15 April 2024 • 2 minute read
Leveling the Playing Field: A conversation on the future of NIL
Duke University athletic director Nina King and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill athletic director Bubba Cunningham join DLA Piper's Richard Burr for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), including the issue of name, image and likeness.
LISTEN TO THE BEYOND THE CURVE PODCAST ON ITUNES AND SPOTIFY.
Summary
College athletics leaders discuss NIL, student-athlete welfare, and the future of collegiate sports in a shifting legal and financial landscape.Speakers
- Nina King: Vice President and Director of Athletics at Duke University; Tulane Law graduate and NCAA governance leader.
- Bubba Cunningham: Athletic Director at UNC Chapel Hill; Notre Dame alumnus with 18+ years leading Division I athletic programs.
- Richard Burr: Former U.S. Senator and Principal Policy Advisor at DLA Piper; host of Beyond the Curve podcast.
Key Takeaways
- NIL reform emerged from a failure to modernize collegiate athletics governance.
- Student-athletes now receive extensive support, including mental health, academic, and financial benefits.
- The transfer portal and NIL have created instability in team rosters and recruiting.
- Revenue sharing could threaten Olympic and women’s sports programs.
- Legal clarity is needed on employment status, unionization, and tax implications for student-athletes.
- Congressional action is seen as necessary to standardize NIL laws and provide antitrust relief.
FAQs
- What is NIL in college athletics?
- How are universities supporting student-athletes beyond scholarships?
- What is the transfer portal?
- Could student-athletes become university employees?
- Why is Congress involved in NIL discussions?
