The Big Ten has instituted league-wide rules limiting league members in their involvement in name, image and likeness deals "in preparation for the anticipated passage of the Protect College Sports Act," the conference announced on Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The centerpiece of the newly adopted legislation is a cap of $49 million on NIL payments to athletes, which the conference said approximates the economic framework of the PCSA. Any violations of that cap will come with "escalating financial penalties and other disciplinary measures" from the conference.
The policy, which is effective immediately, applies only to institutional involvement in NIL, meaning athletes are free to pursue third-party NIL agreements that won't count against the cap.
Protect College Sports Act explained: What the bill means for athletes; who opposes it?
The timing of the move is deliberate on the Big Ten's part.
In a statement, the league said the move is intended to "both guide member institutions and alert the public as to Big Ten institutional constraints in upcoming NIL discussions with student-athletes" and "initiate the financial and operational mechanisms necessary to comply with PCSA limits in advance of upcoming signing and transfer portal windows."
After months of tinkering and lobbying, the Senate passed the PCSA on Sept. 28 with a 77-22 vote. The legislation does not yet have a scheduled date for a vote in the House of Representatives, which is in recess until Nov. 9.
In its statement, the Big Ten said its chancellors and presidents "continue to remain in unanimous support of the PCSA and look to demonstrate their commitment to it with the new rule."
“While we await the passage of the Protect College Sports Act, which has our full support, it is imperative our member institutions can begin to plan, budget and build their rosters approximating the act’s economic structure," Big Ten Council of Chancellors/Presidents Chair Pamela Whitten said in a statement. "Our institutions remain in full support of the Protect College Sports Act and this rule not only allows for a much smoother transition into the policies put in place by the act once it passes, but demonstrates our commitment to it.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Big Ten institutes $49 million NIL cap in anticipation of Protect College Sports Act
