University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Name, Image and Likeness
NIL Spotlight
Delaware Athletics NIL Statistics
- Delaware placed Top 40 nationally in NIL merchandise royalties during the 2025-26 academic year.
- Delaware’s NIL merchandise partnership with Athlete's Thread, which featured year-round strategic promotion of officially licensed student-athlete merchandise, resulted in Delaware finishing among the Top 25 schools in annual merchandise sales across Athlete's Thread's network of more than 400 licensed partners.
- Representation from student-athletes across all 22 varsity sports and our spirit program
Frequently Asked Questions
What is meant by the phrase “Name, Image, Likeness” (NIL) with regard to NCAA legislation?
The use of name, image and likeness (NIL) refers to an individual’s ability to capitalize on their publicity and be compensated through third party endorsements. Previously, the NCAA prohibited student-athletes from utilizing their (NIL) in such a manner. It remains impermissible per NCAA legislation to compensate student-athletes in any manner in exchange for athletic performance or achievement (pay-for-play).
What are some examples of NIL activities that are now permissible?
- Student-athletes may now be compensated in relation to:
- Running their own camps or clinics
- The sale of their own art or creative goods
- Appearances or autographs sessions
- Endorsement of commercial product or services
- Social media ads, endorsements, or content creation
What is the Blue Hen Exchange?
The Blue Hen Exchange is a student-athlete NIL registry, custom designed for businesses, donors, alumni and others wishing to connect with student-athletes for NIL opportunities. Registered businesses can search, filter, and initiate conversations with student-athletes to discuss an NIL deal. Once the NIL deal between a registered business and your student-athlete is completed, the business will use the Blue Hen Exchange to create a transaction that will produce a direct payment to the student-athlete and automate a disclosure to the INFLCR Verified Compliance Ledger.
Can student-athletes use University of Delaware logos or marks as part of NIL activities?
Student-athletes may state that they compete in (insert name of sport) at University of Delaware to identify themselves in connection with NIL activity. Student-athletes may use photos of themselves in their Delaware uniform from game competition only or other photos provided to them by UD Athletics. Student-athletes may not use the University's name, logo, marks or other intellectual property owned by the University in any other manner unless specific approval is obtained in advance in accordance to the University of Delaware Trademark Licensing policy available here. Information related to licensed apparel and goods and licensing agreements pertaining to retail products can be sourced through the Collegiate Licensing Company.
Where can I find the University of Delaware's NIL Policy?
Please click here for the University of Delaware's NIL Policy.
What if I have additional questions?
Please email Reid Watkins, Assistant Director, Marketing and NIL, at watkinsr@udel.edu with any additional questions, and we will be happy to answer them or point you in the right direction.
