Indiana University Athletics
Compliance Question Of The Week
Compliance Question Of The Week
Question:
Can I promote a product, pass on a few nice words about a H.S. or AAU coach or endorse a recruiting service I subscribe to? Are any of these legit business opportunities for a coach, within the scope of the NCAA rules? Does it matter if I do it for free vs. getting paid?
Answer:
There may be opportunities for all staff members to promote a product, service, event, etc. but some of these are not permissible under NCAA legislation. Specifically, athletic department staff would need to turn down these types of offers:
§ Staff may not endorse, either orally or in writing, any non-IU publication that reports primarily on IU athletics, unless they are writing an educational article related to NCAA rules or crowd control. [Bylaw 11.3.2.4 and 11.3.2.4.1]
§ Staff members may not endorse, consult for or participate on any advisory board for a recruiting or scouting service which works with prospects (9th grade and above - 7th grade for MBK). [11.3.2.5]
§ An IU coach may not promote an non-IU camp or clinic, or allow the use of his/her name, picture or quotation in such a camp's brochure unless that coach is also employed by that specific camp or clinic. Lots of additional rules apply to camp and clinic promotions, so check with the compliance office before agreeing to work an outside camp![11.3.2.6]
§ No athletic department staff member may serve as a consultant or otherwise promote a non-IU event that primarily involves prospects. This prevents us from commenting directly on many of the tournaments we attend or events that use our facilities, and we cannot assist outside groups in working to bring these events to Bloomington.[11.3.2.7, NEW for 2011!]
§ Staff members are prohibited from endorsing or promoting any prospect's coach, team or any facility that is primarily used by prospect-aged individuals. This means we may not have "themed" nights at games targeting specific prospect's club teams or high schools. Similarly, we may not make public comments endorsing a specific coach who works with prospects.[11.3.2.8, NEW for 2011!]
If the type of activity or promotion isn't covered in these above guidelines, it may be okay for department employees to participate in, so please just ask if you're not sure. The attorneys in our office would also be remiss if they didn't mention that your specific employment contract may have additional stipulations regarding your ability to promote outside products and services, but that's for you and HR to decipher.
Question:
Can I promote a product, pass on a few nice words about a H.S. or AAU coach or endorse a recruiting service I subscribe to? Are any of these legit business opportunities for a coach, within the scope of the NCAA rules? Does it matter if I do it for free vs. getting paid?
Answer:
There may be opportunities for all staff members to promote a product, service, event, etc. but some of these are not permissible under NCAA legislation. Specifically, athletic department staff would need to turn down these types of offers:
§ Staff may not endorse, either orally or in writing, any non-IU publication that reports primarily on IU athletics, unless they are writing an educational article related to NCAA rules or crowd control. [Bylaw 11.3.2.4 and 11.3.2.4.1]
§ Staff members may not endorse, consult for or participate on any advisory board for a recruiting or scouting service which works with prospects (9th grade and above - 7th grade for MBK). [11.3.2.5]
§ An IU coach may not promote an non-IU camp or clinic, or allow the use of his/her name, picture or quotation in such a camp's brochure unless that coach is also employed by that specific camp or clinic. Lots of additional rules apply to camp and clinic promotions, so check with the compliance office before agreeing to work an outside camp![11.3.2.6]
§ No athletic department staff member may serve as a consultant or otherwise promote a non-IU event that primarily involves prospects. This prevents us from commenting directly on many of the tournaments we attend or events that use our facilities, and we cannot assist outside groups in working to bring these events to Bloomington.[11.3.2.7, NEW for 2011!]
§ Staff members are prohibited from endorsing or promoting any prospect's coach, team or any facility that is primarily used by prospect-aged individuals. This means we may not have "themed" nights at games targeting specific prospect's club teams or high schools. Similarly, we may not make public comments endorsing a specific coach who works with prospects.[11.3.2.8, NEW for 2011!]
If the type of activity or promotion isn't covered in these above guidelines, it may be okay for department employees to participate in, so please just ask if you're not sure. The attorneys in our office would also be remiss if they didn't mention that your specific employment contract may have additional stipulations regarding your ability to promote outside products and services, but that's for you and HR to decipher.