The landscape of college athletics has drastically shifted with the advent of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Athletes across the United States are signing endorsement contracts, launching merchandise lines, and making money from their social media platforms like never before. Yet, not every college athlete can take advantage of this newfound wealth.
The biggest hurdle for some athletes? Their visa status. International student-athletes, who make up a sizable portion of NCAA teams, are caught in a legal quagmire that prevents them from profiting from NIL opportunities. Most international athletes are in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa, which prohibits them from earning income in the country—this includes NIL deals, endorsement contracts, social media monetization, and even part-time jobs.
For these athletes, the rules are clear: While they can receive athletic scholarships, any direct earnings from NIL activities are off-limits. This creates a serious disadvantage compared to their American peers, who can cash in on their social media followings, sponsorships, and product endorsements.
For Kentucky basketball, this presents an issue. Head coach Mark Pope has a history of recruiting skilled international big men, but if those athletes cannot profit from NIL, they may opt to stay overseas or pursue options in the G-League or NBA, where they can earn immediately. This restricts the talent pool for teams that rely on international recruits.
While there is a workaround—international athletes could sign NIL deals from their home countries—this option is complicated and costly, requiring athletes to travel abroad to sign contracts and create content.
Eventually, international athletes can earn money once they secure a professional sports visa (P-1) and turn pro, but until then, they remain restricted. As NIL continues to shape college sports, the system will need to adjust to ensure that all athletes, regardless of their nationality, can fully benefit from their talents.
