The SEC implemented standardized contracts for name, image, and likeness (NIL) and revenue-sharing contracts, according to CBS Sports.
The outlet reported that SEC school presidents voted Monday to make this change. These contracts, which will include customizable portions, went into effect immediately.
SEC is the second Power Four Conference to utilize standardized contracts. The Big Ten was the first conference to do this in April.
Under the revenue-sharing agreement from the House v. NCAA settlement, participating schools can distribute up to $21.6 million to all their student-athletes in the 2026-2027 academic year.
The House v. NCAA settlement requires the NCAA and other conferences to pay almost $2.8 billion to current and former Division I athletes from 2016 onward who couldn’t receive NIL compensation while in school.
All the Power Four conferences are participating in the settlement, as is Notre Dame, an independent school.
The SEC’s move toward self-governance comes as Congress considers regulating college sports. The Protect College Sports Act (PCSA) passed the U.S. Senate in September and is now in the U.S. House.
It remains to be determined when the House will consider the PCSA. Representatives are currently on recess until after the midterm elections and are expected to return on November 9th.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) said he anticipates the House will consider the PCSA when the chamber returns to the Capitol.
Part of House deliberations is whether to categorize student-athletes as employees. The Senate-passed PCSA takes a neutral stance on this position. However, House Republican leaders have expressed concern about categorizing student-athletes as employees.
Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI-05) and Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY-02) said if Congress does not address the employee question, it could “inadvertently further destabilize college athletics.”
Furthermore, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA-01) previously said the House will add amendments allowing schools to self-govern.
Congress will have until January 3 to pass the PCSA this congressional session. If Congress fails to do so, it will need to restart discussion of college sports regulations next congressional session.
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Zachery Schmidt is the digital editor of The Star News Network. Email tips to Zachery at [email protected].
