Tip line set up for anonymous reporting of NIL violations

The College Sports Commission launched a tip line for reporting potential NIL violations on Wednesday.

The commission called it an important information-gathering tool as it oversees thousands of name, image and likeness deals that have transformed the college sports landscape.

"One of the foundational aspects of any compliance program is reporting methods," CSC CEO Bryan Seeley told The Associated Press. "And it's important to have reporting methods that people feel comfortable using, which often involves providing anonymous reporting."

Student-athletes, coaches, administrators and others can call (571) 576-2272 or submit anonymous reports via text message, email or web form at www.collegesportscommission.org/report.

All phone numbers and identifying information are masked to protect the reporter's identity, according to the CSC.

The CSC has contracted with the technology firm RealResponse, which offers similar reporting tools for issues relevant to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, NFL Players Association, Major League Baseball and others.

"Since NIL has become a reality, it has heightened the opportunity for bad behavior and cheating to occur in college athletics," RealResponse founder and CEO David Chadwick said, per the AP. "Everyone agrees the rules need to be followed, there needs to be accountability and enforcement. The reality is that for that to happen, there have to be reporting mechanisms in place and there has to be good technology that allows people who want to report anonymously to do so."

The watchdog CSC was created out of this summer's $2.8 billion antitrust settlement between former Arizona State swimmer Grant House and the NCAA and the nation's five biggest athletic conferences.

The CSC examines third-party NIL deals worth $600 or more that are submitted through its "NIL Go" app. As of last month, it said it had approved more than 6,000 deals valued at more than $35 million.

--Field Level Media