In the final installment of our three-part primer series on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), Nate Snyder and Adam Brown spoke with Professor David Grenardo from the University of St. Thomas School of Law to discuss NIL and to see where Professor Grenardo believes NIL is headed in the future. Professor Grenardo is one of the leading scholars examining NIL and its surrounding issues, and he shares his thoughts and opinions regarding the next steps for NIL, including possibilities such as pay-for-play models, a free-market system, unionization, and revenue sharing. Professor Grenardo also discusses collectives, scholarships, the transfer portal, and the potential effects of a pay-for-play type of system on the structures in place in college athletics. Professor Grenardo talks about some of the policy considerations involved, both positive and negative, with NIL and its continued evolution, including the potential for exploitation of student-athletes, contract considerations and concerns, the potential impact on youth sports, opportunities for student-athletes to receive increased financial benefits, and the potential gains for sports, schools, and/or student-athletes at the margins. In addition, Professor Grenardo highlights some of the potential legislation, pending cases, and other things to watch for in the NIL arena (pun intended).

Thank you to Professor Grenardo for joining us for this very interesting conversation!