NIL FAQs

  • NIL stands for “Name, Image and Likeness” and describes legislative initiatives that took place in July, 2021, that permit college student-athletes to earn NIL opportunities outside of their athletic scholarships. College student-athletes can now sign endorsement deals with third-party companies and collectives to engage in promotional activities on behalf of these outside groups, sign autographs, or commit to a public appearance for a fee. 

  • An NIL Collective is an organization separate from the university that exists to support student athletes (in this case, the future gymnastics team). An NIL Collective can raise money from individuals and businesses, facilitate payments to student-athletes, as well as help connect student-athletes to businesses. Any individual or business can donate to an NIL Collective, provided they are not employed by the University.

  • NCAA rules and laws are regarding NIL are evolving. Currently the following rules apply to institutions and athletes: 

    1. No pay for play. A student-athlete may not receive money simply for participating in their sport. They cannot receive incentives based on their athletic performance (i.e. payments for soccer goals scored)

    2. Quid pro quo. A student-athlete must complete some type of NIL task in order to receive compensation in a variety of ways including endorsements, autographs, public appearances, etc. A student-athlete jeopardizes their eligibility by accepting extra unearned benefits.

    3. No inducement during the recruiting process. A student athlete cannot be promised NIL money or contracts as part of recruiting. Institutions are able to provide information regarding current student-athlete deals, as well as the NIL efforts of the institution and Collective, but may not promise NIL compensation.

  • At Texas State University, NIL deals that involve pay-for-performance, endorse prohibited products, or are conducted during official team activities are not allowed. Additionally, prospective student-athletes cannot receive NIL compensation before enrollment, and all deals must be disclosed to the university's athletics department. 

    Prohibited products include products or services related to: alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes, anabolic steroids, sports betting, casino gambling, firearms they cannot legally purchase, or sexually oriented businesses.

    Athletes cannot wear TXST logos or uniforms during NIL activities unless authorized by the University.

 texas gold FAQs

  • Our first goal is to connect with the Texas Gymnastics Community! We want everyone to be onboard with supporting our state’s only D1 team. Texas Gold has ambitious goals and we need everyone’s help in order to achieve them.

  • The Texas Gold NIL Collective long term goal is to provide the top NIL financial packages out of any D1 school in the nation. This will ensure that:

    1. Texas State University women’s gymnastics program will be able to attract and retain top Texas talent.

    2. Texas State University women’s gymnastics program will be achieve greater visibility and national recognition.

    3. The student-athletes in the women’s gymnastics program will know that they are supported by the entire Texas gymnastics community.

  • The most important thing you can do is sign up for email updates. Whether it’s to provide you with news and updates from the team or it’s looking for volunteers to help out at a Texas Gold NIL event, signing up will provide us with a way to give you all the inside info you need to get a perfect 10.0 as a Bobcat gymnastics supporter!

  • While this initiative is currently being spearheaded by a small group of dedicated individuals, we know that the long term success of the collective will be determined by the strength of its leadership. If you are interested in serving, we are looking for accomplished and dedicated individuals to help us stick the landing.