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UC Davis softball pitcher, Ashley Sawai.

Welcome to UC Davis NIL

UC Davis Athletics NIL is your one-stop shop for everything related to Name, Image and Likeness. We are committed to providing opportunities for our student-athletes to grow their personal brands, expand their professional skills, and explore entrepreneurship. Partnering with our student-athletes allows businesses to boost brand visibility, authentically connect with a younger generation, and align with the values of excellence, leadership and innovation.

What is NIL?

Student-athletes have the opportunity to receive compensation from third parties using their personal brand for commercial or promotional purposes, often referred to as their name, image and likeness (NIL). The use of the student-athlete’s NIL must have a valid business purpose and cannot exceed a reasonable range of compensation.

Permissible Activities

  • Partnering with businesses and brands to promote products or services
  • Promote products or services in television, radio or social media ads
  • Selling Merchandise or Autographs
  • Personal Appearances
  • Provide Personal Lessons, Small Group Training or Camps

Non-Permissible Activities

  • Enter into an NIL agreement for “Pay for Play”, which does not have a valid business purpose
  • Enter into endorsements with prohibited categories:
    • Adult Entertainment
    • Gambling and Sports Wagering
    • Performance Enhancing Drugs
    • Recruiting Services
    • Tobacco and Marijuana
    • Any product, brand or company that conflicts with the values & mission of the University or reflects adversely on the University
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Ryann Bennett, Women’s Basketball

Partnership with VOLT Coffee

Women’s Basketball guard Ryann Bennett partnered with VOLT Coffee, which blends artisanal brews with a dynamic community atmosphere, creating a unique space for flavor exploration and memorable experiences. Ryann promotes VOLT Coffee’s Davis cafe location on Instagram Stories and Feed Post.

A football player in a helmet with long hair, wearing a UC Davis jersey, gazes profile.


Rex Conners, Football

Partnership with Sudwerk Brewery

Football standout defensive back Rex Conners partnered with Sudwerk Brewery to promote their restaurant and “Lunch with the Ball Coach.” Rex was a brand ambassador for Sudwerk promoting their Davis restaurant location on Instagram and on a radio voiceover. Rex also made appearance to drive attendance at the monthly “Lunch with the Ball Coach” with Head Coach Tim Plough.

How does NIL impact me as a 

uc davis lacrosse athlete

Student-Athlete
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Business or Brand
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Donor or Supporter

“Supporting Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities are essential to the success and well-being of our basketball student athletes. They compete at an elite level in the classroom at a top-10 public university while proudly representing UC Davis on the court and in the community.

As we make our historic move to the Mountain West Conference, creating meaningful, revenue-generating NIL opportunities through the support of friends, donors, and sponsors is critical to investing in these young people and ensuring they have the resources they deserve to thrive.”

Head Coach Men’s Basketball Jim Les

UC Davis NIL Exchange

The UC Davis NIL Exchange is a student-athlete Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) business registry custom-designed for businesses, donors, alumni, and any other interested NIL dollars wishing to connect with student-athletes

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UC Davis NIL Store

Shop officially licensed NIL merchandise, giving fans the opportunity to purchase custom gear while directly supporting their favorite Aggie student-athletes through personalized licensed apparel.

White t-shirt featuring a female basketball player in action with the name "Megan Norris."

Educational Materials

NIL Quickstart teaches student-athletes the three steps that correlate to landing their first or next NIL deal. Educational materials are FREE, just sign up for a profile.

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Champion Aggies Club Fund

When you make a gift to Champion Aggies Club, you are directly empowering our student-athletes with initiatives in Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), scholarships and general operating expenses.

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Contact Us!

Whether you're a student-athlete, business, donor or supporter, we're here to help answer your questions about NIL (name, image and likeness) here at UC Davis. Complete the form below and we'll be in touch!

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