The Berkeley Name, Image, and Likeness Initiative (BNILI) is a student-initiated legal services project focused on empowering UC Berkeley student-athletes as they navigate the rapidly evolving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape. BNILI provides legal education, contract literacy resources, and limited-scope support, helping athletes understand their rights and protect their interests. It also offers Berkeley Law students hands-on experience at the intersection of sports law, IP, contracts, and compliance.
Since the NCAA’s 2021 rule change, NIL has fundamentally reshaped college athletics, opening doors for athletes but also creating new legal and financial risks. Many athletes, especially those in non-revenue sports, lack access to independent, trustworthy legal resources when entering NIL agreements. BNILI fills that gap, equipping athletes with tools to make informed decisions and positioning Berkeley Law at the forefront of an urgent and evolving issue.
BNILI will work directly with Cal student-athletes, with a particular focus on those participating in non-revenue-generating sports, who often lack access to independent legal resources when navigating NIL opportunities. As independent advisors, we aim to provide athletes with education and limited-scope guidance without formal affiliation with UC Berkeley Athletics. Our supervising attorney, Wayne Stacy, Executive Director of the Berkeley Center for Law & Technology (BCLT), will oversee all student work and provide training.
BNILI’s Key Areas:
- Education & Outreach: Hosting NIL literacy sessions tailored to student-athletes.
- Contract Support: Offering limited-scope guidance on NIL agreements, focusing on rights, obligations, and risks under supervision.
- Resource Development: Creating practical toolkits, guides, and FAQs to demystify NIL contracts and compliance.
At BNILI, our goal is to cultivate a lasting relationship between the student-athletes who call UC Berkeley home and Berkeley Law’s renowned expertise in intellectual property, technology, and innovation. By connecting these two communities, we aim to create a uniquely impactful initiative, one that not only empowers athletes to make informed decisions about their Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities but also leverages Berkeley Law’s leadership in IP to foster meaningful education, collaboration, and support.
Student Leaders:
Alex Cheng ’27: As a former collegiate football player, I experienced firsthand the challenges that student-athletes face when navigating recruiting, scholarships, and personal brand opportunities without adequate resources or guidance. Those experiences gave me a deep understanding of the pressures athletes face off the field, especially when legal and financial decisions can shape their futures.
Now, as a Berkeley Law student, I want to use the knowledge I’ve gained to help fill that gap. Co-founding the Berkeley NIL Initiative (BNILI) allows me to combine my passion for athletics with my legal training to empower student-athletes as they navigate the evolving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape. Through BNILI, I hope to provide athletes with the education, tools, and support I wish had been available to me and my teammates, while also developing practical skills at the intersection of contracts, IP, and sports law.
Emily Miles ’27: My decision to pursue law school was shaped by my passion for technology and advocacy. With a background in tech, I developed a strong interest in how intellectual property law protects creators and entrepreneurs. That interest grew as I explored rapidly evolving industries such as digital media and sports, and I hope to apply this perspective to help student-athletes navigate the emerging NIL landscape.
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BNILI is one of two new pro bono Student-Initiated Legal Services Project launching this Fall Semester at Berkeley Law’s Pro Bono Program and one of 41 SLPS projects. Click to read more about Berkeley Law’s Student-Initiated Legal Services Project, and other enriching pro bono opportunities.
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