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NIL

Connecticut

High School Status

Permitted

High School Governing Body

Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC)

Source

CIAC Handbook; 4.5.A. Amateur Athletic Guidelines

NIL State Law

House Bill 6402 (Amendment); Raised Senate Bill No. 20 (Not applicable to high school athletes)

Status

What We Discovered

Connecticut’s state NIL law does not address NIL at the high school level. This gives the CIAC, which governs high school athletics in Connecticut, the authority to make decisions regarding NIL. The CIAC updated its amateur guidelines to allow student-athletes to profit off of their NIL, becoming the 10th state to allow high school student-athletes to do so.

Summary

College

NIL Law: House Bill 6402 (Sec. 14)

Abstract | Full Law | Passed: 6/30/2021 | Effective: 7/1/2021

NIL Law: Senate Bill No. 20 (Public Act 22-11)

Abstract | Full Law | Passed: 5/10/2022 | Effective: 7/1/2022

Nearly a year after Connecticut lawmakers passed a law allowing collegiate student-athletes to earn compensation for their name, image and likeness, the Governor signed amendments to remove verbiage that limited the potential recruitment of student-athletes to the state. The amendment, Public Act 22-11, permits student-athletes to use their school’s names, logos, trademarks, mascots, unique colors, copyrights, and other defining insignia in endorsement contracts, something the law previously banned.

The modification was requested by the University of Connecticut, which argued that it would align Connecticut’s policies with other states and help them recruit students.

Summary

High School

The CIAC recently updated its amateur guidelines to allow student-athletes to profit off of their NIL, in accordance to their handbook, in the section 4.5.A. Becoming the 10th state to allow high school student-athletes to do so.

Bylaws | CIAC Handbook

Excerpt | 4.5.A. Amateur Athletic Guidelines

4.5.A. AMATEUR ATHLETIC GUIDELINES 

An amateur athlete is one who participates in athletics solely for the physical, mental, social and educational benefits derived from such participation. 

The following are the basic principles involved in the amateur code, which, if violated, could result in the loss of eligibility for the student-athlete: 

  1. Participation in any athletic activity under an assumed name is strictly prohibited. 
  2. Permissible awards/rewards include items that are symbolic in nature, including letters, sweaters, jackets, pins, trophies, rings, inscribed watches, etc. A student-athlete may accept a monetary award under the United States Olympic Committee’s “Operation Gold” program without compromising his/her eligibility for CIAC competition. Operation Gold awards athletes for top place finishes in a sport’s most competitive international competition of the year. No other award of monetary value may be granted to any student-athlete without prior approval by the CIAC. 
  3. Participation on an amateur sports team in which the student-athlete receives, directly or indirectly, any salary, gift cards, incentive payment, gratuity or expense allowance other than actual and necessary travel allowances, and room/board expenses for practice and games is prohibited. Beyond reasonable, travel, meal and lodging expenses, a student-athlete may accept sports-related paraphernalia with a monetary value not to exceed $500.00. 
  4. A student-athlete may not sign a contract or verbally commit with a professional sports organization (whether for financial consideration or not); or, receive a salary or any form of financial assistance from a professional sports organization. 
  5. A student-athlete may participate as an individual, or as a member of a team against professional athletes, or as a member of a team on which there are some professionals who are not currently under contract with a professional team and are not receiving payment for their participation; but he/she may not participate on a professional team. 
  6. Accepting a nominal standard fee or salary for instructing, supervising or officiating in an organized sports program or working in a recreation, playground, or camp activities shall not jeopardize amateur status. “Organized programs” include both school and non-school programs. Compensation for giving private lessons is permissible if circumstances parallel the above statement. 
  7. Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). A student-athlete may profit off the use of their own name, image, and likeness (NIL), and be represented by an attorney or sports agent, subject to their compliance with this policy. Such permissible activities include commercial endorsements, promotional activities, social media presence, product or service advertisements.