NIL deals have enabled many gifted athletes in the US to earn from their name, image, and likeness as a form of compensation for their skills and popularity. While most NIL deals have been famously made with American college students such as USC basketball player Bronny James, University of Iowa’s basketball star Caitlyn Clark, and Olympic gymnast and gold medallist Jordan Chiles, some Caribbean athletes have also inked deals with major brands. Among them is Louisiana State University sophomore Brianna Lynston, who signed an NIL deal with Adidas in February 2024.
Lynston is currently the collegiate leader in women’s 60m, and while the Jamaican sprinter is known to be dedicated to her health and fitness and is passionate about her sporting career, it was reported that she has no plans to opt out of school and will complete her education at LSU. Most brands have been wary about making NIL deals with international students since they feel like these could lead to student visa violations. Fortunately, there are ways that Caribbean student athletes can leverage NIL deals in US colleges and universities to make a profit without breaking the rules.
Passive NIL Engagement
If you’re a Caribbean NCAA athlete and you’ve been approached by a brand for an NIL deal, there are some things that you should do so you can abide by the rules of your student visa and the laws of your college’s state. First, get information on NIL earnings so you’ll have a general idea on how much you’ll potentially make if you sign with certain brands. Next, read up on US student visa laws so you’ll know if it’s legal for you to earn money while you’re in college.
International students usually get issued an F-1 or student visa, and having this type of visa automatically restricts you from engaging in employment outside of on-campus work. If a certain brand tells you that the deal that they’re offering won’t get you in trouble since you’ll only be posting pictures of their products on social media, it’s likely that they’re not properly informed about the rules. Promoting on social media is still an active form of NIL engagement, which is basically the same as appearing in an ad or making personal appearances. Active NIL engagements are against F-1 visa guidelines, but passive NIL engagements are not. As long as the brand only uses your image or likeness for jerseys, sports cards, and other merchandise and there’s no work involved in the transaction, you can legally earn from your NIL contract and collect licensing royalties later on.
Sign NIL Deals with Brands from Your Home Country
Caribbean NCAA athletes may be restricted from maximizing their earnings from an NIL deal, but there’s a way for you to earn more. While on holiday in your home country, consider talking to a few local brands that are hoping to sign you up for an NIL deal. You’re allowed to go in on a contract with brands from your country, provided that they pay you in the local currency and not in US dollars. See to it that the terms of your contract won’t get in the way of your education or sporting career, as well as any other existing NIL deals in the US. For instance, if a brand promises to sponsor you but they require you to make several local appearances in a year, see if you can get them to agree to cut down the number of appearances, and ask if they could work around your schedule.
Caribbean athletes are currently facing certain restrictions if they sign NIL deals in the US. While it may take time before international students can be on even footing as their American counterparts, knowing how to leverage NIL deals can be beneficial as they work towards a more lucrative future.
