Frazier: NIL law, end of educational benefit limits ‘a long time coming’

NIU Athletic Director weighs in on new Illinois law allowing student athletes endorsement deals

Whether it was the Supreme Court deciding that the NCAA can’t limit education-related benefits that a student-athlete receives, or Gov. JB Pritzker signing a law which allows them to profit from their name, image and likeness (NIL), Northern Illinois University athletic director Sean Frazier said it is a long time coming.

“I don’t want to beat my chest too much on this, but we are already a leader on diversity, equity and inclusion,” Frazier said. “A lot of student welfare issues is just that. To be able to be the best in the country, in the area, and be recognized in that, this is a great platform because again this is student-athlete well being.”

On Tuesday, Pritzker signed a law that allows athletes to be paid for the use of their name, image and likeness. It would allow them to earn money for appearing at autograph signings or advertising for local businesses, and also allow them to hire an agent.

Last week, the Supreme Court ruled that the NCAA could not limit such benefits as grad school tuition, study abroad opportunities, computers, tutoring or other educational expenses.

“The Supreme Court basically set the tempo, and NIL and other types of things will be the norm in making sure the student-athlete voice and that equity reigns supreme,” Frazier said. “Going back to what we’ve done at NIU, I’ve got to say I’m really proud of equity, inclusion, all those types of things. It’s not an afterthought. It’s not a reactionary tool. It’s something that we do.”

Frazier pointed out that NIU is the only NCAA Division 1 institution with a Black athletic director, football coach and men’s basketball coach. He also pointed out the school has a woman president, making equity and inclusion cornerstones of the university.

And that NILs, education expenses and other such rulings definitely fall into that category.

“When you have that type of equity-minded focus, these things like NIL, or equity, or compliance, are a natural fit for what we do,” Frazier said. “I’m excited about it. It’s great for the state, great for the fact others are catching on, and it’s a long time coming. No question about it.”

While Frazier said he celebrates the recent decisions, he said he’s not in favor of a full-on “pay the players” type model that would jeopardize the current collegiate model.

“I believe in the collegiate model,” Frazier said. “I think the people administering the collegiate model need to have some ability to deal with the current times. I believe in it, and this is the reason why I believe in it - people like myself, people who if it weren’t for a college scholarship, I would not be talking to you right now as director of athletics at NIU.”

Frazier elaborated on his own experience.

“I was given an opportunity based on all the rights and privileges of the great state of Alabama, the University of Alabama system, to earn my undergraduate degree,” he said. “And having the ability to go to college is key. And by way of my athletic talents, my fortitude to get through academically, I came through with a degree to help me.”

He said whatever the future of athlete compensation looks like, it “pays tribute” to the current collegiate model, coming down to a matter of equity and access.

“A lot of people could not afford an education if it were not for an athletic scholarship.” Frazier said. “Although it did not cover all of it, it gave me an opportunity for access, which gave me an opportunity to better myself. The model needs to be updated, and that’s what we’re doing now with NIL. That’s what we’re doing now with all the other things, cost of attendance and a lot of other things we’re trying to modernize. But I don’t think we throw out the collegiate model. And the amateur status, that’s part of the collegiate model. I believe in that, we just have to modernize to make sure we don’t lose sight of equity.”

To help the athletes, NIU has partnered with a company to provide an NIL platform that will help students make sure they are staying compliant with any current and future rules while at the same time let the school monitor deals as well.

Frazier said he’s not sure what immediate impact the NIL law will have on current Huskies.

“I think there’s a certain amount of entrepreneurial students who ... now they’ll have the ability to look at certain deals, certain arrangements, certain ways to monetize that based on the rule,” Frazier said. “I don’t see it being a complete rush to the door, mainly because we’re getting ready to go into the July 4th weekend. But even after that. We know it’s going to change, and we need to make sure we’re keeping up with the proverbial Joneses.”

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