Article VII, Section B

Competition Against Professional Teams
A student-athlete may compete against professional teams or athletes if the event is sanctioned or approved by the NAIA or the appropriate sport governing body.

Participation with Non-Amateur Teammates
Student-athletes may participate on teams where some members receive remuneration, provided the team itself is not designated as professional and the student-athlete receives no more than actual, documented expenses for travel, meals, and lodging.

Individual Amateur Events
Participation in individual non-team amateur competitions is permissible, with reimbursement limited to actual and properly documented travel, meal, and lodging expenses.

Coaching and Officiating
Student-athletes may coach or officiate in amateur, recreational, or interscholastic settings and receive reasonable compensation. Coaching at the intercollegiate level is also allowed if the compensation complies with institutional aid policies and is reported as athletic-related aid.

Recreational and Camp Employment
Employment in sports-related roles (e.g., camps, municipal programs, or private clubs) is permitted. Compensation must reflect fair market value, and instructional duties may be included if incidental to the role.

Private Instruction
Student-athletes may provide sport-specific lessons for reasonable, market-based compensation on a per-lesson basis.

Media Participation
Participation in radio, television, or other promotional efforts to support amateur events is permissible.

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)
Student-athletes may receive compensation for the use of their name, image, or likeness (NIL) in connection with commercial products, enterprises, or appearances. If compensation is related to their student-athlete status or institution, they must notify their institution’s athletics director in writing. See this article for further information on NIL in the NAIA.

Professional Tryouts
Attending a professional tryout is not a violation, provided there is no contract signed, no compensation received, and no participation against other teams.

Mixed-Team Competition
Playing on a non-professional team with athletes who have lost amateur standing is allowed if the student-athlete abides by expense reimbursement limits.

Intercollegiate Coaching
Coaching at the collegiate level is permitted within the financial aid structure defined in NAIA bylaws. This aid must be properly reported.