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SB 1017

Higher education: other; name, image, and likeness contract regulations; provide for. Amends 2020 PA 366 (MCL 390.1731 - 390.1741) by adding sec. 6a.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sam Singh

SB 1017 restricts NIL deals to end with a student’s eligibility, requires Michigan-based dispute resolution and law, and voids any contract or fee arrangement extending post-eligib

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON REGULATORY AFFAIRS
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Bill Summary · SB 1017

Summary of SB 1017 (Michigan, 2025-2026)

Purpose and intent

SB 1017 amends the state’s 2020 MI law (PA 366) governing name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for college athletes. The bill adds a new section (Sec. 6a) intended to restrict certain NIL contracts and related agent arrangements to ensure they do not extend beyond a student athlete’s intercollegiate eligibility or otherwise undermine Michigan law or policy on NIL compensation.

Key provisions

  • Sec. 6a(1): Prohibits a student athlete from entering into an NIL contract if it:

    • (a) remains in effect after the student is no longer eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics.
    • (b) requires consideration that extends beyond eligibility, including:
    • (i) compensation earned for NIL use after eligibility ends, or
    • (ii) rights to NIL use beyond eligibility.
    • (c) requires disputes to be resolved in a jurisdiction outside Michigan (litigation/arbitration in another state).

  • Sec. 6a(2): Prohibits an athlete agent from entering into an agent contract that would continue beyond the student’s intercollegiate eligibility with respect to NIL opportunities.

  • Sec. 6a(3): Prohibits an athlete agent from fee arrangements that require the student to provide as consideration:

    • (a) post-eligibility compensation for NIL, or
    • (b) rights to NIL after eligibility ends.

  • Sec. 6a(4): For NIL contracts that do involve compensation, requires that any dispute resolution (litigation/arbitration) occur in Michigan and be governed by Michigan law.

  • Sec. 6a(5): Obligates all contract parties to ensure compliance with Sec. 6a.

  • Sec. 6a(6): Addresses contracts for student athletes transferring from outside Michigan who continue to have NIL compensation:

    • Applies if the contract provides NIL compensation and is in effect on transfer date and continues after transfer.
    • Requires compliance with Sec. 6a.

  • Sec. 6a(7): Declares a contract entered in violation of Sec. 6a to be void.

  • Sec. 6a(8): Definitions:

    • (a) “Athlete agent”: person who recruits, solicits, or procures employment for a student athlete or negotiates for professional opportunities; excludes immediate family members.
    • (b) “Compensation”: money, thing of value, or financial benefit.
    • (c) “Intercollegiate athletics”: sport with eligibility rules set by an athletic body or conference.
    • (d) “Name, image, and likeness”: individual’s name, voice, signature, photograph/image, likeness, or distinctive appearance with commercial value.
    • (e) “Student athlete”: individual who engages in or is eligible to engage in intercollegiate athletics; excludes intramural participants and professional athletes.

Affected parties

  • Student athletes participating in intercollegiate athletics at Michigan postsecondary institutions.
  • Athlete agents and athletic talent managers working with Michigan student athletes.
  • Postsecondary institutions in Michigan that host intercollegiate sports.
  • Potentially, families and other close affiliates acting as or working through agents, given definitions.
  • Out-of-state contracts or disputes involving Michigan-eligible athletes (subject to the new Michigan-law dispute/resolution requirements).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Status: Introduced and referred to the Committee on Regulatory Affairs (as of 2026-06-04).
  • Effective date: Not specified in the text provided; typical practice would require enactment and signing to take effect, with prospective application for contracts entered after the effective date. The bill’s voiding provision suggests a strong compliance focus for existing and future contracts.
  • Enforcement: Violations render NIL contracts void; disputes governed by Michigan law and resolved in Michigan courts/arbitration when applicable.

Practical impact

  • Tightens the end date and governing framework for NIL contracts tied to Michigan student athletes.
  • Aims to prevent post-eligibility compensation or rights from being tied to NIL deals.
  • Keeps dispute resolution and governing law within Michigan for NIL contracts, where applicable.
  • Encourages clear alignment between NIL opportunities and a student athlete’s active eligibility window.
  • Could affect how athlete agents structure agreements and fee arrangements, ensuring no commissions or rights extend beyond eligibility and ensuring Michigan-based dispute resolution.

If you’d like, I can add a comparative brief with how this bill interacts with existing federal NIL rules and related state laws, or prepare a one-page quick-read version for stakeholders.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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