Safeguarding Amateur Athletes in the Era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)

In recent years, the landscape of college and amateur athletics has undergone a seismic shift with the advent of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights. No longer solely reliant on scholarships and stipends, student-athletes now have the opportunity to monetize their personal brand through various avenues such as social media, endorsements, and appearances. As the NIL market continues to expand, so too do the risks and challenges faced by these athletes. In this blog, we'll explore the rise of “professional” athletes on amateur sports teams and the importance of executive protection and campus safety in safeguarding their interests.

The Rise of NIL: A New Frontier in Athletics

Since the groundbreaking policy change on July 1, 2021, student-athletes have seized the opportunity to capitalize on their NIL rights, ushering in a new era in college and amateur sports. The NIL market, valued at a staggering $1 billion annually, has become a catalyst for change, empowering athletes to harness their influence and commercial appeal.

From lucrative brand deals to personalized merchandise, athletes are navigating a complex array of opportunities, often with the assistance of collectives and startups dedicated to maximizing their earning potential. However, with newfound fame and fortune comes increased scrutiny and potential security risks, necessitating robust protection measures.

Protecting Athletes in the NIL Era

As student-athletes navigate the intricacies of NIL partnerships and endorsement deals, ensuring their safety and well-being becomes paramount. Threat assessment and campus safety teams play a pivotal role in mitigating risks and safeguarding athletes in a rapidly evolving landscape.

With the rise of social media-driven marketing campaigns, fan engagement events, and venues that can pack the stands with many tens of thousands of spectators, athletes are increasingly exposed to potential threats both online and offline. From targeted harassment on social media to personal information being leaked on the deep and dark web, to unauthorized access to athletes at public appearances, the need for comprehensive security protocols is clear.

Embracing Technology for Enhanced Safety

In an age where real-time situational awareness is crucial, leveraging advanced technology solutions can provide invaluable support to security teams tasked with protecting high-visibility athletes. Modern OSINT platforms offering comprehensive situational awareness solutions and people and business search capabilities can empower security personnel with actionable insights to anticipate and respond effectively to potential threats.

By harnessing greater efficiency and faster access to data through the right platform, security teams can better identify emerging risks, receive alerts on social media activity, and proactively assess security vulnerabilities. From threat detection to crisis management, these tools enable security professionals to stay one step ahead in safeguarding the well-being of high-visibility student-athletes.

As the NIL landscape continues to evolve, the safety and security of star athletes must remain a top priority for universities, athletic departments, and security professionals alike. With Skopeow’s platform, higher education public safety teams and local law enforcement achieve 360-degree situational awareness and automated entity search capabilities, allowing them to enhance the protection of specific areas and athletes in the spotlight on campus.

Join over 1,500 organizations, including Fortune 500 companies as well as large government and law enforcement agencies, who rely on Skopenow to identify threats, fraud, and make better decisions. To explore the transformative potential of Skopenow, schedule a personalized demo today at www.skopenow.com/try.