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Navigating Insurance in the NIL Era

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Navigating Insurance in the NIL Era

Navigating Insurance in the NIL Era: What It Means for Universities, Athletes, Brands, and Families

The landscape of college athletics is undergoing a seismic shift with the rise of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. As student-athletes gain the ability to monetize their personal brands, a new era of opportunity—and liability—is expanding far beyond the athletes. In addition to the student-athletes, NIL stakeholders include universities, athletic conferences and organizations, sponsors, and the athletes’ families, among others. Whether the goal is to guard against emerging liabilities or protect the NIL revenue stream itself, stakeholders should consider both traditional and specialty lines of insurance. Here’s what you need to know.

1. What Are NILs?

NIL rights allow college athletes to profit from their personal name, image and likeness—essentially, their brand—while maintaining amateur status. This includes earning income through endorsements, social media, appearances and other commercial ventures. Ever since the US Supreme Court held in 2021 in NCAA v. Alston that NCAA member institutions were free to offer education-related compensation to student-athletes, doors have opened wide for athletes to engage in business opportunities that were previously off-limits, fundamentally altering the collegiate sports economy.

2. The House Settlement: A New Precedent

In May 2025, the landmark $2.8 billion settlement reached in House v. NCAA was finalized, reshaping NIL and revenue-sharing frameworks for college athletics. Often referred to as the “House Settlement,” it resolves multiple antitrust lawsuits and paves the way for direct revenue sharing between universities and athletes. Importantly, this settlement marks a turning point, signaling the NCAA’s acknowledgment of athletes as stakeholders in the multibillion-dollar collegiate sports industry.

3. New Precedent Breeds New Risks for Stakeholders

With new rights come new risks. The expansion of NIL rights and revenue-sharing models introduces complex liability exposures for all parties involved:

  • Universities may face management and board-level liability for failing to adequately monitor NIL deals, ensure Title IX compliance, or for violations of the tax code that could jeopardize their 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.
  • Athletes risk breaching contracts, violating NCAA or institutional policies, or becoming entangled in disputes over representation and compensation.
  • Brands partnering with athletes must navigate reputational risks and ensure compliance with advertising and endorsement regulations.
  • Families of athletes, often involved in managing NIL opportunities, may inadvertently expose themselves to tax liabilities or legal disputes if not properly advised.

And, critically for all of the above, consideration must be given to the potential for injury, academic failure, disciplinary suspension or expulsion and transfer, all of which stand to impair or cut off lucrative NIL revenue streams. Interested parties will want to take appropriate steps to protect NIL revenue should a disrupting event occur.

4. Insurance Solutions to Hedge Against Liability

To mitigate NIL-related risk, stakeholders should consider both specialized and traditional insurance products tailored for the NIL era. For example, NFP’s Sports and Entertainment Group offers a suite of coverage options designed to protect athletes, institutions, and affiliated entities, including:

  • Permanent Total Disability (PTD) and Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Protects athletes’ future earnings in case of injury or illness.
  • Loss of Value (LOV): Covers the financial gap if an athlete’s projected professional value declines due to injury.
  • Critical Injury Coverage: Offers lump-sum benefits for catastrophic injuries.
  • Group Disability Plans: Customizable for universities, conferences, or NIL collectives, these plans spread risk across multiple athletes and sports.

Traditional lines of insurance—such as directors and officers liability (D&O), commercial general liability (CGL), errors and omissions (E&O), and media liability—can also protect stakeholders against NIL-related liabilities. For example:

  • CGL and media liability policies may provide coverage for claims arising from the advertising and use of an athlete’s NIL.
  • E&O and D&O insurance can protect institutions and brands from allegations of missteps in negotiating or overseeing NIL agreements.

Insurance is not just a reactive measure—it is a strategic tool that enables stakeholders to participate in the NIL ecosystem with confidence and foresight. As the NIL era continues to evolve, look for the emergence of more specialized insurance products, as well as litigation surrounding the scope and applicability of both traditional and NIL-specific coverage.

Final Thoughts

The NIL era is here, and with it comes a new set of responsibilities. Universities, athletes, brands, and families must work proactively to navigate this evolving landscape. By understanding the risks and leveraging both traditional and tailored insurance solutions, stakeholders can protect their interests while empowering athletes to thrive both on and off the field.

Hunton’s Higher Education working group, of which the insurance team is a member, is actively monitoring these developments and seeking proactive risk mitigation and financing solutions for its clients. Stay tuned to stay informed on all things insurance in the NIL era.

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College Basketball Rankings: Coaches Poll Top 25 updated after Week 8

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The USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll Top 25 has been refreshed following the eighth week of the season. It was a bit of a light week due to Christmas, but some showdowns still took place amid the holiday celebrations, resulting in some movement throughout the Top 25.

With conference play picking up this coming weekend, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of the season, where the rankings will fluctuate week-in and week-out. While this past week was packed with tune-up games and not a ton of riveting action, that won’t be the case from now until April.

Regardless, the Coaches Poll Top 25 is certain to see plenty of movement. For now, here’s how things stack up after Week 8. This week’s updated rankings are below.

