Leave is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by University of Michigan, its athletics department or its conference. Everything here comes from what University of Michigan, its conference, the state of Michigan and the NCAA have published, linked under Sources and read on October 21, 2026. "Not published" means the school has not published it.
The rules at Michigan
| Question | What is published | Source |
|---|---|---|
| School NIL policy | "University of Michigan Name, Image and Likeness Policy", with a revision history from 2021-06-30 (initial release) to 2026-08-31; the athletics NIL page that links it shows a "Last Updated" date of 9/3/2026. It covers definitions (collectives, associated entities, NILGo), disclosure, timing (no NIL activity during organized team activities; designated free time on team travel is allowed), trademarks, facility rental and filming, team-issued gear, reputation categories, professional advisors, collectives and what staff may and may not do | Michigan Athletics, NIL Policy (rev. 2026-08-31); Name, Image and Likeness page |
| How deals are disclosed | NIL Go for third-party deals and compensation of $600 or more in aggregate with the same payor, within five business days of signing or agreeing to payment terms, with the written agreement uploaded and an attestation (NCAA Bylaws 22.2.2 to 22.2.2.3). The policy adds that the University "may also review the disclosed information and notify the student-athlete if the proposed NIL activity impermissibly calls for the use of University facilities, resources, or IP". Michigan law separately has the athlete disclose a proposed NIL contract to the school's designated official at least 7 days before committing (MCL 390.1737(1)) | Michigan NIL Policy (rev. 2026-08-31); NCAA Division I Manual 2026-27; MCL 390.1737 |
| Banned categories | Michigan's statute lists no categories. Michigan's policy says athletes may not use their NIL in a way that may harm the reputation of the University, Michigan Athletics or an exclusive Michigan Athletics sponsor, which "may include but is not limited to" promoting alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes, controlled substances or NCAA-banned supplements; adult entertainment; gambling and sports wagering; illegal, dishonest, deceptive or unethical products or practices; entities that espouse discrimination, hate speech or violence; and any other category the University "in its reasonable discretion" determines will harm its reputation or goodwill | Michigan NIL Policy (rev. 2026-08-31); MCL 390.1740(3) |
| School marks and group licensing | Michigan's IP (the Block M, "Michigan", "Wolverines", facilities, photographs, uniform designs and school colors) may not be used without appropriate licensing approval, and anyone who wants to use the Michigan brand "should work directly through Learfield", Michigan's multimedia rights holder. Co-branded products combining Michigan marks and an athlete's NIL must be made by a licensed vendor and approved by Michigan before production or sale. Images Michigan captures are shared for personal use and may not be used in monetized content | Michigan NIL Policy (rev. 2026-08-31) |
| Revenue sharing | The College Sports Commission puts the 2026-27 cap at approximately $21.58 million per school and lists Michigan as a participating school. Michigan Athletics' revenue sharing page says in its FAQ that "Michigan Athletics plans to pay the full revenue share amount permitted to current student-athletes"; its athletic director put the "anticipated annual payment" at $20.5 million on 2024-10-09 and wrote on 2025-06-09, "We will support our student-athletes with the full amount allowed each year". The 2026 policy says NIL income "may include Michigan Athlete License Agreements also known as Revenue Share Payments", which "will likely be considered taxable Income". Michigan publishes no per-athlete figures | Michigan Athletics, Revenue Sharing page (letters of 2024-10-09 and 2025-06-09); NIL Policy (rev. 2026-08-31); College Sports Commission, Revenue Sharing |
| Collective or NIL group | Michigan Athletics announced on 2023-08-11 that Champions Circle was "the first name, image and likeness (NIL) collective to become an official partner of Michigan Athletics". Its athletic director's letter of 2024-10-09 said collectives "such as Champions Circle will continue to be an important source" of athletes' NIL opportunities, and the 2026 policy links to it. Champions Circle's own site (checked 2026-10-21) says net proceeds from memberships "directly support NIL initiatives for Michigan student-athletes". The policy defines collectives as organizations "independently owned and operated outside of the University of Michigan and Michigan Athletics", and says a collective that is not a Learfield sponsor or Michigan licensee may not use University IP or receive institutional assets | Michigan Athletics, Champions Circle announcement (2023-08-11); Revenue Sharing page; NIL Policy (rev. 2026-08-31); Champions Circle |
