Yale University just made a major move in the NIL space. The school announced a partnership with Opendorse, a leading NIL platform that helps athletes maximize their name, image, and likeness opportunities.
With this partnership, Yale athletes will get access to marketing technology, education, and endorsement opportunities—giving them the tools to navigate NIL the right way. This is a big step for an Ivy League school, especially considering the Ivy League’s decision to opt out of the NCAA’s antitrust settlement that allows direct payments to athletes.
The Ivy League’s choice to reject the $2.8 billion NCAA antitrust settlement was a clear statement that it intends to keep its amateur model intact. Unlike Power Five conferences, Ivy League schools won’t be paying athletes directly for their participation in sports. Instead, schools like Yale are finding alternative ways to help athletes succeed in the new NIL landscape. This Opendorse partnership is an example of that strategy—giving athletes resources, brand-building opportunities, and endorsement access without breaking the Ivy League’s core philosophy.
By working with Opendorse, Yale is ensuring that its student-athletes can build their brands, land sponsorship deals, and take full advantage of NIL opportunities—even within the Ivy League’s more traditional model.
This move also signals something bigger: even in conferences where direct payments aren’t happening, NIL is here to stay, and top academic schools like Yale aren’t sitting on the sidelines. They’re adapting, and in doing so, they’re proving that NIL isn’t just about the money—it’s about giving athletes more control over their futures.
For more details on Yale’s partnership with Opendorse, check out CT Insider.
For Yale Athletics and its NIL marketplace, visit the official Yale Bulldogs website.
