NIL Archives - The Pitt News

Column | NIL has its flaws, but it is still an inherently good system

By Brian Sherry, Staff Writer • June 8, 2022

After less than one year since the NCAA instituted new NIL rules allowing players to capitalize on their name, image and likeness, college athletics finds itself in murky waters.

Agencies aim to help athletes capitalize on NIL laws

By Kyle Saxon and Dalton Coppola • October 6, 2021

The NCAA’s new policy allowing college athletes to profit off of their NIL has already dramatically altered the landscape of collegiate athletics. For Pitt athletes and college athletes in general, the rules opened a vast window of opportunity.

Uncertainty defines first month of new NIL rules

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • August 17, 2021

Since its inception, the NCAA has held that college athletes cannot and will not be paid for their name, image or likeness. Athletes were ineligible to accept endorsements or receive payment for their performance — all to maintain the amateurism surrounding college athletics. But new rules and regulations regarding name, image and likeness benefits for college athletes will change this long-standing rule.

Pickett gets new ride in NIL deal with Bowser Automotive

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • August 11, 2021

Pickett added Bowser Automotive — a car dealership in Pleasant Hills, about 30 minutes south of Oakland — to his list of endorsements late last week.

Pickett, Oaklander announce first NIL partnership for a Pitt athlete

By Stephen Thompson, Senior Staff Writer • July 16, 2021

Pitt super-senior quarterback Kenny Pickett became the first Panther to announce an endorsement deal on Thursday afternoon. Pickett tweeted that he is partnering with The Oaklander Hotel on Bigelow Boulevard for his first NIL deal and will treat the offensive line to what he calls weekly “Hog Dinners” at Spirits and Tales, a restaurant on the hotel’s top floor.

Column | Don’t forget who kept NIL off the table for college athletes

By Stephen Thompson, Senior Staff Writer • July 14, 2021

The same institutions and people that actively campaigned against the mildest of player compensation solutions — releasing name, image and likeness rights to the athletes — are now attempting to pull an ambitious 180 and jump on the bandwagon long after it has left.

New NIL rules met with uncertainty, excitement for Pitt Athletics

By Dalton Coppola, Sports Editor • July 1, 2021

But with different states enacting different rules — the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a bill last week that allows athletes to capitalize on NIL — it appears as though uncertainty and confusion is common among Pitt Athletics staff and the nation as a whole about the future of collegiate athletics.

Pa. General Assembly passes NIL changes in state budget package

By Stephen Thompson, Senior Staff Writer • June 30, 2021

The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation last week which would allow college athletes to profit off of their own name, image and likeness. Included as part of the annual state budget package, the changes would go into effect as soon as it is signed by Gov. Tom Wolf, which could happen as soon as this week.

Lyke talks football scheduling, gambling and campus returns

By Stephen Thompson, Sports Editor • July 24, 2020

Athletic Director Heather Lyke said she is not encouraged by the way the COVID-19 pandemic mitigation is progressing. As cases continue to rise across the country — particularly in Pitt’s home of Allegheny County — she offered a pessimistic, yet not definitive answer to what she called “the million dollar question” — will college football be played in 2020?