Rams Club Members:

I hope this message finds you well. My staff and I want to thank you once again for your continued support of UNC Athletics. It is an exciting time to be a Tar Heel as we continue to enjoy the successes of our student-athletes.

As you have likely heard, the NCAA has recently adopted rules that permit a student-athlete to use his or her name, image or likeness (NIL) in non-institutional promotional activities and to receive compensation for such activities provided the student-athlete does not receive compensation for athletics performance or participation as an inducement for enrollment. Compensation for the use of NIL may include discounts or special arrangements.

Beginning July 1, prospective and current student-athletes CAN:

• Appear in television advertisements for commercial products or services.
• Appear in print or social media advertisements for commercial products or services.
• Make personal appearances to promote commercial products or services (e.g., appearance at a commercial establishment).
• Be a social media influencer (compensation for social media activity/posting).

However, NCAA recruiting and extra benefit rules still apply. A prospective or current student-athlete CANNOT:

• Have an agreement without quid pro quo (e.g., compensation for work not performed).
• Be provided or offered compensation contingent upon initial or continued enrollment at UNC.
• Be compensated contingent upon a specific athletic performance or achievement (e.g., financial incentives based on points scored). Athletic performance may enhance a student athlete’s NIL value but may not be the “consideration” for NIL compensation.
• Donors and/or athletics representatives MAY NOT become involved in the recruiting process. NCAA rules continue to prohibit anyone other than certified UNC coaches from contacting prospective student-athletes or their relatives/guardians for recruiting purposes.

With success comes a significant responsibility. A critical component of continuing our success is maintaining institutional compliance with NCAA and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) rules and regulations. Institutional compliance is a shared responsibility among the entire UNC community. As a donor, you share the same responsibility for your actions as our coaches, student-athletes and staff.

Thank you for all that you do for UNC Athletics and helping our program continue to operate with the highest integrity. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly at mvangelder@unc.edu with any questions about the new NIL rules.

GO HEELS!

Marielle vanGelder

Associate Athletics Director/SWA

University of North Carolina

mvangelder@unc.edu