Name, Image, Likeness at UConn

Before a student-athlete participates in an activity where they are compensated for the use of their name, image and/or likeness ("NIL Activity"), and that NIL Activity also includes the use of UConn Branding (as defined below), approval must be obtained from the Office of Brand Partnerships & Trademark Management.

What Needs Approval?

Many unique elements identify UConn's brand including, but not limited to:

Names and nicknames

Logos and seal

Unique fonts and colors

Landmarks

Imagery

Copywritten materials and other intellectual property

UConn maintains certain rights over all these items listed above (collectively, "UConn Branding"), and manages how UConn Branding is used by third parties, including use by student-athletes during NIL Activities.

To access the UConn Branding and Licensing Request Form, please read and acknowledge the Guidelines below.

Guidelines for NIL Activities Using UConn Branding

Use of UConn Branding on Merchandise/Retail Products

Student-athletes must receive prior written approval and follow UConn protocol, including licensing procedures and brand guidelines, in order to use UConn Branding on merchandise/retail products.

Any merchandise/retail products that contain UConn Branding needs to be manufactured by a UConn licensee who has NIL co-branded rights on its license agreement with UConn through its licensing agency, CLC. For a complete list of licensees with these rights, please email licensing@uconn.edu.

Licensees are responsible for negotiating all terms and conditions pertaining to the use of student-athlete NIL directly with the student-athlete, or their authorized representative. Those negotiations will not be conducted by UConn or CLC. In addition, UConn and CLC will not be responsible for the coordination, administration or pass-through of any royalty payments or other payments owed to the student-athlete for use of their NIL in connection with the creation and sale of merchandise/retail products.

UConn does not license UConn Branding for use in connection with certain categories of goods and services and reserves the right to decline any request that it feels conflicts with its licensing program.

Per UConn policies and procedures, all NIL Activities, including merchandise deals, must be disclosed through the Opendorse platform.

Use of UConn Branding by a Business or Organization

The use of UConn Branding by a business or organization for marketing and promotional activities is limited to those with sponsorship agreements with UConn, through its exclusive multimedia rights holder, UConn Sports Properties (Learfield).

The use of UConn Branding in conjunction with a business or organization as part of a NIL Activity will be reviewed and evaluated based on the business or organization's status as a sponsor, or willingness to become a sponsor, and may incur a related fee.

Businesses or organizations are responsible for negotiating all terms and conditions pertaining to the use of student-athlete NIL directly with the student-athlete, or their authorized representative.

Use of UConn Facilities and Grounds for NIL Activities

The use of UConn facilities and grounds for NIL Activities requires, at a minimum, prior written approval.

Commercial film or photography activities on UConn property will require a multi-step review and approval process through the Office of Brand Partnerships and Trademark Management, as well as University Communications, related to all creative elements associated with those activities.

UConn reserves the right to ensure NIL Activities involving the use of UConn facilities do not inadvertently pass-through association to an unauthorized business or organization through use of video and/or photography within those facilities.

Certain activities may necessitate additional requirements, including signing a use agreement, providing a certificate of insurance, payment of applicable use fees, etc.

Use of Photos/Videos for NIL Activities

All photos/videos distributed by UConn on Opendorse, or by any other means, are only shared with the student-athlete to build their personal brand on social media and may not be used for NIL Activities without prior written approval.

The use of any photos/videos by student-athletes for NIL Activities that include UConn Branding requires prior written approval.

Wearing UConn Apparel/Uniforms During NIL Activities

Student-athletes may wear UConn apparel/uniforms while building their personal brand on social media.

Student-athletes may not participate in a NIL Activity while wearing UConn apparel/uniforms without obtaining prior written approval.

UConn reserves the right to ensure NIL Activities involving student-athletes wearing UConn apparel/uniforms do not inadvertently pass-through association with UConn to an unauthorized business or organization.

Stating Factual Student-Athlete Information

A student-athlete may state factual information as part of a NIL Activity without the need for prior written approval (e.g., a biographic reference identifying the sport and position they play at UConn).

A student-athlete may not imply, directly or indirectly, that UConn is endorsing or is associated with a business, organization, service, or any products without obtaining prior written approval.

Questions?

For questions related to NIL Activities and UConn Branding, please email licensing@uconn.edu for assistance. For more information regarding NIL Activities at UConn, please click here.