AROUND NIL | Nebraska latest test case for NIL watchdog, more schools likely
- Golf NIL
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 11 hours ago
Feb. 9, 2026—Nebraska just became the second program publicly tied to College Sports Commission investigations into unreported NIL deals, Front Office Sports reported Sunday. The case followed Louisiana State University’s, with both schools contacted in mid-January after athletes failed to report third-party deals over $600 to the NIL Go clearinghouse within the required five-day window.
These early cases are the CSC’s first real test of its enforcement power under the House settlement. LSU’s case was resolved in about two weeks with no penalties once the paperwork was submitted, setting an early pattern: missed reporting can trigger an investigation, but fixing it quickly can avoid sanctions.
The larger issue is the compliance burden now placed on athletes. Every deal over $600 must be submitted to NIL Go for a business-justification review on a tight deadline. The CSC has already rejected nearly $15 million in deals it deemed improper, showing the process is substantive, not a rubber stamp.
The CSC has contacted several schools beyond LSU and Nebraska, indicating more investigations ahead.
Memorial Stadium, home of Nebraska football, amid early NIL enforcement cases | Forge Productions
Feb. 9, 2026—Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar was granted a temporary restraining order this week in his lawsuit against the NCAA, potentially clearing the way for a 2026 return — and nearly $2 million in NIL earnings.
Aguilar is challenging an NCAA rule that counts junior college seasons toward Division I eligibility, arguing that the cap illegally limits his ability to make money from his NIL. The 24-year-old started his career in 2019 and has already played for three schools, including two seasons at Diablo Valley Community College. Under the current rule, his eligibility ended after leading Tennessee to an 8–5 season last year.
His case trails the path blazed by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who successfully challenged the same rule. Pavia secured a preliminary injunction, played the 2025 season, and finished second in Heisman voting. The NCAA granted a blanket waiver for similar cases, but is still appealing Pavia’s ruling.
