service under NIL agreements. You can request sponsorship information and/or an agreement by contacting Gators Sports Properties. Information and licensing agreements pertaining to retail products can be sourced through The Collegiate Licensing Company.
  • Student-athletes can not provide anyone their apparel, shoes, gear, or equipment that was issued by the UAA nor are they permitted to sell, autograph, exchange for anything of value of UAA issued equipment. (e.g. uniforms, jerseys, gloves, workout shorts and shirts, practice and competition shoes, helmets, bats, sticks, balls, warmups, etc.).
  • Student-athletes will not be permitted to enter into NIL agreements with gambling/sports wagering vendors or any vendors associated with athletic performance enhancing drugs.
  • The use of athletic department facilities will require approval in advance (location agreements, including waiver of liability forms and applicable rental fees). Rental and waiver of liability agreements will be coordinated with Lindsey Thomas (LindseyT@gators.ufl.edu).
  • Student-athletes must disclose within four days of any NIL agreements to the athletic department. This is not an approval process but a component of the Florida state law.
  • The duration of a contract for representation of student-athlete or compensation for the use of Name, Image and Likeness may not extend beyond participation in athletic program at institution.
  • An athlete agent representing a student-athlete for purposes of securing compensation for her or his name, image, likeness, or persona must be licensed in the State of Florida.
  • An attorney representing a student-athlete for purposes of securing compensation for her or his name, image, likeness, or persona must be a member in good standing of The Florida Bar.
  • A student-athlete under the age of 18 years must have any contract for compensation for her or his name, image, likeness, or persona approved under state statutes 743.08 and 743.09.
  • International student-athletes should not enter into any NIL agreements without the guidance from the University of Florida International Student Center to guard against any potential immigration issues.
  • The Hawkins Center will provide student athletes with financial literacy, brand building and educational workshops focusing on the areas of Name, Image and Likeness.      

Key Contacts

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 University of Florida NIL protocols.

Does the state of Florida have an NIL Policy?

Yes, it is CS/CS/SB 646 — Intercollegiate Athlete Compensation and Rights

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

No. University employees, including coaches and members of the athletics department, CANNOT negotiate deals or contracts. However, they can direct student athletes to NIL related opportunities on the GatorsNIL

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, but businesses will not be permitted to use university marks without approval from the University. For more information on how to become an official licensee, please contact Debbie Gay

How will I know when I am verified?

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 institution, you will be able to contact athletes and process payments in January 2022.