Student athlete compensation

Student athlete compensation in the United States refers to the evolving legal, economic, and regulatory landscape governing whether and how college and high‑school athletes may receive payment for their participation in sports or for the commercial use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Historically, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) prohibited direct compensation to athletes under the principle of amateurism, limiting benefits to scholarships and modest stipends. This model began to erode as legal challenges, state legislation, and shifting public attitudes questioned the NCAA’s restrictions and highlighted the substantial revenues generated by college sports.