Vanderbilt hires Amanda Green to tackle NIL complexities

In Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University has made a significant appointment by hiring Amanda Green as an associate general counsel for its athletic department. This move is particularly timely as the landscape of collegiate athletics evolves due to the increasing prominence of name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements. Amanda Green's extensive background in the NBA, particularly with the Oklahoma City Thunder, will be pivotal in strategizing and implementing NIL agreements that benefit the university’s student-athletes. Green brings nearly twenty years of experience in sports law and operations, having worked closely with both the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder. Her tenure with these teams has equipped her with a deep understanding of how to facilitate successful partnerships and create environments where athletes can thrive. Green also has legal expertise from her time at Proskauer Rose LLP and her involvement with the NBA concerning intellectual property. She will play a crucial role in addressing the legal complexities that come with the recent changes in NCAA regulations regarding NIL. The NCAA recently reformed its recruiting rules, allowing schools to discuss NIL opportunities with prospective athletes more openly. These adjustments have raised questions about how effectively recruits and their families can navigate these negotiations. Schools, including Vanderbilt, now need to prepare their athletes to negotiate NIL agreements even before college enrollment. This requirement may lead to quicker and more complex discussions surrounding endorsements and sponsorships, thereby influencing the recruiting landscape significantly. As college sports continues to evolve, the addition of Amanda Green to Vanderbilt's athletic department exemplifies the institution's proactive approach to addressing the demands of modern collegiate athletics. With changes to both recruiting rules and the landscape of athlete compensation becoming more pronounced, her legal insight will help ensure that Vanderbilt competes at a high level while keeping up with these advancements in student-athlete rights.