College athletes can sign paid deals with schools and associations

College athletes may sign contracts allowing schools and national college sports associations to pay for use of their names or images. This permission covers current college athletes. Schools and national college sports associations cannot pay prospective athletes for these uses. Deals cannot conflict with athletes’ contracts with their schools. Athletes must disclose payment contracts to their schools. Schools may reasonably restrict deals that clash with their mission. They may prohibit payment for uses tied to official school activities or college sports. Schools cannot reduce scholarships solely because athletes receive these payments. National college sports associations cannot exclude athletes or schools solely because athletes receive these payments. The law took effect on July 1, 2025.

Covered athlete payment contracts and related communications and materials must remain confidential. This rule covers payment contracts athletes sign with schools or disclose to schools, along with communications and materials relating to those contracts. Covered records are excluded from public-records access. The confidentiality rule took effect on July 1, 2025.