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Tax-free NIL payments to college athletes? One state hopes it will give its schools an edge.

By Weston Blasi A bill exempting name, image and likeness earnings from state income tax has been signed into law in Arkansas The fight in recruiting college athletes will now include taxes. Colleges across the nation are locked in a constant battle over high school and college transfers to improve their sports teams, particularly in […]

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1 month ago

May 1, 2025

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By Weston Blasi

A bill exempting name, image and likeness earnings from state income tax has been signed into law in Arkansas

The fight in recruiting college athletes will now include taxes.

Colleges across the nation are locked in a constant battle over high school and college transfers to improve their sports teams, particularly in big revenue-generating sports like football and men’s basketball. Recruiting athletes is a tough endeavor, but colleges in Arkansas were just given a big edge.

Arkansas became the first state in the U.S. to enact a law that exempts name, image and likeness payments (NIL) from its state income tax. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, a Republican, signed the bill into law in April, and it will be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025 as part of the Arkansas Student-Athlete Publicity Rights Act.

Under the new law, all NIL and university revenue-sharing funds received by student athletes will be exempt from state income tax. The legislation also mandates that financial details concerning payments to athletes will be kept confidential and are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.

“Income received by a student athlete from an institution of higher education as compensation for the use of his or her name, image, or likeness or as a percentage of institutional athletic revenue permitted by the institution of higher education’s governing athletic association or conference under this subchapter is exempt from state income tax,” the law states.

The top state income-tax rate in Arkansas for individuals is 3.9%.

Of course, this is a state-only law, and any income an athlete earns from NIL deals are still subject federal income tax.

See: Here’s how much money Shedeur Sanders lost out on by falling to the fifth round of the NFL draft

What will the implementation of this new law actually do? Experts said it’s mainly about recruiting players.

“A state would do this to really prioritize college athletics,” Daniel S. Greene, an attorney who specializes in business and NIL, told MarketWatch. “It’s all about recruiting and giving your schools the best chance to bring in the best kids any way you can.”

No state income tax could could help coaches and NIL collectives in their recruiting process, particularly to athletes who care most about maximizing earnings.

“I’ve followed state legislatures closely, and the states down south really care about college athletics, and they really want their football teams to be super competitive,” Greene said. “They can say to their kids, ‘Hey come here, there’s also no taxes.'”

Tim Frith, a sports attorney at WLJ Sports Law, said this new regulation could be a “major recruiting tool for schools in Arkansas.”

But one lawmaker in Arkansas said that the new law won’t give Arkansas an unfair advantage over rivals – instead it will even the playing field. That’s because some nearby states that Arkansas competes with for top college athletes don’t have any state income tax at all.

The tax exemption will assist Arkansas schools in attracting athletes that bring “a significant amount of revenue to the state,” Arkansas Senate President Bart Hester said. And it also will help Arkansas schools “keep up with Tennessee and Texas and other states that do not have a state income tax,” he added.

In other states, such as Alabama, Georgia, Illinois and Louisiana, similar bills have been introduced but have not yet been signed into law.

Read on: Gen Z workers want to make $100,000 in their first job out of college. Four tips from experts on how to get there.

The move by Arkansas comes as the the NIL system surrounding college athletics is being stressed.

Top college football players are now earning millions annually through NIL deals. For instance, University of Miami quarterback Carson Beck’s NIL value is $4.3 million, and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith’s is $4 million, according to On3.

The NCAA recently approved rule changes in April that could significantly alter college sports. These proposals involve revising NIL guidelines and establishing a revenue-sharing model where schools could distribute $20.5 million across all athletes in all sports.

In an unprecedented event this month, a college quarterback effectively held out for a better NIL contract, a tactic usually seen in professional sports. Former University of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava missed practice and subsequently transferred to UCLA due to discontent with his NIL earnings and his situation with the team.

“I’m not certain that this is going to become very common, as collectives have become wiser and craftier in the creation of their contracts, which tend to seek to avoid situations like this,” Darren Heitner, a lawyer who brokers NIL deals for student athletes, told MarketWatch about the holdout. “I have seen many such arrangements where collectives seek to claw back monies paid out or even receive liquidated damages, but I wonder whether athletes will be deterred unless/until a major action is initiated to enforce such language.”

