Department of Education Enforces Title IX Compliance for NIL Payments

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights has issued a memo stating that payments to student-athletes through name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals must adhere to Title IX guidelines, treating these payments as financial assistance akin to scholarships. This guidance complicates plans for universities to directly compensate athletes under a forthcoming revenue-sharing model, which could see major institutions distributing about $20.5 million annually, primarily to football and men's basketball players. Such allocations may violate Title IX's requirement for equal financial aid distribution between male and female athletes. The memo, released as college sports leaders gathered for the NCAA convention, has prompted officials to reassess their distribution plans amidst concerns over compliance. NCAA board chair Linda Livingstone emphasized the need for institutions to understand the implications of this guidance. The memo highlights the ongoing challenges in balancing NIL deals with legal obligations to provide equitable opportunities in collegiate athletics.