Arkansas State University athletics staff hosted a NIL Lunch and Learn to discuss the future of Name, Image and Likeness in college sports.

Chancellor Todd Shields, Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Jeff Purinton and Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director Amy Holt discussed the ongoing NIL house settlement and A-State’s “one pack” mentality.

NIL was originally filed in 2020 and is being worked on this week. 

Purinton said the college needs to be prepared for what NIL might look like for A-State.

“The silver lining is that we’re all working together. We like to say we’re one pack,” Shields said. “We’ve created committees of athletics and people on the campus side of things so we’re working to make sure our fundraising is strategic, that our finances are strategic and maximize our success. We’re making sure our communication is aligned and strategic.”

Shields said with NIL news developing constantly, it is not a situation that is easy to immediately understand.

Richey said NIL will offer new challenges and opportunities alike throughout colleges.

If approved, there will be roster caps for sports, the ability to add or remove scholarships and revenue share, which could be up to $20.5 million for the larger conferences such as the SEC, Big 12, Big Ten and Atlantic Coast Conference. 

With the possible addition of NIL throughout college sports, finances regarding campus athletics will have to be handled differently. Purinton said A-State will have to be more efficient with spending.

“We’re doing a deep dive into that because every dollar is going to matter, now more than ever,” Purinton said.

Shields said the whole process will have to be a huge trial and error period with everything and everyone involved. 

Amy Holt said student athletes will be able to learn important life skills if the settlement goes through, such as being able to manage their money.

“The positive aspect is they’re going to get money for their performance and they’re going to benefit off of that,” Holt said.

In regards to fans being worried about the future of A-State sports, Shields said no sports will be cut, especially with the success athletics have had in the recent seasons. 

“You see a lot of institutions that are doing that in order to afford where we’re going. We’re not in that place and largely because we are all working together and spending hours and hours and spreadsheets, making sure we can save every penny and use it in the right place.” Shields said. 

Holt said the community has seen A-State come together and support one another. 

“I think it’s exciting to hear that everybody is excited about where the direction of this whole university is going with athletics as well,” Holt said. “We’re making the one pack statement. We’re going in the right direction, whether it’s athletics or the whole campus,” Holt said.  

Holt said they will communicate with the community on any developments.

“Once we know, we’re going to continue trying to put it out there for everybody to help buy in and become our one pack with us,” Holt said. 

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