See: Some Americans are stockpiling $220 sneakers before Trump’s tariffs raise prices even higher

Read on: Here’s how much money Paige Bueckers and the other WNBA 2025 draft picks will earn

-Weston Blasi

This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.


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Sports

UNC Track & Field: Seven Tar Heels qualify for NCAA Championships

As a whole, the 2024-25 college sports season is coming to an end. However, there are still a couple sports going. We of course have the NCAA Baseball Tournament getting into crunch time, with the Diamond Heels advancing to super regionals against Arizona. However next week in Eugene, Oregon, we’ll have the NCAA Track & […]

Published

12 minutes ago

June 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

As a team, the North Carolina Tar Heels men’s or women’s track teams aren’t likely to compete for the overall team championships, but there are several Heels that will compete in individual events. Ahead of the action kicking off on June 11th, let’s take a look at the Carolina T&F athletes headed to Eugene.

On the men’s side of things, runner Ethan Strand has made arguably the biggest waves of any UNC T&Fer in recent years. Back during the indoor season, he won the national championship in the 3000m, while setting records both in that event and the mile.

Not surprisingly, he will also be in the running — pun somewhat intended — in some events at the NCAA outdoor championships. Strand has qualified for both the men’s 1500m and 5000m events. He will be joined in the 5000 by fellow Heel Colton Sands, who just snuck into the event as the final qualifier for the championships.

The other Tar Heel man headed to Eugene will be Tommy Kitchell. Having won the ACC Championship in the shot put, Kitchell has set school records this season, and will now look to continue that with a good performance at NCAAs.

On the women’s side of things, UNC’s biggest hope is probably runner Makayla Paige in the 800m. Having won the national championship in the indoor version of the 800, Paige qualified for the championship meet with the fourth best time for the outdoor version.

At the very next distance, senior Taryn Parks is into the prelims at the 1500m. Sydney Masciarelli is the ninth seed in the 3000m steeplechase, having finished third in the ACC this year. In the field events, Katie Joyce will compete in the finals of the javelin throw, having also won Bronze at ACCs.

Track and Field at the NCAA level features not only the best in up and coming American T&F athletes, but also a lot of the best from around the world. Winning the national title will be a difficult task for any of the Tar Heels headed out to Eugene, but we wish the best of luck yo all of them.

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2025 Midland Roundtable Montana All-Star Volleyball Classic

BILLINGS — The Midland Roundtable on Tuesday announced the team designations for its 2025 Montana All-Star Volleyball Classic. The fourth annual intra-state match will be held Friday, June 13, at 6 p.m. at Lockwood High School in Billings. The 18 participants were originally announced on April 10. Following are the team breakdowns for the upcoming […]

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13 minutes ago

June 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BILLINGS — The Midland Roundtable on Tuesday announced the team designations for its 2025 Montana All-Star Volleyball Classic.

The fourth annual intra-state match will be held Friday, June 13, at 6 p.m. at Lockwood High School in Billings. The 18 participants were originally announced on April 10.

Following are the team breakdowns for the upcoming event:

Blue Team

Roster: Addie Falls Down, Billings Senior (MSU-Northern); Avaree Thompson, Billings Senior (Dickinson State); Taylor Speake, Gallatin (Central Washington); Sofia Kimmel, Bozeman (Carroll College); Juliana McFarland, Belgrade (Dordt, IA); Jaycee Cleveland, Butte (Dickinson State); Claire Hoadley, Missoula Big Sky (Rocky Mountain College); Ellie Reinertson, Gardiner (Montana Tech); Cadence Lundgren, Gallatin (Kansas State).

