Back in Play

🚨 No Cap: Back in Play: What NIL Go’s Shift Means for You 

NIL Go Update: Collectives Are Back (with Conditions)

NIL Go launched June 11 with vague rules and uncertainty, requiring every deal over $600 to show a “valid business purpose.” For nearly a month, deals funded by Collectives were being denied, no matter the work performed or value delivered. But that didn’t last.

After pushback and legal pressure, the College Sports Commission (CSC) reversed its stance. Collectives are now approved businesses, as long as their deals fall within a “reasonable compensation range” (RCR). This position was then followed by an executive order from President Trump that recommends prohibiting third-party, pay-for-play payments.

Why this matters:
It means collectives can still do NIL deals with athletes, and that those deals, which pay athletes to promote an event, sign autographs for sale, and post social media content about the collective’s products, among other activities, can be a legitimate business purpose if their value is reasonable.

 This creates a “soft cap” above the $20.5M revenue share limit, meaning collectives can still fund NIL, potentially increasing opportunities for non-revenue sport athletes and expanding access beyond roster designations

What athletes should do now:

• Confirm every deal includes a clear purpose and value for services

• Use a Deal Sheet to organize key terms and deliverables

• Save proof of work (social posts, appearances, signed assets) for easy review

🏆 Athlete Playbook: What. Why. How

Brand Trend: Athletes Are the New Influencers

Brands aren’t just chasing followers anymore; they’re chasing connection, and athletes are delivering.

Recent data shows college athletes drive 1.2x more engagement on Instagram and 2x more on TikTok than traditional creators. That’s why brands are moving away from long-term celebrity and creator deals to short, high-impact athlete campaigns.

Why it matters:
Athletes don’t need millions of followers to be valuable. Your sport, your story, and your content can unlock brand deals across fitness, wellness, gaming, and more. 

🎯 Post with purpose. Track your engagement. Pitch what makes you different.

🔔 NRS Spotlight: Oklahoma State x NOCAP

Big win in Stillwater. Oklahoma State has officially partnered with NOCAP Revenue Services to launch a more innovative NIL model that supports and empowers athletes across sports with a more sustainable, structured, and scalable program.

The Cowboys are building something different. More support. Real systems. And a better future for athletes.