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ARTICLE · 05 JULY 2024

Unintended Immigration Issues For International Student-Athletes Ability To Monetize Their NIL Rights

Duane Morris LLP
Duane Morris LLP
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Name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals have unquestionably altered the landscape of collegiate sports and sparked a billion dollar market for student-athletes.

United StatesImmigration
Bryan Shapiro
Bryan Shapiro
Andrew John (AJ) Rudowitz
Andrew John (AJ) Rudowitz
Sean P. McConnell
Sean P. McConnell
Leigh Skipper
Leigh Skipper
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Name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals have unquestionably altered the landscape of collegiate sports and sparked a billion dollar market for student-athletes. This opportunity, however, does not extend equally to all student-athletes. Indeed, international student-athletes are essentially "sidelined" when it comes to many lucrative NIL deals as a result of the restrictions on their ability to earn money in the United Stated under F-1 visas.

Because F-1 visas generally limit international student employment to under twenty hours per week during academic semesters in areas related to the student's field of study, International student-athletes have had to find creative ways to seize NIL opportunities. For example, former University of Connecticut (UConn) center Adama Sanogo and former Purdue men's basketball star center Zach Edey traveled outside of the United States to earn money from NIL deals. Sanogo, a Mali native, filmed an advertisement for Sunoco in the

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Disclaimer: This Alert has been prepared and published for informational purposes only and is not offered, nor should be construed, as legal advice. For more information, please see the firm's full disclaimer.

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