Leave is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Eastern Michigan University, its athletics department or its conference. Everything here comes from what Eastern Michigan University, its conference, the state of Michigan and the NCAA have published, linked under Sources and read on October 23, 2026. "Not published" means the school has not published it.
The rules at Eastern Michigan
| Question | What is published | Source |
|---|---|---|
| School NIL policy | The "Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)" section of EMU's 2024-25 Student-Athlete Handbook (posted 2025-03-14). It lets athletes earn NIL pay that is not for athletic performance, not an inducement to attend, and not provided by EMU, an entity supporting EMU or its athletics program, or an EMU officer, director, employee or agent. It says "The complete NIL policy is provided to all student-athletes at the beginning of the year in the ARMS forms"; that policy is not published | EMU Athletics, Student-Athlete Handbook 2024-25 |
| How deals are disclosed | Handbook: "Per Michigan state law, ALL EMU student-athletes are required to submit their NIL agreements at least seven (7) days prior to the commencement of the NIL contract", through "My Transactions" in Teamworks Influencer. NCAA: third-party deals of $600 or more go to NIL Go within five business days (Bylaws 22.2.2, 22.2.2.2). Michigan law sets disclosure "at least 7 days prior to committing to the opportunity or contract" (MCL 390.1737(1)) | EMU Athletics, Student-Athlete Handbook 2024-25; NCAA Division I Manual 2026-27; /nil/college/michigan |
| Banned categories | Not published. EMU's public handbook lists no NIL product categories; it says NIL activity may not conflict or interfere with athletic or academic responsibilities. Michigan's statute lists no categories | EMU Athletics, Student-Athlete Handbook 2024-25; /nil/college/michigan |
| School marks and group licensing | Not published for NIL. The handbook's social media guidelines say postings "should not include EMU logos, unless permission is asked for and granted." EMU's NIL Store with Campus Ink (2024) sells merchandise "officially licensed by EMU" with athletes' names and numbers. Group licensing: Not published | EMU Athletics, Student-Athlete Handbook 2024-25; NIL Store launch (2024-08-13) |
| Revenue sharing | The College Sports Commission puts the 2026-27 cap at approximately $21.58 million per school and lists Eastern Michigan University as participating in 2026-27 (read 2026-10-23). Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Wetherbee wrote on 2025-06-17 that the House settlement "is poised to introduce direct revenue sharing with student-athletes in the 2025-26 academic year" and asked supporters to "Invest in NIL opportunities". No total or division is published | College Sports Commission; EMU Athletics, message from the Director of Athletics (2025-06-17) |
| Collective or NIL group | Not published. No collective is named on EMU's athletics site. EMU runs the Eastern NIL Exchange with Teamworks Influencer (2024-04-24), a free platform where businesses that follow EMU's NIL guidelines can message athletes, and the EMU NIL Store (2024-08-13) | EMU Athletics, Eastern NIL Exchange (2024-04-24) and NIL Store launch (2024-08-13) |
| Agents and representation | Not published for NIL. The handbook lists, among NCAA grounds for reducing or canceling an athletic scholarship, an athlete who "signs a professional sports contract for this sport or agrees to be represented by an agent". Michigan law bars schools and associations from stopping a Michigan-resident athlete from obtaining NIL representation and says it must come from persons "licensed in this state, as applicable" (MCL 390.1735); no Michigan agent registration statute was found | EMU Athletics, Student-Athlete Handbook 2024-25; /nil/college/michigan |
| Compliance contact | EMU Athletics Compliance. Alex Hensley, Associate AD for Compliance, ahensle7@emich.edu, 734.487.1050; Kayla Gribble, Director of Compliance, kgribbl2@emich.edu, 734.487.1439 | EMU Athletics, Staff Directory (read 2026-10-23) |
| State law | In force. Michigan's 2020 PA 366 (MCL 390.1731 to 390.1741), unamended since it took effect on 2022-12-31, sets a 7-day advance disclosure to the school, protects scholarships from NIL earnings and bars NIL pay to prospective athletes by schools | /nil/college/michigan |
What is specific to Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan has framed NIL as a separate lane from the university. Its 2024 Eastern NIL Exchange announcement says the platform creates "appropriate separation between the University and each student-athlete's pursuit of NIL opportunities", and its handbook still excludes NIL pay from EMU itself and from any entity whose purpose includes supporting EMU athletics. At the same time, the athletic director's June 2025 letter told supporters that revenue sharing was coming and called the moment "a time marked by seismic shift, unparalleled opportunity, and daunting challenges." EMU's brand education started early: in 2021 it was the fourth MAC school to give athletes The DARLOW Rules by Opendorse, a video course that ends with a personal brand marketing plan.
How Leave fits
In Leave, every deal thread carries a rules summary for the athlete's state and level, and keeps the contract, its dates and the disclosure deadline that applies. It is a summary, not a ruling; the school and the law decide. Leave is software, not an agent, and takes 0% of any deal. You decide, you send.
Questions about NIL at Eastern Michigan
Does Eastern Michigan pay its athletes?
The College Sports Commission lists EMU as participating in revenue sharing for 2026-27, with a cap of approximately $21.58 million per school, and EMU's athletic director wrote in June 2025 that the House settlement would bring direct revenue sharing. EMU has not published amounts, and its newest posted handbook (2024-25) still says NIL pay may not come from EMU.
How do EMU Eagles athletes report NIL deals?
The 2024-25 handbook says to submit every NIL agreement through "My Transactions" in Teamworks Influencer at least seven days before the contract begins. Michigan law counts the seven days before the athlete commits, and the NCAA sends third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go within five business days.
Is there an NIL collective for Eastern Michigan?
EMU does not name one on its athletics site. It points businesses to the Eastern NIL Exchange, a free Teamworks Influencer platform, and fans to the EMU NIL Store, which sells licensed gear with athletes' names.
Where is Eastern Michigan's full NIL policy?
The handbook says the complete NIL policy is given to athletes each year in their ARMS forms. It is not posted publicly; the compliance office is the contact for questions.
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