The Northern Kentucky University Board of Regents voted to allow the university to pay its athletes.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association, (NCAA), is changing its rules for Division 1 schools. Non-power 5 schools (schools not in the five major conferences) have the option to opt into the new structure. The NKU Board of Regents voted to opt into the new structure at a special meeting on Jan. 15.
Opting in means that NKU will be allowed to pay student-athletes for playing sports and for using their name, image, and likeness, more commonly known as NIL. It is not a requirement, but it gives NKU the option. It also changes the roster sizes of teams and imposes a cap on the number of athletes on teams.