CHICAGO (AP) 鈥� The College Sports Commission has approved $7.5 million in restructured name, image and likeness opportunities spread among 18 Nebraska football players after those deals initially were rejected in two months ago.
Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen announced the CSC’s approval at Big Ten media days, The Athletic reported Wednesday. Dannen did not respond to an Associated Press message seeking comment.
The CSC initially had rejected third-party NIL agreements between Nebraska鈥檚 multimedia rights (MMR) partner, Playfly, and the players. At issue was whether Nebraska鈥檚 MMR partner would be considered an 鈥渁ssociated entity鈥� 鈥� deals from which are subject to CSC scrutiny.
The arbitrator said the deals lacked what the CSC called a 鈥渧alid business purpose鈥� because they did not include goods or services offered to the general public for profit. Also, Playfly was found to have violated a rule against 鈥渨arehousing鈥� NIL rights 鈥� i.e., paying for the rights to use for some purpose later instead of employing them right away.
Dannen said in Chicago the deals were restructured and resubmitted to the CSC. He said full payment to the 18 players would be made after they fulfill responsibilities associated with the deals.
Schools are allowed to pay up to $21.3 million in revenue sharing with athletes in 2026-27. Marketing firms that partner with schools are providing third-party NIL deals that allow schools to exceed the spending cap.
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