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Summer 2021 marked a new beginning in the landscape of collegiate athletics. The NCAA’s Board of Directors approved a policy that allowed student-athletes nationwide to begin profiting off the sale of their name, image and likeness (NIL) beginning on July 1, 2021. Arkansas law became effective on January 1, 2022, and now businesses, including banking institutions, can utilize marketing budgets to partner with collegiate athletes for the first time in almost a century. WLJ Sports Law can help your bank navigate through the new NIL industry and find strategic partnerships with college athletes in any sport at any higher education institution. Our experienced Sports Law Team has handled over 50 NIL transactions to date, with many more in process, both locally and regionally. We are committed to compliance with state laws, NCAA regulations, and each school’s NIL policies and procedures to serve the best interests of our banking clients from start to finish with NIL transactions. Let us know of your interest.
Judy Simmons Henry, a former collegiate gymnast, is the chair of WLJ’s Business Litigation Team and has been actively involved in banking litigation during her 33-year legal practice. As the leader of WLJ Sports Law, she represents D-1 coaches, athletes and, previously, the NCAA. Most recently, Henry has led the charge in NIL representation of businesses and athletes in Arkansas and regionally.
Collins Hickman is an associate on WLJ’s Business Litigation Team and the firm’s Banking Law Group. In his diverse practice, Collins handles a variety of banking matters, including collections, foreclosures, and answering writs of garnishment and subpoenas. As a member of WLJ Sports Law, he also assists businesses in drafting NIL contracts and complying with NIL laws and regulations.