16 NCAC 06E .0208          Amateur rules for interscholastic athletics

(a)  As used in this Rule, the phrase "name, image, or likeness" or "NIL" shall refer to the use of a student's name, image, or likeness for commercial purposes and in exchange for compensation to the student. Compensation may include cash, in-kind gifts, or other tangible benefits to the student.

(b)  No student participating in interscholastic athletics shall enter into any agreement to use the student's name, image, or likeness in any of the following ways:

(1)           Public appearances or commercials.

(2)           Autograph signings.

(3)           Athletic camps and clinics.

(4)           Sale of non-fungible tokens ("NFTs").

(5)           Product or service endorsements.

(6)           Promotional activities, including in-person events and social media advertisements.

(c)  A student shall not participate in interscholastic athletics after any of the following:

(1)           Graduation from high school, except that the student may continue to participate in playoff and state championship contests in spring sports after graduation;

(2)           Signing a professional athletic contract, except that the student may continue to participate in any sport for which the student has not signed a professional contract.

(3)           Receiving remuneration as a participant in an athletic contest, except that the student may accept a gift, merchandise, or other thing of value, provided that:

(A)          The value does not exceed two hundred-fifty dollars ($250.00) per student per season;

(B)          The item is totally consumable and nontransferable, or labeled in a permanent manner (e.g., an engraved or monogrammed item); and

(C)          The item is approved by the principal of the student's school and the local superintendent.

(4)           Participating on an all-star team or in all-star game or bowl game that is not sanctioned by the administering organization of which the student's school is a member, provided that the student shall be ineligible only for that sport.

(d)  A student shall not be deemed ineligible under this Rule for payment by an administering organization, PSU, or athletic booster club affiliated with the student's school or PSU for essential expenses arising from a specific interscholastic athletic contest in which the student participates. Essential expenses shall include the reasonable cost of meals, lodging, and transportation.

(e)  A student shall not be deemed ineligible under this Rule for receipt of a nominal, standard fee or salary for instructing, supervising, or officiating an organized youth sports program, recreational activities, playground, or camp, whether or not affiliated with a PSU.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 115C-12(12); 115C-12(23); 115C-47(4); 115C-407.50; 115C-407.55; 115C-407.60;

115C-407.65; 116-235(b);

Temporary Adoption Eff. July 1, 2024.