Is the National Letter of Intent Legally Binding?

With all of the talk about the transfer portal and things related to transfer, I frequently get asked if the NLI is legally binding and what options are there for a prospective student-athlete that signs one and changes their mind.

I tell each of my clients that signing a NLI is not required and it is not mandated by the NCAA. The NLI is administered separately from the NCAA. So what exactly is a NLI. The National Letter of Intent (NLI) is a document used primarily by NCAA Division I and II institutions signifying a prospective student-athlete’s commitment to attend and compete for a specific college or university. By signing the NLI, the student-athlete agrees to enroll at the institution for at least one academic year, and in return, the institution commits to providing an athletic scholarship for that period. This agreement helps both the athlete and the school plan for the future, though it does come with certain stipulations and penalties if either party fails to uphold the terms.

Now that we know what the NLI is, what are a student’s options should they sign one and change their mind. There are a couple of things to keep in mind here. The student will most likely lose a year of eligibility should they not be granted a release from the NLI (initiate this process on the NLI website) and would not be eligible to compete at another NCAA Division I or II institution for a year. Option one would be to stay where they signed. Option two would be to transfer to a NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA or NJCAA institution. As I tell each of my clients, take your time with signing a NLI and if you’re unsure consult with family and those you trust before being rushed into a decision that you may regret.

EM