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SB 2517

"MS Intercollegiate Athletics Compensation Rights Act" and "Uniform Athletes Agent Act"; bring forward.

2025 Regular Session

Mississippi allows colleges, third parties, and student‑athletes to negotiate and receive compensation for publicity rights while protecting trademarks and student privacy.

Approved by Governor
#accountability #efficiency #transparency #universitiesandcolleges
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Bill Summary · SB 2517

Summary — SB 2517: "MS Intercollegiate Athletics Compensation Rights Act" (bring forward)

Status: Approved by Governor (Apr 23, 2025)
Introduced: March 13, 2025 | Sponsor: Sen. Don Harmon
Primary codified sections: Mississippi Code §§ 37-97-103, 37-97-105, 37-97-107 (brought forward / amended)

Purpose / Intent

SB 2517 modernizes and codifies rules governing student‑athletes’ publicity rights (commonly called name/image/likeness or “NIL” rights) in Mississippi. The bill clarifies the ability of postsecondary institutions, third parties, and student‑athletes to negotiate, facilitate, and receive compensation for use of a student‑athlete’s publicity rights while preserving institutional trademark control and certain NCAA/conference compliance requirements.

Key provisions

  • Definitions (Miss. Code §37‑97‑103): establishes terms such as “compensation,” “student‑athlete,” “postsecondary educational institution,” “publicity rights,” “intercollegiate athletics program,” and “third party” (explicitly includes 26 U.S.C. §501(c)(3) charities).
    • “Compensation” excludes scholarships, fellowships, tuition assistance, or other educational financial aid.
  • Rights to facilitate and receive NIL compensation (§37‑97‑105):
    • Postsecondary institutions (and their officers/employees) may identify, create, solicit, facilitate, negotiate, support, and otherwise enable opportunities for student‑athletes to earn compensation for publicity rights — directly or via third‑party agreements.
    • Institutions may discuss these opportunities with recruits and enrolled athletes.
    • Institutions may not (a) accept compensation from student‑athletes for facilitating such opportunities, (b) improperly influence a student’s choice of professional representation, or (c) act in bad faith to suppress competing third‑party opportunities.
    • Third parties are permitted to compensate student‑athletes for publicity rights, including promotion of events, the institution, or athletic programs.
    • Institutional compensation of student‑athletes is allowed only to the extent consistent with legally enforceable rules of national associations, conferences, or other sport‑governing bodies.
  • Disclosure, privacy, and record protections:
    • Institutions may require student‑athletes to disclose NIL agreements or terms to a designated institutional official before compensation is paid.
    • Student‑athlete agreements and related documents are exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act.
    • Student‑athletes cannot be compelled to disclose such agreements to national associations, conferences, or other sport governing bodies.
  • Limits and trademark control (§37‑97‑107):
    • NIL agreements formed while an athlete intends to enroll or is participating may be terminated when the athlete’s participation ends.
    • Institutions may impose reasonable time/date limits on publicity activities.
    • Institutions retain exclusive control over their marks/logos; athletes may not use registered/licensed institutional marks in NIL contracts without prior written permission. If permission is granted, the institution may receive compensation.
    • Institutions may impose certain apparel/logo restrictions on athletes while participating in institutional activities (provisions in the file are partially truncated).

Who is affected

  • Student‑athletes (prospective and enrolled) — expanded ability to receive compensation for publicity rights with privacy protections.
  • Public and private postsecondary institutions and their staff — explicit rights to facilitate NIL activity and enforce trademark policies.
  • Third‑party businesses, boosters, and charities — authorized to enter NIL compensation arrangements.
  • Athletic conferences and national associations — institutional actions must remain consistent with any legally enforceable rules they promulgate.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced and filed March 13, 2025; underwent committee amendment (Committee Amendment No. 1 adopted).
  • Conference committee activity and multiple floor actions in March 2025.
  • Enrolled and signed April 7, 2025; approved by Governor April 23, 2025.
  • Codifies and clarifies existing Mississippi statute language (bringing forward §§ 37‑97‑103, 37‑97‑105, 37‑97‑107) with specified procedural and privacy safeguards.

Note: Some text in the provided amendment was truncated; final statutory language should be consulted in the official codified version for detail (e.g., full apparel/logo restriction language).

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

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