Coach: Aubrey Beaumont, Rocky Mountain College

Red Team

Roster: Ella Goeltz, Florence-Carlton (Providence); Taiya Guptill, Hardin (Miles Community College); Birdie Heuiser, Helena (Carroll College); Kennedie Noseep, Billings Skyview (Central Wyoming); Morgan Jones, Bozeman (Southern Illinois); Gianna Ruprecht, Columbus (Rocky Mountain College); Hope Gonsioroski, Baker (Lubbock Christian, TX); Lauren Fox, Bozeman (Carroll College); Nora Dominick, Shields Valley (Montana Western).

Coach: Maureen Boyle, Carroll College

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West Coast Conference Announces 2025 Men’s Water Polo Schedule

Story Links SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference announced its 2025 men’s water polo conference schedule on Tuesday. The conference slate will run from Thursday, Oct. 2 to Friday, Nov. 14, with each team playing six conference contests. The West Coast Conference was ranked as one of the top men’s […]

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25 minutes ago

June 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference announced its 2025 men’s water polo conference schedule on Tuesday. The conference slate will run from Thursday, Oct. 2 to Friday, Nov. 14, with each team playing six conference contests.

The West Coast Conference was ranked as one of the top men’s water polo conferences in the RPI last fall with six of the seven teams ending the year ranked in the final coaches poll.

Pacific, the 2024 West Coast Conference regular season champions, will host Air Force on Thursday, Oct. 2, to open conference play. West Coast Conference Tournament champion California Baptist will open the Conference slate at home against Pepperdine on Thursday, Oct. 9.

The 2025 West Coast Conference Tournament will take place on the campus of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., Nov. 21-23.

Official dates are as of June 3 and subject to change.

2025 West Coast Conference Men’s Water Polo Conference Schedule

Oct. 2
Air Force at Pacific

Oct. 3
LMU at San José State

Oct. 5
Pacific at Santa Clara

Oct.9
Pepperdine at California Baptist

Oct. 11
San José State at Pacific

Oct. 12
California Baptist at Air Force

Oct. 16
Santa Clara at California Baptist

Oct. 17
Air Force at LMU
Pacific at Pepperdine

Oct. 18
Santa Clara at San José State

Oct. 19
Pacific at LMU
Air Force at Pepperdine

Oct. 24
Pepperdine at San José State
LMU at Santa Clara

Oct. 30
California Baptist at LMU

Nov. 2
California Baptist at Pacific
San José State at Air Force

Nov. 8
LMU at Pepperdine
San José State at California Baptist
Santa Clara at Air Force

Nov. 14
Pepperdine at Santa Clara

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Meet the Toledo area’s 2025 Division I track and field qualifiers

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39 minutes ago

June 3, 2025

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What to Expect in June

Santa Monica’s month-long Pride celebration returns in June with expanded programming across multiple venues, culminating in a full day of events on Saturday, June 21. The citywide celebration spans the Promenade, Pier, Main Street and Santa Monica Place, featuring art, activities, entertainment and community resources supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The partnership includes Downtown Santa Monica […]

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45 minutes ago

June 3, 2025

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Santa Monica’s month-long Pride celebration returns in June with expanded programming across multiple venues, culminating in a full day of events on Saturday, June 21.

The citywide celebration spans the Promenade, Pier, Main Street and Santa Monica Place, featuring art, activities, entertainment and community resources supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The partnership includes Downtown Santa Monica Inc., Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica Pier and Main Street Santa Monica, collaborating with the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica Travel & Tourism.

At Santa Monica Pier, Fabulous Fables: Drag Queen Pride Family-Edition runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the historic Merry Go-Round Building. The family-friendly event, presented with The Crow Comedy Club, features face painting, live performance by Santa Monica Playhouse, poetry reading by Santa Monica Poet Laureate Anne Carmack, drag storytelling and a Books & Cookies pop-up.

The Pride at the Pier Beach Sporting Experience runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with OutLoud Sports hosting mini tournaments in kickball, dodgeball, soccer, football, volleyball, tennis and cornhole. Simultaneously, Pride at the Pier Beach Volleyball offers open-format play for all skill levels through Pride Point Volleyball.

