Leave is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Western Michigan University, its athletics department or its conference. Everything here comes from what Western 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 Western Michigan
| Question | What is published | Source |
|---|---|---|
| School NIL policy | "Athletics Name, Image, Likeness Policy", linked as "NIL Policy" from the compliance page and the ONWARD NIL program page (file posted 2022-08-29). As posted, the file is on WMU's policy template with "Policy No: XX-xx", "Summary of Contents/Major Changes: New Policy", unchecked classification boxes, a blank history section (no effective or adoption date) and unsigned certification lines; WMU has published no adoption date for it. The file says it "will ultimately be guided by Michigan State law", bars pay from WMU for NIL "except as may be permitted by the NCAA", bars NIL content created during official team activities, and bars using WMU marks or institutional content without a license or written permission | WMU Athletics, NIL Policy (2022); ONWARD NIL Program page; Compliance page |
| 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). The posted policy file says: "At least seven days prior to entering into a verbal or written NIL opportunity or agreement, a Student-Athlete must disclose the NIL Contract to WMU through the INFLCR disclosure platform", with approvals and denials communicated there. If the compliance office finds a conflict with a WMU agreement, team rules or policy, it tells the athlete or the athlete's agent so the deal can be renegotiated, and the revised agreement goes back for review. Michigan law has the athlete disclose a deal at least 7 days before committing to it (MCL 390.1737(1)) | WMU Athletics, NIL Policy (2022), 4.4; NCAA 2026-27 Division I Manual; MCL 390.1737 |
| Banned categories | The posted policy file lists no product categories. It bars NIL contracts whose purpose is "to endorse or promote engaging in illegal activities or use of illegal drugs", NIL activity that conflicts with federal, state or local law or the Student Code of Conduct, and deals that conflict with team rules of conduct or existing WMU sponsor agreements during official team activities. Michigan's NIL statute lists no banned categories | WMU Athletics, NIL Policy (2022), 4.1.2; /nil/college/michigan |
| School marks and group licensing | The posted policy file says use of WMU marks is prohibited "unless WMU provides the Student-Athlete or the third party with an appropriate license", that co-branding with WMU logos "requires explicit approval from Marketing and Strategic Communications", and that facilities and equipment are rented on third-party terms. Athletes may make incidental use of WMU-branded attire at an NIL appearance if it does not imply sponsorship. WMU relaunched its Official NIL Store with Campus Ink and Rally House on 2026-08-21, selling "officially licensed student-athlete merchandise" | WMU Athletics, NIL Policy (2022), 4.3; NIL Store release (2026-08-21) |
| Revenue sharing | The College Sports Commission puts the 2026-27 cap at approximately $21.58 million per school and lists Western Michigan as a participating school for 2026-27. WMU's AD wrote on 2025-07-28 that WMU would share revenue "with select student-athletes in four revenue generating sports" in 2025-26 and expand scholarships in one men's and five women's sports, and on 2026-07-21 that WMU strives "to invest at a rate that will constantly place us in the top third of our leagues" in revenue sharing and NIL. WMU's FY26 fundraising release (2026-07-14) lists "NIL, Scholarship and Revenue Share support" as a development need. Both letters were written by Dan Bartholomae; WMU named Alex Gary vice president and director of athletics on 2026-09-28. No total is published | WMU Athletics, AD letters (2025-07-28, 2026-07-21), fundraising release (2026-07-14) and new AD release (2026-09-28); College Sports Commission |
| Collective or NIL group | Broncos Will Reign. WMU Athletics announced it on 2024-09-13 as "the official NIL collective of Bronco Athletics through a strategic sponsorship agreement with Van Wagner's Bronco Sports Partners", WMU's multimedia rights holder. The AD's 2025-07-28 letter thanked the collective and said "These efforts will now shift internally, where our donors who support revenue sharing can enjoy all Bronco Athletic Fund member benefits". The collective's own site, live on 2026-10-23, still calls it "the official NIL Collective of Western Michigan University", focused on athletes' work for charitable organizations | WMU Athletics releases (2024-09-13, 2025-07-28); Broncos Will Reign site |
| Agents and representation | The posted policy file lets athletes enter agreements with an athlete agent or attorney for NIL, says "Professional representation by an athlete agent, financial advisor, or attorney must be provided by persons licensed in this state and/or maintain certifications for relevant sport organizations, as applicable", and bars agents for professional team representation. Michigan law has the same "licensed in this state, as applicable" rule (MCL 390.1735(3)); no Michigan athlete-agent registration statute was found | WMU Athletics, NIL Policy (2022), 4.1.1; /nil/college/michigan |
| Compliance contact | WMU Athletics Compliance Office, Associate Athletic Director for Compliance, zannie.black@wmich.edu (compliance page, read 2026-10-23) | WMU Athletics, Compliance page |
| State law | Michigan's 2020 PA 366 (MCL 390.1731 to 390.1741) is in force: athletes disclose a deal to the school at least 7 days before committing, schools may not pay prospective athletes for NIL, and representation must come from persons licensed in Michigan, as applicable | /nil/college/michigan |
What is specific to Western Michigan
Western Michigan's athletic director has written publicly about money and strategy. His letters say WMU's campus support is "in the bottom third of the Mid-American Conference" and that external support "now must cover over 50%" of its budget (2026-01-08), that WMU began sharing revenue with select athletes in four sports in 2025-26, and that it aims to invest in revenue sharing and NIL "at a rate that will constantly place us in the top third of our leagues" (2026-07-21); WMU named a new athletic director, Alex Gary, on 2026-09-28. WMU said it was the first MAC school to partner with Altius Sports Partners (2024-03-06), which placed an in-house NIL General Manager at WMU in May 2024. Its ONWARD NIL program pairs the Bronco Exchange on INFLCR with Broncos Empowered education, including a one-credit personal branding course built with the Haworth College of Business. WMU also plays hockey in the NCHC, which its compliance office names among the conferences whose rules it applies.
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 Western Michigan
Does Western Michigan pay its athletes?
Yes, through revenue sharing. WMU's athletic director wrote on 2025-07-28 that "In 2025-26, we will be sharing revenues with select student-athletes in four revenue generating sports", and the College Sports Commission lists Western Michigan as a participating school for 2026-27, when the cap is approximately $21.58 million per school. WMU has not published a total or which four sports.
What NIL collective works with Western Michigan?
Broncos Will Reign, which WMU Athletics named its official NIL collective on 2024-09-13 through a sponsorship agreement with Van Wagner's Bronco Sports Partners. The AD's 2025-07-28 letter thanked the collective and said NIL support efforts "will now shift internally" as revenue sharing begins. The collective's site still describes it as WMU's official NIL collective.
How do Western Michigan athletes report NIL deals?
The NIL policy file WMU posts (marked "Policy No: XX-xx", with no adoption date) has athletes disclose a contract through INFLCR at least seven days before entering it, and Michigan law sets disclosure at least 7 days before committing (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).
Does an NIL agent for a WMU athlete need a Michigan license?
The FAQ in WMU's posted policy file says a representative must be licensed in Michigan "if their profession generally requires state licensure", for example an attorney. Michigan law says representation must be provided by persons "licensed in this state, as applicable", and no Michigan athlete-agent registration law was found.
What is WMU's ONWARD program?
ONWARD is Western Michigan's NIL program, focused on branding, education, community connections, and policy and monitoring. It includes the Bronco Exchange on INFLCR for businesses, Broncos Empowered education, and a one-credit personal branding course with the Haworth College of Business.
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