As NCAA evaluates future, Opendorse launches program for colleges to make NIL payments

NCAA President Charlie Baker first brought up his Project D-I proposal in a memo to membership in December. The potential changes laid out included creating a subdivision of Division I that affords them more freedom to craft their policies and enables them to compensate athletes in innovative and consequential ways.

Since that initial memo was released, Power 4 leaders have pushed back on parts of the proposal. But one aspect that has found support is the permissive pay to athletes from institutions. The NCAA Division I Council is expected to discuss aspects of the format at its April meeting and could be adopted as soon as August.

With that in mind, NIL marketplace Opendorse is announcing the formation of “Opendorse Payments” on Tuesday. The software will allow college partners to manage NIL contracts, send NIL deals by scheduling recurring payouts, track completed activities and offer consolidated reporting to the NCAA once rules allow.