Leave is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Michigan State University, its athletics department or its conference. Everything here comes from what Michigan State University, 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 State
| Question | What is published | Source |
|---|---|---|
| School NIL policy | "Michigan State University: Name, Image and Likeness Activities Policy", issued by the Office of Compliance Services, "Last Update: 7/11/22". It covers institutional disclosure, conflicts with sponsorship agreements and team contracts, NIL during required activities, use of marks and facilities, prohibited activities, agents and institutional involvement. The page also links the NCAA Interim NIL Policy (as of 2021-07-01), NCAA guidance of 2022-05-09 and Michigan's 2020 PA 366 (House Bill 5217) | Michigan State Athletics, NIL Activities Policy page and PDF (2022-07-11) |
| How deals are disclosed | NIL Go for third-party deals of $600 or more within five business days (NCAA Bylaws 22.2.2, 22.2.2.2). Michigan State's policy says athletes "are required to disclose contact information for all parties involved", any professional service providers, compensation arrangements and relationship details, and "must disclose the proposed name, image, and likeness activities to the institution at least seven (7) days prior to committing to said activities"; amended arrangements are noticed "within 14 days of the change". Michigan law sets the same 7-day advance disclosure (MCL 390.1737(1)). The policy does not mention NIL Go | Michigan State NIL Activities Policy (2022-07-11); NCAA Division I Manual 2026-27; /nil/college/michigan |
| Banned categories | Michigan State's policy bars NIL activities "involving any substance or drug class located on the NCAA's list of banned substances" and any use of conference or NCAA marks. It lists no other industries. Michigan's statute lists no categories | Michigan State NIL Activities Policy (2022-07-11); /nil/college/michigan |
| School marks and group licensing | The policy says athletes "will not be permitted to use colors, logos, or images, including institutional marks" that identify the University in commercial NIL activities unless the policy says otherwise, and may reference their attendance and participation only in biographical information. Athletes may work with University licensees "who have obtained an NIL co-branded license", and "may engage with The Brandr Group to facilitate group licensing agreements". University facilities may not be used for NIL except lessons or camps at public rental rates | Michigan State NIL Activities Policy (2022-07-11) |
| Revenue sharing | The College Sports Commission puts the 2026-27 cap at approximately $21.58 million per school and lists Michigan State as a participating school. Director of Athletics J Batt wrote on 2025-06-07 that the settlement lets departments "directly share revenue (approximately $20.5 million) with student-athletes beginning July 1, 2025" and that "Michigan State is committed to distributing the full amount permitted to student-athletes". Michigan State publishes no per-sport or per-athlete figure | Michigan State Athletics, House Settlement Update (2025-06-07); College Sports Commission |
| Collective or NIL group | Michigan State's 2024-05-01 release named Spartan Nation NIL "the official collective of Michigan State Athletics", with an Assistant AD/General Manager of NIL as liaison. Michigan State has published nothing newer on Spartan Nation NIL, and on 2026-10-21 its web address did not load a site. Michigan State's own NIL program has been called EverGreen since 2021; on 2025-10-01 it announced a partnership with Student Athlete Score for NIL analytics. Since 2026-07-01, Spartan Ventures, which Michigan State says will focus on "supporting NIL opportunities for student-athletes", runs the department's commercial operations | Michigan State Athletics releases (2024-05-01, 2025-10-01, 2026-01-16, 2026-07-01); NIL Activities Policy page |
| Agents and representation | The policy says athletes "may enter into agreements with professional service providers, including agents"; agent agreements "must be for name, image, and likeness activities only", must state the scope of representation and compensation at an established rate, and "must be filed with the Office of Compliance Services". State law: Michigan bars schools and associations from stopping a Michigan-resident athlete from obtaining NIL representation and says representation "must be provided by persons licensed in this state, as applicable"; no Michigan athlete-agent licensing statute was found (MCL 390.1735) | Michigan State NIL Activities Policy (2022-07-11); /nil/college/michigan |
| Compliance contact | Michigan State University Office of Compliance Services, 1855 Place, 550 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823; phone 517-432-5510 (compliance page). Concerns can also be reported through MSU's misconduct hotline at misconduct.msu.edu | Michigan State Athletics, Office of Compliance Services |
| State law | Michigan's college NIL law, 2020 PA 366 (MCL 390.1731 to 390.1741), has been in force since 2022-12-31 and is unamended: it bars the NCAA and schools from benching athletes over NIL pay or representation, has athletes disclose a deal 7 days before committing, and bars schools paying recruits for NIL | /nil/college/michigan |
What is specific to Michigan State
Michigan State moved its athletic department's commercial operations into an affiliated corporation. In October 2025 MSU's Board of Trustees authorized an Affiliation Agreement with Spartan Ventures, which launched on 2026-07-01 as "a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation which aligns the commercial operations of Michigan State Athletics", with a for-profit Spartan Media Ventures "to facilitate capital investment" and a Spartan Athletic Foundation taking over Spartan Fund operations. Its seven-member board reserves seats for the MSU Board of Trustees Chair, the MSU President and the Director of Athletics. The launch letter says the department "will be able to dramatically increase its commitment to student-athlete commercial opportunities", while "student-athletes, coaches, compliance" and support areas stay under Michigan State Athletics within the University. Jon Palumbo, who signed the launch letter as Spartan Ventures' CEO, was named interim athletic director on 2026-07-10. Dan Bartholomae, named director of athletics on 2026-08-17, wrote in a letter of 2026-10-07: "The two most pressing areas that need more explanation are Spartan Ventures and FOR SPARTA. While both initiatives serve to benefit Spartan Athletics, there's a great opportunity for more transparency, direction and clarity." The posted NIL policy is dated 2022-07-11.
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 State
Does Michigan State pay its athletes?
Yes, through House settlement revenue sharing. Michigan State's athletic director wrote on 2025-06-07 that "Michigan State is committed to distributing the full amount permitted to student-athletes", then approximately $20.5 million, and the College Sports Commission lists Michigan State as a participating school for 2026-27, when the cap is approximately $21.58 million per school. Michigan State publishes no per-athlete amounts.
How do Michigan State athletes report NIL deals?
Michigan State's NIL policy (last updated 2022-07-11) says athletes disclose a proposed NIL activity to the University at least seven days before committing to it, and give notice within 14 days of any change; Michigan law sets the same 7-day rule (MCL 390.1737(1)). Third-party deals of $600 or more also go to NIL Go within five business days (NCAA Bylaws 22.2.2, 22.2.2.2).
What NIL collective works with Michigan State?
Michigan State named Spartan Nation NIL its official collective in a 2024-05-01 release. It has published nothing newer about Spartan Nation NIL, whose web address did not load on 2026-10-21. Since 2026-07-01, Spartan Ventures, a non-profit corporation affiliated with Michigan State, runs the department's commercial operations and says it will support NIL opportunities for athletes.
What is Spartan Ventures?
Spartan Ventures is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation that has run Michigan State Athletics' commercial operations since 2026-07-01, alongside a for-profit Spartan Media Ventures and the Spartan Athletic Foundation, which took over Spartan Fund fundraising. Michigan State says compliance, coaches, athletes and support services stay with the University, and that Spartan Ventures will increase its commitment to athletes' commercial opportunities.
Can Michigan State athletes use Spartan logos in NIL deals?
Michigan State's NIL policy says athletes may not use University colors, logos or marks in commercial NIL activities unless the policy allows it, but may work with University licensees holding an NIL co-branded license and may use The Brandr Group for group licensing. An athlete may mention attending Michigan State and playing a sport in biographical information.
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