Mizzou Athletics Continues NIL Evolution

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Recent enhancements to the state’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) law will further benefit University of Missouri student-athletes and their ability to capitalize on NIL.

Originally signed into law on July 13, 2021, and amended in spring 2022 and on Thursday, July 6, 2023, the state’s NIL law has several changes, including:

• Allowing individuals employed by, or closely associated with, universities in the state of Missouri to assist with negotiation of NIL deals on behalf of student-athletes.
• Prospective student-athletes who have signed a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to attend a postsecondary educational institution in the state of Missouri are allowed to earn NIL compensation. 
• Postsecondary educational institution in the state of Missouri can establish uniform policies for licensing its intellectual property (logos and photos) to student-athletes pursuing NIL ventures.
• Student-athletes are now permitted to promote events they participate in.

The new law goes into effect on Aug. 28, 2023.

“We are extremely grateful for the hard work of our state legislators to advance all of Missouri’s higher-education institutions through this NIL amendment,” Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois said. “This amendment will provide our schools and our current and future student-athletes with the flexibility needed to remain competitive, as the State of Missouri continues to lead the way in the modern-day evolution of intercollegiate athletics. We look forward to the next steps in this important process.”

“I want to thank our state lawmakers for their support of student-athletes across the state of Missouri,” Football Head Coach Eliah Drinkwitz said. “This bill represents another step forward in allowing us to be extremely competitive in the NIL landscape. We are excited about what that means for Mizzou Football.”

“Our men’s basketball program is thankful for the continued support from state leaders and their commitment to enhancing NIL legislation,” Whitten Family Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dennis Gates said. “Providing our student-athletes with the best possible opportunities is our number one priority at Mizzou. This new legislation will help our players maximize their value as we…