Division I-Bound Golfers Must Now Disclose All NIL Deals Over $600

by Golf NIL Staff

November 4, 2025

The NCAA and College Sports Commission have officially set new ground rules: high school and junior college golfers, as well as athletes in other sports who hope to play Division I, must now disclose any NIL deals worth at least $600 before enrolling.

High school golfers must report all NIL deals over $600 starting from July 1 or the first day of junior year. Junior college players face a similar timeline, tied to July 1 or the start of their enrollment at a two-year college—whichever comes later applies.

Incoming students have a two-week window from enrollment to submit all deals through NIL Go, the clearinghouse managed by Deloitte and the College Sports Commission. These policies apply only to recruits bound for Division I programs; Division II and III golfers are not covered.

Sohan Patel, Vanderbilt commit and Golf NIL High School Boys No. 23, at the 2025 U.S. Junior Amateur | Dustin Satloff/USGA

The policy also applies retroactively, requiring recruits to disclose any NIL deals signed since the start of their junior year. This could mean additional paperwork for golfers with existing contracts or endorsements covering the past two seasons.

Talented high schoolers who've signed equipment deals with major brands—think Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade—or entered into other NIL agreements, such as partnerships with apparel companies, agency representation, or tech product endorsements, may now face complex reporting requirements. Missing even one contract could cost a player their eligibility. The College Sports Commission has confirmed it will primarily enforce violations by revoking eligibility.

Supporters argue that stronger oversight protects young golfers from bad actors and inflated promises. By reviewing contracts before freshmen arrive, the commission says it can flag deals where boosters make promises that never pan out, and identify agents or sponsors who may not have players' best interests in mind.

The intent is to make the recruiting process less risky and more transparent for newcomers, especially those facing the pressure of college choices.

Not everyone sees it that way. Some attorneys warn that this forces compliance onto high schoolers before they even reach campus—and point out these students weren't parties to the legal settlements driving these changes.

Critics suggest that the regulations stretch NCAA jurisdiction and create a complex burden for teenagers still learning the NIL landscape. There's also concern that it might discourage legitimate early sponsorships, chilling opportunities for young golfers in states where NIL deals are legal.