SEC adopts standardized Name, Image, and Likeness contracts across league

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has taken a significant step towards self-governance by adopting standardized Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contracts across the league. This move follows closely on the heels of the Big Ten's adoption of similar contracts. The decision was made at a meeting of SEC presidents.

The new NIL contract allows schools to share up to $21.6 million in revenue directly with athletes this academic year. This figure is part of a larger 10-year plan, as outlined by the House v. NCAA settlement. The settlement has already had a significant impact on college athletics, with players receiving nearly $1.8 billion in direct revenue-share payments during the 2025-26 school year.

The SEC's new contract includes customizable sections that can be tailored to suit individual schools' needs. However, details of these sections are not publicly available at this time.

The Big Ten was the first power conference to adopt standardized NIL contracts, drafting a template for its member institutions in July 2025. This template allowed schools to tweak and customize their agreements with athletes.

Public records requests have revealed significant variations among Big Ten member institutions when it comes to their standardized agreements. For example, Washington added a clause that holds players liable for the remainder of their contract's value if they enter the transfer portal. Other provisions include termination rights in cases such as head coaching changes or medical disqualification.

These contracts also contain clauses allowing schools to reclaim a prorated share of money already paid out in certain circumstances. Additionally, some agreements include a "No Employment" clause that requires players to acknowledge they are not employees and waive any claims to the contrary.

The standardized NIL contracts adopted by the SEC aim to clarify rights and responsibilities for all parties involved in name, image, and likeness agreements between athletes and schools.

These contracts grant schools the right to use an athlete's name, image, and likeness for promotional purposes, which can then be sublicensed to various entities such as conferences, the NCAA, TV partners, and sponsors. This allows the school to monetize its student-athletes' marketability while maintaining control over their NIL.

In 2025, the SEC circulated a template for NIL contracts among its member schools, outlining specific terms and conditions that athletes must adhere to when signing agreements with their institutions. According to this template, athletes are prohibited from soliciting or negotiating offers from other schools while under contract, which can lead to penalties if breached.

The consequences of breaching these contract terms have been seen in recent cases, such as the situation involving Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who signed an NIL deal with the Huskies but later entered the transfer portal. After consulting with both parties and facing potential legal action, Williams returned to the team and apologized for his actions.

The SEC is not alone in grappling with NIL contract disputes, as similar issues have arisen within its own ranks. Last year, Arkansas threatened to take legal action against quarterback Madden Iamaleava after he left the school following an NIL agreement. The Razorbacks sought $200,000 from Iamaleava and hired a prominent sports attorney to pursue their case, but the parties eventually reached a settlement out of court.

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has taken another step toward self-governance by implementing standardized Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) contracts for its member schools. This move comes as college athletics administrators await the outcome of the Protect College Sports Act, which is currently being voted on in the House of Representatives.

While this decision marks a significant shift towards conference-wide control, it also raises questions about the legal protections that come with standardized agreements. In professional sports, union-bargained terms are often shielded from antitrust challenges due to labor exemptions established by the Supreme Court. However, standardized contracts drafted by multiple schools acting through their conference do not currently enjoy this same protection.

The SEC's presidents have put on hold another self-governance proposal that would reinstate a rule requiring players transferring between SEC programs to sit out one season. This intraconference transfer policy was lifted in June 2021, allowing for greater player mobility within the conference.

The passage of the Protect College Sports Act could potentially provide limited antitrust protections for standardized NIL agreements, but this remains uncertain as the bill's fate is still being decided.