Tag Archive for: Uncategorized

THE FUTURE IN SPORTS

On Sunday, February 13 sports fans around the country were able to watch the Olympics and Super Bowl. As athletes competed on the biggest stage, fans were left to reflect on how they reached the pinnacle of the sports world. Many were collegiate athletes at one point – and these days the opportunities are bigger than ever.


NIL UPDATE

Is there a benefit to state NIL laws?

A number of forward-thinking states passed legislation in late 2020 and early 2021 to establish laws governing how NCAA athletes could profit off of their names, images and likenesses. Now some states are rethinking those laws and are considering updated legislation so they remain consistent with other states.

Read Article >

NIL DEALS

NIL and crypto currency – words of the future!

If you can keep up with the terms ‘NIL’ and ‘cryptocurrency’, you are ahead of the game. Recently, several FSU softball players confirmed that they understand both of these terms by signing a deal with FTX.

Read Article >

FUTURE OF COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

How big is the push and pull of athletics?

We can see the impact of intercollegiate athletics on universities and colleges. Sports foster the feeling of community around collegiate campuses, encouraging people to be a part of something. And the student-athletes are the face of the growing industry. What does the future hold for intercollegiate athletics?

Read Article >

LEGISLATION UPDATES

Kentucky in the news

In Kentucky, lawmakers are moving forward with NIL legislation. Since last summer, an executive order signed by Gov. Andy Beshear took effect this was a short-term response pending state or national action. Now, as the collegiate sport industry continues to change, Kentucky has put out a plan that would set framework for college athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness but much of how it would be regulated would be left up to schools.

Read Article >

ABOUT SPRY

​​Spry CEO topping the headlines

Wake Forest University recently featured Lyle Adams and his success with Spry.

Read Article >

Meet the team behind Spry’s compliance solution. Each week we share stories from the team at Spry highlighting their journey to joining the team, the work they do, and some quirky fun along the way.

Christine Simmons

Position on the Team: Board Advisor

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Joined the Team: 2019

What is your favorite college sport to watch?
Basketball and Volleyball.

Did you play a sport in college? If so, tell us about your experience as a student athlete:
No.

What is your biggest hope that NIL unlocks for student athletes?
Opportunity and Education that best sets them up for success during and after their time as a student athlete.

If you could give one piece of advice to student athletes, what would it be?
You have had the power all along!

Read next: Meet Ellen Zavian, Spry’s Board Advisor

Meet the team behind Spry’s compliance solution. Each week we share stories from the team at Spry highlighting their journey to joining the team, the work they do, and some quirky fun along the way.

Keith Martin

Position on the Team: Board Advisor

Hometown: Owensboro, Kentucky

Joined the Team: November 2020

Tell us a little bit about your background and what you did prior to joining Spry:
CPA who worked in intercollegiate athletics for over 30 years and was at the NCAA for approximately 29 years.

In your own words, what do you do at Spry:
Advisory Board Member who assist the Spry Executive Team with strategic direction.

What has been your favorite moment while being a Spry team member?
Working with a young talented innovative team who works hard in developing customer solutions.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Watch and attend college football, basketball and NFL football games.

What is your favorite college sport to watch?
Football.

Did you play a sport in college? If so, tell us about your experience as a student athlete:
I played college football at the University of Kentucky where I met lifelong friends. I met my future wife of 37 years who was a student trainer at the time. It helped me build life skills that guides me toward success in my personal and professional life.

What is your biggest hope that NIL unlocks for student athletes?
The ability to educate student athletes of the NIL opportunities and to develop skills that will assist them in a successful career path.

If you could give one piece of advice to student athletes, what would it be?
Take advantage of the resources you have around you to assist you with your career path. Be bold!

Read next: Meet Ellen Zavian, Spry’s Board Advisor

Meet the team behind Spry’s compliance solution. Each week we share stories from the team at Spry highlighting their journey to joining the team, the work they do, and some quirky fun along the way.

Ellen Zavian

Position on the Team: Board Advisor

Hometown: Grew up in New Jersey, live in Maryland

Joined the Team: December 2020

Tell us a little bit about your background and what you did prior to joining Spry:
Representation of athletes.

In your own words, what do you do at Spry:
Brainstorm with really passionate folks.

What has been your favorite moment while being a Spry team member?
Listening to others as they approach an issue with a team passion.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Workout, read, and try to figure out my teen’s mind :)

What is your favorite college sport to watch?
None.

Did you play a sport in college? If so, tell us about your experience as a student athlete:
Competitive Body Building.

What is your biggest hope that NIL unlocks for student athletes?
Confidence and equality.

If you could give one piece of advice to student athletes, what would it be?
You alone, can make a difference… but you will need to paint a vision for other to join in your effort.

Read next: Meet Barbara Walker, Spry’s Board Advisor

Meet the team behind Spry’s compliance solution. Each week we share stories from the team at Spry highlighting their journey to joining the team, the work they do, and some quirky fun along the way.

Barbara Walker

Position on the Team: Board Advisor

Hometown: Warrensburg, MO

Joined the Team: Near the beginning

Tell us a little bit about your background and what you did prior to joining Spry:
I have 40 + years in Division I Intercollegiate Athletics.

In your own words, what do you do at Spry:
I volunteer.

What has been your favorite moment while being a Spry team member?
Getting to know the staff.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Garden, bake, exercise, walk my dog, Twila.

What is your favorite college sport to watch?
Tennis.

Did you play a sport in college? If so, tell us about your experience as a student athlete:
No.

What is your biggest hope that NIL unlocks for student athletes?
Informed decision making!

If you could give one piece of advice to student athletes, what would it be?
Enjoy the moment and take advantage of the amazing resources available.

Read next: Meet Grady Gu, Spry’s Senior Product Manager

While the NCAA might not require student-athletes to submit a disclosure (yet), your school might!

  • Disclosures do not exist to bog you down in paperwork or to get you into trouble. They are like an insurance policy! Consider them a trail of transparency. Should a contract or deal go sour, you are waaaay more protected if you disclose it. 
  • Disclosing to your school can also prevent you from accidentally breaking a rule and becoming ineligible. 

Is it worth the risk? 

Why do Student Athletes think they do not need disclosures?

  • At present, the NCAA has no legislation that explicitly requires student-athletes to disclose their NIL opportunities, although they do note that students should follow all institutional and state regulations regarding NIL disclosures
  • However, the NCAA has stated that it does not intend to enforce “non-compliance or rule-breaking” of institutional or state requirements.
  • Institutions and state agencies have not been aggressive about enforcing these rules so there are little to no repercussions for athletes who don’t disclose.  So why bother?

This is myth because:

  • State laws as well as institutional policies still mandate that all NIL transactions be disclosed with the student-athlete’s institution.  Even if disclosures aren’t being rigidly enforced right now, student-athletes will spare themselves potential problems down the road if they comply with the laws and policies that are mandated by their school and state.
  • Disclosing NIL transactions can actually benefit student-athletes.  While many students see disclosures as a burden, having a detailed record of opportunities as part of a comprehensive business portfolio can enhance the student’s marketability by demonstrating their value and appeal.
  • Having a record of the details of an NIL deal provides a level of transparency that can protect a student-athlete against potential NCAA violations.  Particularly in cases where a student-athlete enters into an NIL opportunity with an institutional booster, it will be important to document that the deal is a legitimate business arrangement and not merely a pay for play arrangement.

Before a student-athlete jumps to finally capitalize financially on his or her hard work accumulated over the years, it is important to consider that there is still a framework in which to work so that NCAA policies or state law are not violated. The student athlete (or representative of such student athlete) would be wise to first contact the compliance department of his or her respective school.