Leave is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mercer University, its athletics department or its conference. Everything here comes from what Mercer University, its conference, the state of Georgia and the NCAA have published, linked under Sources and read on October 24, 2026. "Not published" means the school has not published it.
The rules at Mercer
| Question | What is published | Source |
|---|---|---|
| School NIL policy | "Mercer University Name, Image and Likeness Policy" (posted as Mercer_NIL_Policy_2021_22), linked from the compliance page. It says NIL pay "must be within fair market value", not "in exchange for athletic performance or attendance at Mercer University", that "Mercer University, the athletic department, staff members or boosters may not compensate or arrange compensation" for NIL, and that NIL pay may not be used to reduce or cancel an athletic scholarship. The agreement process is repeated in the 2025-26 Student-Athlete Handbook (revised August 2025). No university-level NIL policy was found | Mercer Athletics, NIL Policy 2021-22; Student-Athlete Handbook 2025-26 |
| How deals are disclosed | NCAA: third-party deals of $600 or more go to NIL Go within five business days (Bylaws 22.2.2, 22.2.2.2). Mercer: an athlete completes a Mercer NIL approval form through ARMS and submits it "along with the endorsement contract to the Compliance Office prior to signing any name, image and likeness agreement"; Compliance "has four (4) business days to review"; once approved, the athlete "can execute the endorsement contract". The 2021-22 policy also says athletes "must disclose within four (4) days any name, image and likeness agreement", calling that "not an approval process but a component of Georgia law". Georgia has no disclosure statute since 2025-07-01 | Mercer Student-Athlete Handbook 2025-26; Mercer NIL Policy 2021-22; NCAA 2026-27 Division I Manual; /nil/college/georgia |
| Banned categories | Georgia has no statutory list (its repealed law had none). Mercer's policy bars NIL agreements "with gambling/sports wagering vendors or any vendors associated with athletic performance enhancing drugs" and any agreement that "conflicts with an existing Mercer University agreement", in which case Mercer "must disclose the relevant terms" | Mercer NIL Policy 2021-22; /nil/college/georgia |
| School marks and group licensing | Athletes may not use Mercer or athletic marks and logos, "including all aspects of the uniform", or Mercer facilities, "absent prior written approval from the General Counsel's Office of the University", and may not sell clothing, shoes or equipment received as athletes until eligibility is exhausted; team uniforms "are the sole property of Mercer University". Mercer's 2025-04-10 release announced a Mercer NIL Store with Campus Ink whose merchandise "is officially licensed by Mercer University". A group licensing program: Not published | Mercer NIL Policy 2021-22; Mercer Athletics, NIL Store release (2025-04-10) |
| Revenue sharing | The College Sports Commission puts the 2026-27 cap at approximately $21.58 million per school and lists Mercer University for 2026-27. Mercer's 2025-02-28 statement: "Mercer Athletics has decided to opt-in to the House settlement", which then-Athletics Director Jim Cole said "positions Mercer Athletics to remain competitive at the highest level". Mercer has not published a 2026-27 total or its division by sport | Mercer Athletics, Statement Regarding NCAA House Settlement (2025-02-28); College Sports Commission |
| Collective or NIL group | Not published. No collective is named on Mercer's athletics site. Mercer's 2021 booster guide said coaches, staff and "entities whose purpose includes supporting or benefiting Mercer Athletics, e.g., members of the Board, Mercer University Athletic Foundation, and closely aligned outside booster clubs" may not arrange, facilitate or promote athletes' NIL activities | Mercer Athletics, NIL Boosters and Fans Education (2021) |
| Agents and representation | The policy allows representation "ONLY for name, image and likeness and NOT for future professional athletic contract negotiations"; an athlete agent "must be licensed in the State of Georgia", and an attorney "must be a member in good standing with The State Bar of Georgia". The booster guide says agents and advisors register with the Mercer Athletic Compliance Office. Georgia's repealed NIL law no longer sets agent rules; whether Georgia's athlete agent chapter reaches NIL-only work is not confirmed | Mercer NIL Policy 2021-22; Mercer NIL Boosters and Fans Education; /nil/college/georgia |
| Compliance contact | Mercer Athletics Compliance Office. John Peach, Associate AD for Compliance, (478) 301-4135, peach_jw@mercer.edu | Mercer Athletics, Compliance page and Staff Directory (read 2026-10-24) |
| State law | Repealed. Georgia has had no college NIL statute since SB 153 repealed O.C.G.A. 20-3-680 to 20-3-683 effective 2025-07-01; the repealed article covered eligible private colleges, and whether the Governor's 2024 executive order on NIL pay, which speaks of any postsecondary institution in Georgia, is still in effect could not be confirmed | /nil/college/georgia |
What is specific to Mercer
Mercer runs NIL approval through two offices. Compliance reviews each proposed deal and the contract before the athlete signs, with four business days to look for conflicts with Mercer contracts or policies, while any use of Mercer marks, uniforms or facilities needs prior written approval from the university's General Counsel's Office. Its posted policy still carries the rules Georgia's 2021 statute imposed before the legislature repealed it: Mercer says it provides five hours of financial literacy training that athletes complete in their first and third academic years "as required by Georgia law", alongside brand-building workshops. Mercer opted into the House settlement on 2025-02-28, before the court's final approval, and in April 2025 added a Campus Ink NIL Store with university-licensed merchandise. Mercer announced on 2026-07-29 that Jim Cole was stepping down and that Brian Gerrity, who first joined Mercer as executive director of the Mercer Athletic Foundation, had been promoted to Athletics Director.
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 Mercer
Does Mercer pay its athletes?
Mercer announced on 2025-02-28 that it would opt into the House settlement, and the College Sports Commission lists it for 2026-27 revenue sharing, with a cap of approximately $21.58 million per school. Mercer has not published how much it shares or how it divides the money.
How do Mercer athletes report NIL deals?
Mercer's 2025-26 handbook has athletes submit an NIL approval form in ARMS with the contract before signing; Compliance has four business days to review, and the athlete signs once it is approved. Third-party deals of $600 or more also go to NIL Go within five business days under NCAA Bylaws 22.2.2 and 22.2.2.2.
Does Georgia have an NIL law that covers Mercer?
Not since 2025-07-01, when SB 153 repealed Georgia's college NIL statute, which had covered eligible private colleges. A 2024 executive order on NIL pay speaks of any postsecondary institution in Georgia, but whether it is still in effect could not be confirmed. Mercer's posted policy still refers to Georgia law.
Can Mercer athletes use Mercer logos in NIL deals?
Only with prior written approval from Mercer's General Counsel's Office, which the policy also requires for any part of the uniform and for Mercer facilities. Merchandise in the Mercer NIL Store is licensed by the university.
What NIL collective works with Mercer?
Mercer has not named one on its athletics site. Its 2021 booster guide said the Mercer University Athletic Foundation and closely aligned booster clubs may not arrange or promote athletes' NIL activities.
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