The NAIA has become the first college athletic league to pass legislation to allow athletes to be compensated based on their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). 

The language of the NAIA's change specifically allows for athletes to be compensated for "promoting any commercial product, enterprise, or for public or media appearance." Athletes will be allowed to reference their school in these ventures. 

"This is a landmark day for the NAIA and we are happy to lead the way in providing additional opportunities for our student-athletes," said NAIA president Jim Carr. "The time was right for the NAIA to ensure our student-athletes can use their name, image and likeness in the same ways as all other college students."

The move was spurred by California's Fair Pay to Play Act, which codified calls for athletes to be able to profit off their NIL. Starting in 2023, schools in California are mandated to allow athletes to benefit from these opportunities. There are at least 20 other states that could follow. 

However, the NAIA has decided to get out ahead of national legislation and bring NIL legislation to the body starting now. 

While this decision allows for student-athletes to be compensated by outside entities for Name, Image and Likeness, it does not make athletes employees or provide direct payment from the institutions. However, most forms of outside compensation will be allowed, including individual endorsement deals, selling autographs or appearances and even monetized social media pages.

The NAIA's decision to go forward with NIL legislation before any level of the NCAA could give the league a short-term boost in recruiting and player acquisition. High school recruits will have to decide whether the chance at making money outside of the playing field could be a difference-maker between picking a scholarship at an NCAA school or scholarship and potentially more money at an NAIA institution. 

There are 13 NAIA institutions in the state of Texas, but just four play football: Southwestern Assemblies of God, Texas College, Texas Wesleyan and Wayland Baptist.