Michigan enjoyed a full week off and enters the week undefeated at 11–0. The Wolverines return to action with home games against McNeese State on Monday and USC on Friday.

Senior forward Yaxel Lendeborg has been the engine, stuffing the stat sheet with 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Michigan will look to stay perfect as conference play looms.

Arizona
Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Arizona rolled past Bethune 107–71 last Monday to improve to 12–0 on the season. The Wildcats host South Dakota State before traveling to Utah for a road test on Saturday.

Freshman guard Brayden Burries has emerged as a steady scorer, averaging 14.0 points per game. Arizona’s depth and tempo continue to overwhelm opponents early in the season.

Iowa State remained perfect at 12–0 after an off week. The Cyclones host Houston Christian on Monday and West Virginia on Friday.

Junior forward Milan Momcilovic leads the team at 18.3 points per game. Iowa State’s balance continues to separate it from most of the field.

UConn had the week off and remains one of the nation’s most complete teams at 12–1. The Huskies head to Xavier on Wednesday before hosting Marquette on Sunday.

Junior guard Solo Ball leads the backcourt with 15.4 points per game. This week offers a strong measuring stick against Big East competition.

Purdue
Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Purdue stayed idle last week but remains firmly entrenched near the top of the Coaches Poll with an 11–1 record. The Boilermakers face a tricky week with a home matchup against Kent State on Monday before heading to Wisconsin on Saturday.

Senior forward Trey Kaufman-Renn continues to anchor the frontcourt, averaging a double-double at 13.9 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Purdue’s ability to maintain consistency through a two-game week will be closely watched.

Duke remained idle last week and sits at 11–1 entering a two-game stretch. The Blue Devils host Georgia Tech on Wednesday before traveling to Florida State on Saturday.

Freshman phenom Cameron Boozer has been dominant, averaging 23.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Duke will be tested defensively as ACC play intensifies.

Gonzaga extended its winning streak with a victory over Pepperdine on Sunday and sits at 13–1. The Bulldogs play three times this week, traveling to San Diego before hosting Seattle U and LMU.

Junior forward Braden Huff leads the way with 19.1 points per game. Gonzaga’s depth will be tested during the busy stretch.

Houston
John Jones-Imagn Images

Houston enters the week at 11–1 after a quiet stretch. The Cougars host Middle Tennessee State on Monday before heading to Cincinnati on Saturday.

Senior guard Emanuel Sharp continues to pace the offense with 17.9 points per game. Houston’s defensive pressure remains its calling card heading into conference play.

Michigan State enjoyed a week off and sits at 11–1 on the season. The Spartans host Cornell on Monday before traveling to Nebraska on Friday.

Senior forward Jaxon Kohler has been a force inside, averaging 13.9 points and 10.3 rebounds. Michigan State will look to sharpen its execution away from home.

BYU cruised past Eastern Washington 109–81 last Monday to improve to 12–1. The Cougars face a lone test this week with a road trip to Kansas State on Saturday.

Freshman star AJ Dybantsa has lived up to the hype, averaging 23.1 points per game. BYU’s offense remains one of the most explosive in the country.

11. Vanderbilt
12. North Carolina
13-T. Nebraska
13-T.
Louisville (+1)
15. Alabama
16. Texas Tech
17. Kansas
18. Arkansas
19. Illinois
20. Tennessee
21. Virginia
22. Florida
23. Iowa
24. Georgia
25. St. John’s

Dropped Out: No. 25 USC

Others Receiving Votes: Kentucky 35; USC 25; Utah State 14; Auburn 7; Saint Louis 6; Clemson 6; Seton Hall 5; Oklahoma State 5; Yale 4; UCLA 4; Saint Mary’s 4; LSU 3; California 2; Villanova 1; Miami (OH) 1; Indiana 1



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Petrino’s Friend Found a Workaround to Pay Taylen Green That’s Now Prohibited by NCAA

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Petrino’s Friend Found a Workaround to Pay Taylen Green That’s Now Prohibited by NCAA
photo credit: Craven Whitlow

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When Bobby Petrino returned to Arkansas after the 2023 season, his first task was finding a new quarterback.

In this era of college football, that also meant funding a new quarterback. For that, the former head coach leaned on his old friend Frank Fletcher.

The Little Rock-based businessman stepped up and footed a large chunk of the bill for Taylen Green, the talented signal caller Petrino identified to run his offense for the Razorbacks.

It hasn’t only been a transactional relationship, though. Over the last two years, Fletcher has been mindful of Green’s life after sports. Rather than simply handing the star quarterback a boatload of cash, he offered something few college athletes receive: personal relationship and mentorship.

“I had a wonderful two years with Taylen Green,” Fletcher said during Monday’s edition of Morning Mayhem on 103.7 The Buzz. “I was lucky that I happened to back a player that was that nice a kid and [had] great parents. I’ve learned a lot from him. I’m teaching him everything I know, and he wants to learn.”

Fletcher helped Green navigate the financial market by giving the QB1 homework, making him chart a series of stocks over a few months – something that could prove even more important after his subpar finish to the 2025 season likely impacted his pro prospects.