Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities in Division III look drastically different than in Division I. In 2021, the NCAA rule change allowed all college athletes to profit from their personal brand. The profit looks different at each level.

Division III athletes don’t have access to the same resources as Division I athletes. These athletes are faced with limitations due to low visibility, limited media exposure and smaller athletic budgets. Another limitation Division III athletes are faced with is having no athletic scholarships.

The lack of national exposure can be seen as the major setback for Division III athletes as they do not often get the opportunities to be broadcast on national television. On the other hand, Division I athletics fill primetime slots and hold records for most-watched broadcasts.

The lack of national exposure makes it hard for the programs to build a large audience. NIL valuation is tied closely with the athletes’ social media presence which result in Division III athletes struggling to attract major NIL deals. Division III athletes will instead look to small businesses within the surrounding areas of their college for NIL deals.

Institutional resources play a big role in limiting an athlete’s NIL potential. Many Division III programs lack the funding, staffing and support to provide their athletes with guidance and NIL support. This contributes to the major gap between Division I programs and Division III.

NIL in Division III is not as reachable because of the limited exposure. NIL opportunities still exist at the Division III level but requires local engagement and heavy self-promotion to succeed.