Exciting changes are coming to the College Sports Commission’s evaluation limits—and they’re poised to unlock new opportunities for athletes to secure NIL deals with far less red tape, even in non-revenue-generating sports.
The College Sports Commission (CSC) is responsible for reviewing certain NIL deals for fairness. When deals cross specified dollar thresholds, the CSC steps in to assess whether the compensation is reasonable and consistent with fair market value (FMV) , but fair market value is subjective. For example, a $5 million deal with a collective might reflect the FMV of endorsements from a star quarterback, but the CSC would likely flag that same deal if it were offered to a high school recruit. The goal is to ensure NIL arrangements operate as legitimate marketing agreements, not pay-for-play. In practice, many legitimate deals have been delayed simply because the CSC’s review backlog has slowed approvals. That ends this week.
Here’s the big news: Previously, the thresholds that triggered CSC review were quite restrictive—just $2,500 for individual deals and $15,000 in total compensation over an academic year. But starting July 1, 2026, those limits jump dramatically to $15,000 per individual deal and $50,000 in aggregate annual compensation. That’s a game-changer.[1]
What does this mean? Athletes can now earn up to $49,999 in NIL compensation during a single academic year without triggering any CSC review—no paperwork, no waiting, no hurdles. This is a huge win, especially for athletes in non-revenue-generating sports who previously had limited earning potential.
Athletes in non-revenue generating sports do not typically land blockbuster deals—but under the new rules, they don’t have to. An alumnus passionate about their school’s program could now easily structure multiple smaller deals that are in compliance with the new policy. Imagine four separate agreements worth $12,499 each over the academic year—that’s nearly $50,000 in earnings without any CSC intervention.
As long as those deals satisfy the “valid business purpose” requirement under NCAA Division I Bylaw 22.1.3, they’re good to go—no CSC review required.[2] That bylaw prohibits arrangements designed to induce a student-athlete to attend or remain at a particular school and requires legitimate promotion of goods or services. But with these significantly higher thresholds, athletes and their partners can move forward confidently without the delays and scrutiny of the old system.
The bottom line? This revised policy is set to expand NIL opportunities across a much wider range of athletes—particularly at well-resourced schools with strong alumni networks. The playing field is opening up, and athletes who were previously on the sidelines of NIL can now get in the game. As the NIL landscape continues to evolve, now is the time for athletes, schools, collectives, and businesses to take advantage of these new, more flexible rules.
Munck Wilson Mandala LLP is one of the nation’s only law firms with a dedicated NIL and sports law practice. Whether you are a student-athlete evaluating a potential NIL deal, a brand, university, or collective navigating compliance, or a party involved in an NIL dispute, our team is prepared to help.
Follow WeAreNIL to stay up to date on the latest sports news.
[1] College Sports Commission, memorandum to Division I institutions & conferences regarding NIL Deal Review and Agent Agreements (June 2026) (on file with author).
[2] NCAA Div. I Bylaw 22.1.3 (valid business purpose requirement).