Division III Management Council recommends NIL review

This week, the Division III Management Council recommended the Presidents Council approve a framework to review name, image and likeness activities in the division. 

The move follows a resolution adopted at the 2026 NCAA Convention charging the governance structure with monitoring and, if needed, recommending policy or legislative changes to address NIL in Division III.

The goals of the proposed review are as follows:

• Develop a clearer understanding of the current NIL climate as it affects Division III, including:
  • The legal landscape, with attention to the status and implications of state laws.
  • The landscape in Divisions I and II.
  • The types of opportunities currently being experienced by Division III student-athletes.
  • The role, scope and influence of collectives and third-party support entities.
  • Institutional approaches to NIL education, support and oversight.
  • Prospective student-athlete expectations and experiences.
• Identify practical and philosophical concerns arising from the current NIL environment, particularly where those concerns intersect with Division III values and operating principles.
• Assess whether additional resources (e.g., educational, best practices) could assist the membership in navigating NIL-related issues.
• Determine whether clarification of existing NCAA legislation or the development of new legislative proposals should be considered.

If approved by the Presidents Council, a dedicated working group will be established to conduct the review. The working group will include individuals with experience and expertise in NIL activities.

At its virtual meeting, the Management Council also covered several other topics.

Division III analysis

The Management Council received an update on the Division III analysis. A focused analysis of key issues was initiated by the Division III Presidents Council at the 2026 Convention. 

The council established a 19-member working group that is representative of the division and charged with analyzing tension points identified by the membership at the Convention to ensure Division III continues to operate efficiently and effectively to meet the evolving needs of student-athletes and member schools and conferences. 

The council received an update from the working group's first meeting. The council also engaged in a closed session with the consultants retained by the Presidents Council to support the working group. One objective is to create initial recommendations for the membership to consider at the 2027 Convention.

Pilot eligibility waiver

The Management Council approved a recommendation to continue the pilot eligibility waiver. The pilot created by the Division III governance structure began in August 2025 to permit Division III student-athletes to continue participating with their school while enrolled in another school, under specific conditions. The Management and Presidents Councils will be apprised annually of the outcomes from the pilot to ensure it achieves its desired intent of benefiting student-athletes.

Division III championship ticket prices 

The council received an update and provided feedback on proposed changes to Division III championships ticket prices for preliminary rounds in select team sports. The Division III Championships Committee indicated, and the council concurred, that there is support for a model that would standardize ticket prices. The Championships Committee will review the council's feedback and look to act at an early summer meeting to implement changes for 2026-27.