The CWRU NIL Lab

The Case Western Reserve University Department of Physical Education and Athletics and the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship are collaborating to launch the NIL Lab during the 2025-26 academic year to equip student-athletes with the tools necessary to effectively brand themselves in a manner that not only allows them to pursue NIL deals while attending the University, but also to continue that personal branding into their professional careers.

Background

In recent years, the NCAA has allowed student-athletes to receive compensation from third parties using their personal brand, often referred to as their name, image, and likeness (NIL).

However, at the Division III level, NIL deals have been both infrequent and inconsequential (averaging just $636 per deal and often significantly less). Furthermore, the student-athletes who pursue these deals have often been ill-equipped to be successful in the realm, lacking the knowledge to negotiate and fulfill the agreements, while also not having full understanding of the compliance and tax implications of any income earned.

The CWRU program is designed to bridge that knowledge gap to not only allow student-athletes to take advantage of NIL opportunities but to thrive in the modern NIL environment. It is also our belief that these skills can be successfully applied to our student-athletes' future endeavors, including interviewing, acquiring necessary job skills, and creating a personal brand that can positively influence future career success.

Aligning with the CWRU Mission, Vision, & Values

Similar to how a biomedical engineering major at CWRU receives lab training to give them real-life hands-on experience in their field, the goal of the CWRU NIL Lab is to give our student-athletes an opportunity to put the skills learned to immediate use and hone them for use in their future endeavors. This approach aligns with the University's mission to provide "learning that is active, creative and continuous."

Skills to be Explored

The CWRU NIL Lab will rely on a series of experts at several meetings during the academic year to equip participants with the tools necessary to successfully build and execute their personal brand. Topics to be covered include:

• Creating a personal brand

• Content creation

• Selling yourself and your brand

• Signing and fulfilling NIL contracts

• Tax and other financial implications of NIL deals

• The intersection of NCAA compliance and NIL

In addition, student-athletes participating in the CWRU NIL Lab will have the opportunity to collaborate with their peers in order to share ideas to further encourage personal growth.

Interested?

The CWRU NIL lab is set to launch in the Fall of 2025. If you are interested in participating, please fill out the interest form at https://forms.gle/f4XbKz1SxbmQPAJJA.

Please reach out to Associate Athletic Director Jon Schwartz at jxs1341@case.edu with any questions regarding the CWRU NIL Lab.