It's no secret that name/image/likeness (NIL) deals have changed the landscape of college sports since being legalized for amateur athletes. But are NIL deals now coming to the world of politics?
They are if Donald Trump gets his way apparently.
The former President currently running a campaign to regain his lofty post as the leader of the free world while embroiled in a number of criminal court cases has made an unprecedented request of his fellow Republicans.
"Beginning tomorrow, we ask that all candidates and committees who choose to use President Trump's name, image, and likeness split a minimum of 5% of all fundraising solicitations to Trump National Committee JFC," the Trump campaign wrote in a letter to GOP vendors.
The letter also asked that Republican fundraisers get the Trump campaign's consent before invoking the name of any members of the Trump family.
Essentially, if this request becomes standard operating procedure, no endorsement Trump makes for other politicians will be mentionable unless Trump gets a cut of that candidate's fundraising dollars.
However, the Trump campaign says the move is being made to keep Trump voters from being scammed by unscrupulous coattail-riders who may be conning donors into thinking their money is going to Trump rather than a different candidate using his image.
"It is important to protect small dollar donors from scammers that use the president's name and likeness," Trump campaign spokesperson Danielle Alvarez said, according to USA Today.
