Last Edited: 1/30/2026 6:22:12 PM by RustyCat

Unfortunately, I know next to nothing about OHIO's NIL situation.  I asked my favorite AIBot about this issue and here was the response:

Yes, Ohio University has established a NIL collective known as the Ohio NIL Exchange. Launched in May 2022, this platform is designed to help Ohio student-athletes pursue opportunities related to their name, image, and likeness (NIL).

Ohio NIL Exchange Details
Purpose: The Ohio NIL Exchange connects student-athletes with businesses and individuals interested in partnering for brand-focused activities, enhancing their earning potential through NIL deals.
Collaboration: This initiative is in partnership with INFLCR, a leading athlete brand-building and NIL business management platform. It allows businesses to search for student-athletes and initiate contact for potential deals.
Features:

• A searchable database of student-athletes.
• Direct messaging capabilities for interested parties.
• Payment processing that ensures compliance with university and NCAA regulations.

Goals: The exchange aims to provide seamless and compliant NIL solutions to enhance the overall experience and opportunities for student-athletes at Ohio University.
By implementing this collective, Ohio University is positioning itself as a forward-thinking institution in terms of NIL opportunities within collegiate athletics.

Is this collective separate from the university?

Yes, the Ohio NIL Exchange operates separately from Ohio University itself. While it collaborates with the university, it is structured as an independent entity. This separation allows the collective to manage NIL opportunities for student-athletes without direct involvement from the university’s athletic department.

Key Points About the Separation
Independence: The collective functions autonomously, allowing for flexibility in how it connects student-athletes with businesses and individuals.
Compliance: By being independent, it can navigate the complex landscape of NIL regulations more freely and ensure that all activities comply with NCAA guidelines without direct oversight from the university.
Collaboration with the University: Despite the separation, the collective may still provide reports and updates to the university regarding its activities to maintain transparency.
This structure is typical among NIL collectives at various universities, aiming to provide student-athletes with opportunities while maintaining compliance and integrity within collegiate athletics.

I don't know about other states, but I can virtually guarantee you that all the records of this NIL Collective will be considered public records subject to FOIA requests.  The Ohio Supreme Court a number of years ago declared that university foundations, like the OU Foundation, though separate entities, are subject to FOIA requests because their sole purpose is in support of a state university.  I don't see a distinction between university foundations and NIL collectives, which are no more strictly private organizations than university foundations.