On Maryland men’s basketball media day, the sideline was covered in round tables that were surrounded by cameras and microphones. As the players exited the locker room and searched for their designated spot, it was easy for them to find. Each player had a placard with their name, year, position and now, their social media handle thanks to the interim policy approved by the Division I Board of Directors that allows NCAA athletes to benefit from their name, image and likeness (NIL).
Since July 1, when the policy went into effect, college athletes across the country have been navigating this new terrain through making deals, promoting their personal brand and growing their social media pages.