| Agents and representation | Michigan's policy lets athletes hire marketing agents, tax and legal advisors for NIL at the same fees others pay, says hiring an agent to negotiate with professional teams would jeopardize eligibility, and requires the University's representative authorization form(s) in Teamworks before Michigan staff discuss an athlete's deals with an advisor. Michigan's statute says NIL representation is provided by persons "licensed in this state, as applicable" (MCL 390.1735(3)); no Michigan athlete-agent registration statute was found | Michigan NIL Policy (rev. 2026-08-31); MCL 390.1735 |
| Compliance contact | University of Michigan Compliance Services Office, (734) 615-7341; the NIL page lists the Assistant Athletic Director for NIL as the NIL contact | Michigan Athletics, Compliance Services; Name, Image and Likeness page |
| State law | Michigan's college NIL law, 2020 PA 366 (MCL 390.1731 to 390.1741), is in force and unamended. Athletes disclose a deal to the school 7 days before committing, and schools may not pay prospective athletes for NIL | /nil/college/michigan |
What is specific to Michigan
Michigan's NIL policy uses licensing language for revenue sharing: the 2026-08-31 revision refers to the payments as "Michigan Athlete License Agreements" and defines "Licensor" as "Michigan, when granting the use of its IP and student-athlete NIL rights". The same policy spells out, in two lists, what Michigan coaches and staff may do for current athletes (introduce them to collectives, communicate with third parties about deals, negotiate deals as long as the athlete has the final decision) and may not do (donate personal funds to collectives, serve as a collective's consultant, advisor or board member, arrange contact between collectives and recruits). It also says Michigan will not buy products or services from an athlete unless through a competitive bidding process overseen by the university procurement office.
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 Michigan
Does Michigan pay its athletes?
Yes. Michigan's athletic director wrote on 2025-06-09 that Michigan "will support our student-athletes with the full amount allowed each year", and its NIL policy (revised 2026-08-31) says NIL income may include "Michigan Athlete License Agreements also known as Revenue Share Payments". The College Sports Commission lists Michigan as a participating school for 2026-27, when the cap is approximately $21.58 million per school. Michigan publishes no per-athlete amounts.
What NIL collective works with Michigan?
Michigan Athletics announced on 2023-08-11 that Champions Circle was the first NIL collective to become an official partner of Michigan Athletics, and its athletic director wrote on 2024-10-09 that collectives such as Champions Circle will continue to be an important source of athletes' NIL opportunities. Under Michigan's 2026 policy, a collective is a booster for NCAA purposes, Michigan staff may introduce current athletes to it but may not arrange meetings with recruits, and staff may not donate personal funds to it.
How do Michigan athletes report NIL deals?
Michigan's policy sends third-party deals of $600 or more (adding up all deals with the same payor) to NIL Go within five business days, with the written agreement uploaded. Michigan's state law also has the athlete disclose a proposed deal to the school's designated official at least 7 days before committing to it (MCL 390.1737(1)); the policy's disclosure section does not mention that step.
Can Michigan athletes use the Block M in NIL deals?
Not without licensing approval. The policy treats the Block M, "Michigan", "Wolverines", facilities, photographs, uniform designs and school colors as Michigan's IP, and says anyone who wants to use the Michigan brand should work through Learfield. Co-branded products need a licensed vendor and Michigan's approval before production or sale.
Can a Michigan coach help with NIL deals?
For current athletes, Michigan's policy says coaches and staff may introduce them to collectives, communicate with third parties about deals and negotiate deals, as long as the athlete has the final decision. They may not hire or pay athletes for NIL work for a business the staff member owns, donate personal funds to collectives, advise a collective or arrange meetings between collectives and recruits.
Be your own agent. Leave.
