USGA / R&A to Allow Collegiate Golfers to Profit on Name, Image & Likeness
The governing bodies of golf, USGA and R&A, announced that they will allow collegiate golfers to profit off their name, image and likeness (NIL).
This comes after the Supreme Court ruled against the NCAA last week, allowing all college athletes to make some money off their own brand.
Earlier this year, the USGA announced they would be modernizing the rules for Amateurs starting in 2022.
“We’ve been here for a few years, wanting to get rid of name, image and likeness rules. We proposed that in February to the world, and it was very well received. We’re just not to 2022 yet,” said USGA Senior Director Craig Winter in a three page memo, according to Golf Digest.
However, according to the memo, there will be restrictions.
The restrictions are as follows:
• The NIL-related actions are allowed under the NCAA’s interim policy.
• He or she remains on a team roster while the NIL-related activities take place.
• There are no other breaches of the Rules of Amateur Status in connection with the NIL activities. An example of this would be providing golf instruction, which while OK per the NCAA is not allowed under the Rules of Amateur Status.
The memo adds that college golfers who are benefiting from NIL, will have to show proof of their NCAA eligibility to the USGA before competing in USGA sanctioned tournaments.
After the ruling against the NCAA, several college golfers across the country have already signed on with Barstool Sports and other entities.