How NIL is Evolving in the Ivy League

This past July, I published a blog post Navigating NIL in the Ivy League and today we’re circling back due to recent news from Penn men’s basketball. Head coach Fran McCaffery shared that the program is now utilizing an NIL collective supported by alumni and donors to fund legitimate NIL deals and paid internships for players.

Why This Matters 

This initiative represents the first official tool within the Ivy League that allows third-party financial support for student-athletes beyond traditional endorsement opportunities.

Prior to this, student-athletes interested in monetizing their NIL could do so but it was entirely independent of the institution without direct involvement via institutional infrastructure. The Ivy League chose to opt out of the House v. NCAA settlement, which created a university-funded revenue model for athletes at participating schools. Conference leaders stated that such a “pay-for-play” approach conflicted with the Ivy League’s academic principles.

What This Means

An NIL collective is typically a group of alumni, boosters, or supporters who pool funds to create NIL opportunities for student-athletes, such as endorsements, appearances, or social media promotions.

In this case, the collective is accepting donations and then paying basketball players for what they’re calling “paid internships.” This is more of a loophole in my opinion, since these internships are being used as a way to financially support athletes under the label of NIL, even though it may not fit the technical definition of NIL activity.

Under true NIL rules, athletes are supposed to be compensated for the commercial use of their name, image, or likeness (for example, promoting a product or brand). If the players are instead being paid for performing work (like an internship role that may or may not involve their personal brand), that’s employment compensation, not NIL.

The Silver Lining

Opinions aside, the opportunities are there for student-athletes to take part in, and that in itself is progress. As NIL continues to evolve, moments like this highlight how complex the landscape has become, where education, policy, and opportunity intersect.

At Polaris Athlete, we believe this is where the real work happens. Our mission is to empower student-athletes to navigate their journey with clarity, confidence, and purpose. That means helping them understand the difference between NIL and employment, guiding them toward compliant, sustainable opportunities, and ensuring that every decision supports both their personal and academic growth.

The goal is not just to chase deals. It is to help student-athletes make informed choices, build meaningful experiences, and develop the skills and character that will serve them long after their playing days are over.