With an increasing number of state laws defying NCAA rules and with the association's efforts to secure a federal NIL bill looking increasingly fruitless, movement is underway to devise a backup plan. 

The NCAA's NIL subcommittee has been tasked with exploring a Plan B in case Congress does not act by passing a federal bill. The NCAA Division I Council received updates on the work of the subcommittee on June 27 and 28 at NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, a source with direct knowledge of the meetings told On3 last week.

The purpose of the meetings – attended both days by first-year NCAA President Charlie Baker – extended beyond merely discussing NIL-specific guidance. Rather, the source said, the purpose was to develop details around an NIL-specific proposal in case Congress doesn't act to pass a federal NIL bill.

The source stressed the meetings do not reflect a pivot in strategy by the NCAA. The NCAA continues to aggressively lobby Congress for a federal bill while the subcommittee explores potential backup plans.

A larger meeting, featuring a broader swath of stakeholders, is expected to occur later this summer in Indianapolis to solicit additional feedback on a potential draft of an NIL-specific proposal.

That could be in the form of a draft of a federal bill to present to Congress or new overall NIL-specific guidelines. Specific elements that will be included in a potential NIL proposal remain unclear. 

An important note: Pros and cons of a potential revenue-sharing model were not addressed. Nor was a potential employee model. The conversation remained narrowly focused on NIL. 

Mit Winter, a college sports attorney at Kennyhertz Perry, said, "Any current discussion by the NCAA about a new NIL proposal that doesn't also include discussion on revenue sharing and a potential employment model is once again failing to plan."

The subcommittee's drafting of a potential NIL proposal comes amid an intensifying clash between states and NCAA guidelines. Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas passed school-friendly laws in conflict with NCAA rules.

In response, the NCAA issued a memo stating schools must still adhere to NCAA legislation. Undeterred, last Thursday Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed into law amended legislation, preventing the NCAA from even opening investigations into NIL activity by in-state schools.

"The NCAA has been saying, until just recently, follow your state law if you have one," Jim Cavale, CEO and founder of INFLCR, said. "Now all of a sudden they're changing their tune. They still haven't set any rules. People are acting like this memo is a set of bylaws. It's not. It's just suggestions and recommendations. And it's the new tune, because before they would say, 'Hey, we want you to listen to the states.' Now they are saying, 'Hey, don't listen to your state.'"

With its NIL subcommittee drafting a new proposal, the next chess move belongs to the NCAA. – Eric Prisbell

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is hosting a youth football camp on July 22 at Hill Country Middle School in Austin, Texas. He will be joined by tight end teammate Ja'Tavion Sanders at the event, which is made possible through NIL.

The three-hour camp is open to boys and girls ages eight to 16. Ewers, who has an On3 NIL Valuation of $1.1 million, promoted the camp on Twitter.

The promotional graphic featured the logos of Octane Football and Wilson. Octane Football, which runs a 7v7 league, has previously partnered to host camps with San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard.

Last week Ewers also announced he's hosting his first NIL event for Texas fans, boosters and alumni at Golfinity in Austin. "An Evening with Quinn Ewers" is scheduled for later in the day after he and Sanders host the youth football camp on July 22. – Andy Wittry

Missouri and New York have been added to the growing list of states to sign NIL reform into law, allowing institutions to bypass NCAA oversight. 

Amidst growing concern from the NCAA, schools like Mizzou and Syracuse can now create NIL opportunities for athletes at will. Missouri's new law allows employees, including coaches, to identify, create and negotiate NIL deals. 

The language of the New York law is almost nearly identical to what was recently passed in Oklahoma, which benefits schools in recruiting and retaining talent.

The moves have created mounting pressure on the NCAA, which has embraced Congressional oversight as the governing body's future. In an NCAA memo sent out to institutions last month, schools were reminded college athletics rules are adopted by members. 

The changes could also lead to more states following in Missouri and New York's footsteps. For example, lawmakers in Michigan have also expressed an interest in researching new NIL legislation. Either way, multiple observers believe more and more states will follow Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and others with NIL reform in their next legislative sessions. – Pete Nakos

+LSU defensive back Greg Brooks Jr. is the latest star Tiger student-athlete to sign an NIL deal with Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys. Brooks has an On3 NIL Valuation of $98,000. The law firm has emerged as one of the largest spenders in the LSU market, disbursing major marketing dollars on endorsement deals with college athletes.

+K-State freshmen Avery Johnson and Will Anciaux used their NIL to promote Cut Rate Lawn Care through a deal facilitated by Wildcat NIL. The Wichita, Kansas, natives appeared in a commercial promoting the lawn-care company that's based in their hometown. Johnson was the star signing of the Wildcats' 2023 recruiting class. He has an On3 NIL Valuation of $315,000.

+Nebraska All-Big Ten golfer Kelli Ann Strand has inked an NIL partnership with The 1890 Initiative. With its strong support of female student-athletes, 1890 continues to build on its resume as one of On3's top 20 most ambitious NIL collectives.

+Mike Mitchell Jr. – a former four-star recruit who transferred this offseason from Pepperdine to Minnesota – agreed to an NIL deal with Gopher-focused collective Dinkytown Athletes. As a sophomore, Mitchell averaged 11.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and five assists at guard.

For more details, visit the On3 NIL Deal Tracker.

To advertise in the On3 NIL and Sports Business Newsletter, which reaches key decision-makers in college sports three times per week, please contact [email protected].