Virginia Tech Name, Image, and Likeness Protocol

Reference: NCAA Division I Manual — Article 22 (Name, Image and Likeness Activities)
Purpose: Current NCAA legislation permits student-athletes to benefit from the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) consistent with the NCAA’s guiding principles. In alignment with Virginia Tech’s core values, mission, and principles, these opportunities must be conducted in a manner that supports student-athlete well-being and complies with applicable NCAA, ACC, and institutional rules. This protocol provides guidance on NIL activities and identifies the types of activities in which Virginia Tech student-athletes are permitted or prohibited from engaging.

Student-Athlete Obligation
Student-athletes are expected to refrain from engaging in name, image, and likeness activities that are related to “pay for play,” impermissible inducements, or extra benefits. Impermissible name, image, and likeness activities, include, but are not limited to:

1. Agreements without a quid pro quo (e.g., compensation for work not performed);
2. Agreements where compensation is contingent on initial or continued enrollment at VT;
3. Agreements where compensation is contingent on specific athletic performance or achievement (e.g., financial incentives based on points scored). Note: Athletic performance may enhance a student-athlete’s name, image, and likeness value but athletic performance may not be the “consideration” for a name, image, and likeness activity;

Benefits provided to student-athletes through name, image, and likeness activities must be consistent with institutional policies of VT and commensurate with fair market value.

Reporting Requirement: All NIL agreements valued at $600 or more must be reported to the NIL Go clearinghouse within 5 business days of execution or agreeing to payment terms.

Prohibited Promotional Activities
Student-athletes must conduct their activities in adherence to a set of ethical standards which are compatible with those of Virginia Tech’s Core Values. VT in its sole discretion, retains the right to disapprove any activity deemed to suggest an endorsement by VT or that reflects unfavorably upon VT and/or VT student-athletes. VT retains the right to disapprove any activity that promotes or otherwise references certain prohibited categories. Specific prohibitions set forth by Virginia State law include the following:

• Any NCAA banned substances;
• Casinos or gambling, including sports betting;
• Alcohol products;
• Adult entertainment;
• Cannabis, cannabinoids, cannabidiol, or other derivatives;
• Dangerous or controlled substances;
• Performance enhancing drugs or substances;
• Drug paraphernalia;
• Tobacco and electronic smoking products and devices; and
• Weapons, including firearms and ammunition.

Use of Institutional Marks
A student-athlete may not use institutional logos and/or trademarks in non-institutional name, image, and likeness activities when a student-athlete is engaging in an activity which promotes or endorses a third-party service or product without written approval from Virginia Tech Licensing and Trademarks. Prohibited examples without authorization include, but are not limited to:

1. Wearing apparel or gear that visibly shows a registered VT logo/trademark*;
2. Social media content that includes a registered VT logo/trademark*

More info here: The Virginia Tech Brand

Reference to the Institution
Student-athletes are permitted to include a reference to VT consistent with institutional policies applicable to any student. For the avoidance of doubt, student-athletes are permitted to identify themselves as “Current VT Student-Athlete.”

Missed Class/Representing VT
Student-athletes are not permitted to miss class to participate in any non-institutional name, image, and likeness activity. Additionally, non-institutional name, image, likeness activities may not occur while the student-athlete has reported on call for practice, competition or any other VT Athletics’ sponsored activity.

International Student-Athletes
International student-athletes should not enter into any activities involving compensation for name, image, and likeness activities without first receiving guidance from Cranwell International Center to protect themselves against any potential immigration issues. International student-athletes are strongly encouraged to retain personal counsel to ensure compliance with applicable immigration, tax, and employment laws in connection with any NIL activity. Virginia Tech is not able to provide legal or immigration advice, and responsibility for adhering to federal regulations rests with the student-athlete.

Need Based Financial Aid
Eligibility for need-based financial aid, including the Pell Grant, could be impacted based on compensation from name, image, and likeness activities. Questions regarding the effect name, image, and likeness activities have on need-based financial aid should be directed to Virginia Tech Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid.

Disclosure

Virginia law requires student-athletes to disclose all name, image, and likeness (NIL) activities before the activity occurs. In addition, NCAA Division I Manual Article 22 requires all NIL agreements to be disclosed through the national NIL database, NIL Go, for review, approval and recordkeeping.

Disclosures must include:

• Any transactions and compensation arrangements;
• The fair-market value and valid business purpose of the activity;
• Details of relationships with all involved individuals, commercial entities, and/or third parties (including contact information and role).

All non-institutional NIL activities $600 or more must be disclosed directly through NIL Go who will then review the disclosure and confirm compliance with NCAA, ACC, and institutional requirements.

If an agreement or arrangement is amended after initial disclosure, the student-athlete must submit a new disclosure in NIL Go reflecting the updated terms.

Education
Virginia Tech will provide student-athletes with education regarding financial literacy, brand building, and educational workshops focusing on the name, image, and likeness activities. Contact the Virginia Tech Office of Student-Athlete Development for more information.