Santa Monica Place hosts Pride Disco and Kid Zone from noon to 4 p.m., featuring a family-friendly Silent Disco and craft activities with Cayton Children’s Museum. The venue’s Lanterns of Love display will illuminate Center Plaza throughout June.

Pride on the Promenade takes place from 2 to 7 p.m. with musical performances, giveaways, interactive games and LGBTQ+ businesses on Third Street Promenade. The event is part of Downtown Santa Monica’s Entertainment Zone, allowing guests to carry alcoholic beverages while strolling.

Main Street Santa Monica offers Drag Bingo in the Beer Garden from 3 to 6 p.m., alongside the Summer Soulstice celebration. The street closes to cars from Strand Street to Pier Avenue for live music, family activities and art installations.

The weekend concludes Sunday, June 22, with the Pride on the Pier Dance Party.

Additional June events include the City’s Pride Proclamation on May 27, SaMo Pride Drag Bingo Night on June 5, AIDS LifeCycle Finish Line Festival on June 7, Family PRIDE at Annenberg Community Beach House on June 13, and Rainbow Family Storytime at Ocean Park Branch Library on June 17.

For event registration and vendor opportunities, visit eventeny.com/events/pride-on-the-promenade-20126. Main Street Drag Bingo tickets are available at mainstreetsm.com. Complete schedules and updates are at SMPride.com.

Edited by SMDP Staff

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Cal Poly Awards 2024-25 Athletes, Scholar-Athletes of the Year

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — From championship trophies and NCAA postseason runs to program records and academic excellence, the 2024-25 Cal Poly Athletics season was packed with historic moments. With student-athletes excelling in competition and the classroom, the Mustangs delivered across every season. Monday night, Cal Poly Athletics unveiled its annual end of the year […]

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1 hour ago

June 3, 2025

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Monday night, Cal Poly Athletics unveiled its annual end of the year awards during its Night of the Mustang event. Aidan McCarthy, a standout in track & field, was named the Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Piper Ferch, a star for beach volleyball, was named the Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

Corban Payne (Track & Field) and Emily Lieber (Women’s Soccer) were both named Scholar-Athletes of the Year for their success both in the classroom and in competition.

Women’s Golf’s Jensen Jalufka was recognized with the Mustang Way Award for her leadership, character, and commitment to Cal Poly’s core values. Rory Devaney (Track & Field) and Jenna Drobeck (Beach Volleyball) earned Iron Mustang honors for their strength, hard work, and dedication in training throughout the year.

The fastest American in collegiate history in the men’s indoor 800, McCarthy won Big West titles in the 800 and 1,500, earned First Team All-American honors indoors and will compete for a national title outdoors next week in Eugene.

Ferch was a First Team All-American, First Team All-Big West, AVCA Top Flight Award winner. Partnering with Erin Inskeep at the No. 1 spot, the duo achieved a 28-7 record, becoming the highest-winning pair in program history. She also tied the program record for career wins with 101 and helped lead the Mustangs to their second straight NCAA Championship Semifinal appearance.

Payne, who last week qualified for the NCAA West Prelims in the shot put, has maintained a 4.0 GPA while earning his Master’s Degree in Engineering Management. Lieber, A three-year starter for the Mustangs and All-Academic honoree, Lieber has maintained a 3.97 GPA while pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering.

Mahoney was the Big West Freshman of the Year and Second Team All-Big West after leading the men’s soccer team in goals scored and helping them win a Big West regular season title.

Pulling, a transfer from Cal State Bakersfield, was named First Team All-Big West after leading the team in blocks and was second in kills per set while helping the Mustangs win the Big West regular season title.

Through this week, Cal Poly has had 106 All-Academic honorees through the fall and winter, 74 All-Conference selections, seven All-Americans, eight conference major award winners, 41 school records, six team conference championships, 16 individual conference championships, and five Coach of the Year award winners.

Cal Poly baseball, volleyball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s soccer, and men’s track and field won Big West team titles.

With championships, national rankings, NCAA appearances, and strong academic results, the 2024-25 season marked one of the most successful in recent Cal Poly memory. The Mustangs now turn the page to the 2025-26 season with momentum, excitement, and school pride.

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