The U.S. Department of Education announced that Title IX does not cover name-image-likeness (NIL) agreements between colleges and student athletes, rescinding previous guidance from the Biden administration that called for equitable distribution of earnings among male and female athletes. Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor criticized the earlier claim, emphasizing a lack of legal justification for such requirements. This development follows President Trump's executive order concerning transgender athletes and could set a new precedent for compliance with Title IX in college sports, especially as athletes prepare for new compensation opportunities due to NIL agreements.
The Biden Administration claimed that NIL agreements between schools and student athletes are akin to financial aid and must, therefore, be proportionately distributed.
This decision overturns a memo issued in December about how gender equity laws would apply to a new era of college sports.
The NCAA and its power conferences have agreed to share up to $20.5 million in direct payments to its athletes via NIL deals.
The Trump administration's statement about Title IX marks a significant shift in how gender equity in sports may be enforced moving forward.
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