The Big Ten is adopting a conference-level rule limiting its schools' involvement in third-party NIL agreements ahead of the potential congressional passage of the Protect College Sports Act. The rule, passed unanimously among league members, is intended to guide member institutions and alert the public as to Big Ten institutional constraints in upcoming NIL discussions with student-athletes. The PCSA would increase the amount of money schools can spend on direct payments to their players by $27.5 million, more than doubling the current $21.5 million spending cap.
Combined with institutional NIL payments permitted by the House settlement, the conference rule would restrict institutional involvement in student-athlete NIL agreements to a total of about $49 million per institution. The Big Ten said it would impose escalating financial penalties and other disciplinary measures for violations. The rule is effective immediately and each institution and its lead athletics staff must attest their compliance with the rule.
This policy applies to institutional action only as student-athletes remain free to pursue NIL opportunities on their own.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing