Tallahassee Community College Athletics
Intercollegiate Student-Athlete Compensation and Rights

Related statutes/rules: Board of Education rule 6A-14.0582; Florida Statute 1006.74

As a member of the Florida College System, Tallahassee Community College (TCC) complies with Florida Statute § 1006.74 and Board of Education Rule 6A-14.0582, Florida Administrative Code, which outline the requirements related to intercollegiate student athlete compensation for Florida postsecondary students.

Definitions:

1. Affiliate: is someone who is a member of any college, athletic or foundation board or an employee or person of interest/volunteer approved by Human Resources.
2. Athletics Program: means an intercollegiate Athletics Program at a postsecondary educational institution.
3. Student-athlete:  is a student who participates in an intercollegiate Athletics Program at Tallahassee Community College

Purpose:

The purpose of this procedure is to describe the process for a Student-athlete to earn compensation for the use of his or her name, image, or likeness and the steps for such approval.

Procedure:

Student-athlete Compensation and Rights

1. Any Student-athlete may earn compensation for the use of his or her name, image or likeness (NIL) if the compensation is provided by a third party not an Affiliate of TCC.  Such compensation may not be provided in exchange for attending TCC or for athletic performance, including playing time and/or statistical opportunities. A Student-athlete who enters into a contract for compensation for his or her NIL is required to continue to meet his or her responsibilities and obligations as a Student-athlete including, but not limited to, class attendance, practice and game attendance, team travel or attendance at other official team activities;
2. Compensation may not extend beyond the Student-athlete’s participation in the Athletics Program at TCC;
3. A Student-athlete who enters into a contract for compensation for his or her NIL must adhere to Florida Statute § 1006.74(2);
4. A Student-athlete who is under the age of 18 must have any contract for compensation for the use of his or her NIL approved pursuant to Florida Statute § 743.08 and § 743.09.
5. A Student-athlete may not enter into a contract for compensation for his or her NIL if the contract conflicts with a clause found in a TCC’s team contract; 
6. A Student-athlete who intends to enter into a contract for compensation of his or her NIL must:
   1. notify in writing to the Director of Athletics of the intent to enter a contract prior to signing; and
   2. must disclose the contract to the Director of Athletics within 3-5 business days of signing.
   3. Incoming Student-athletes (i.e., first-time in college or transfer) must notify the Director of Athletics in writing within 3-5 days of enrolling at the College, and disclose and produce any existing contracts for compensation for his or her NIL.
   4. Student-athletes who violate any of these requirements may face disciplinary actions as determined by the Director of Athletics and Head Coach.
7. A Student-athlete may not use TCC logos or copyright protected names without prior written approval from either the Director of Athletics or Office of Communications and Marketing (authority dependent upon intended use).
8. A Student-athlete may obtain professional representation for the purpose of securing compensation for the use of his or her NIL.  A Student-athlete may not obtain professional representation for the purpose of future representation in professional sports without risking amateur status with the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA). Any agent obtained by a Student-athlete for NIL purposes must be licensed pursuant to Part IX Chapter 468 of F.S., and any attorney obtained by a Student-athlete for NIL purposes must be a member in good standing with the Florida Bar.
9. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) prohibits advertising for their championships in the following categories, therefore TCC discourages Student-athletes from entering into agreements in these areas.:
   1. NCAA banned substances
   2. Sports wagering/gambling
   3. Athletic recruiting services
   4. Alcohol
10. At the beginning of their first and third academic year, all student-athletes, including those who are not receiving compensation for their NIL, are required to complete 5 (clock not credit) hours of financial literacy and life skills training provided by TCC.

Tallahassee Community College Responsibilities

1. Tallahassee Community College Athletics will notify incoming Student-athletes of their right to pursue compensation for use of their name, image or likeness pursuant to Florida Statute and Board of Education rules.
2. TCC may not adopt or maintain a contract, rule, regulation, standard, or other requirement that prevents or unduly restricts the Student-athlete from earning compensation for the use of his or her NIL. Earning such compensation will not affect the Student-athlete’s grant-in-aid or athletic eligibility. If TCC asserts a Student-athlete’s contract for compensation for the use of his or her NIL conflicts with a clause found in the Student-athlete’s team contract, TCC must disclose each relevant contract term that conflicts with the team contract to the Student-athlete or his or her representative;
3. TCC may not compensate or cause compensation to be directed to any prospective or current Student-athlete for the use of his or her NIL. This constraint extends to any entity whose purpose includes supporting or benefiting TCC or its athletic programs or any officer, director, or employee of such institution or entity;
4. TCC may not prevent or restrict a Student-athlete from obtaining professional representation for the purpose of securing compensation for the use of his or her NIL.
5. TCC shall post or notify Student-athletes of his or her right to pursue compensation for use of their NIL pursuant to Florida Statute § 1006.74 and Board of Education Rule 6A-14.0582, Florida Administrative Code. This information is posted on the TCC athletics website at https://www.tcceagles.com and TCC will notify student-athletes of their right to pursue compensation for use of their NIL during Student-athlete orientation.
6. TCC may use a Student-athlete’s name, image or likeness to promote its Athletics Program’s games, seasons and/or activities.
7. All Student-athletes will receive 5 (clock not credit) hours of financial literacy and life skills training at the beginning of their first and third academic years.
   1. All Student-athletes, including those who are not receiving compensation for their NIL are required to complete the workshops.
   2. TCC will provide the 5 hours of financial literacy and life skills training to Student-athletes as part of Student-athlete orientation and/or as a component of college credit courses or online workshop modules. TCC will advise Student-athletes which college credit courses or online workshop modules offer the financial literacy and life skills training components needed for the Student-athlete to fulfill the 5-hour requirement.