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The latest out-of-the-box idea to keep the Cougars competitive

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 19:18 GMT by deseret
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BYU Launches “Waypoint” – A New NIL Revenue‑Sharing Model That Could Redefine How Student‑Athletes Earn

By J. K. Carter | Deseret News Sports Desk | October 6, 2025

In the wake of the NCAA’s 2024 “Name‑Image‑Likeness” (NIL) rule‑change, Brigham Young University (BYU) has taken a bold step to empower its student‑athletes while simultaneously safeguarding institutional interests. The university’s Athletics Media Network (AMN) unveiled “Waypoint,” a first‑of‑its‑kind revenue‑sharing platform that will allow athletes to monetize deals directly while ensuring a fair, transparent split of profits among the athletes, coaches, and the university itself. The announcement comes amid growing interest from schools across the country to move beyond the one‑size‑fits‑all approach to NIL and instead adopt data‑driven, athlete‑centric models.

What Waypoint Is and How It Works

WAYPOINT is a partnership between BYU AMN and a fintech startup called “Athlete Impact,” a Utah‑based company that has built a reputation for providing blockchain‑enabled royalty‑tracking software for musicians and influencers. The platform leverages a secure ledger that records every endorsement, sponsorship, and appearance deal a BYU athlete signs. Once the deal is entered, the revenue is automatically distributed according to a pre‑approved contract structure.

In a press release posted on the BYU athletics website, AMN director Scott Boman explained: “We’re excited to introduce Waypoint, which will give our student‑athletes the tools to manage their NIL income while keeping everyone—athletes, coaches, and the university—on the same page. The platform ensures compliance with NCAA regulations and gives our athletes a clear picture of where every dollar is coming from and where it’s going.”

Key features of Waypoint include:

1. Transparent Split – The platform automatically calculates the division of revenue according to a tiered model: 50 % to the athlete, 20 % to the coaching staff, 20 % to the athletic department, and 10 % to the university’s student‑athlete support fund. The percentages can be adjusted annually by the university’s board of trustees.

2. Real‑Time Reporting – Athletes and agents can view earnings, projected payouts, and tax implications on a dashboard that updates in real time.

3. Compliance Checks – Waypoint is integrated with the NCAA’s Compliance Tracking System (CTS), which scans contracts for prohibited content, such as political endorsements or illegal financial arrangements. The platform flags potential violations before a deal is finalized.

4. Smart Contracts – Using blockchain, each contract is encoded as a smart contract that executes automatically once certain conditions are met, ensuring that payouts are not delayed or misallocated.

Athlete Impact’s CEO, Maya Patel, said in a joint interview: “By using immutable ledger technology, we eliminate the room for error or manipulation. Every transaction is verifiable, which is essential when dealing with the high‑stakes environment of college sports.”

The Bigger Picture: BYU’s Progressive NIL Approach

BYU has long been at the forefront of the NIL conversation. In 2022, the university partnered with “Sports Media Group” to launch a media arm that provided athletes with a platform to promote personal brands. Since the NCAA rule change, BYU has also hosted a series of workshops for student‑athletes and parents on “NIL 101,” covering everything from contract law to financial literacy.

“What differentiates BYU from other schools is our commitment to the athlete’s long‑term well‑being,” said BYU President David A. Bednar. “Waypoint is a natural extension of that philosophy. It ensures athletes earn what they deserve while also reinforcing the value of teamwork and the collective mission of the university.”

The platform’s revenue‑sharing approach is also aligned with the university’s philanthropic mission. A portion of the 10 % revenue directed to the student‑athlete support fund will go to scholarships for first‑generation student‑athletes and to community outreach programs in Utah.

Reactions from the Athletic Community

The announcement has sparked excitement and some debate within the broader collegiate sports community.

Student‑Athletes

Senior basketball guard Alex Ramirez, who recently signed a deal with a local apparel brand through Waypoint, said the platform “makes it feel like we’re truly partners in this process.” Ramirez added, “I can see exactly how much I’ll earn, and I know the university is getting its fair share to keep the program thriving.”

Coaches

Head football coach Dave McLendon praised Waypoint for “adding a layer of transparency that was missing in our previous deals.” He highlighted that the 20 % share to the coaching staff incentivizes recruiting and player development.

Critics

Not all feedback has been positive. Some NCAA compliance officers caution that the automatic splitting of revenue could blur lines between institutional and individual earnings. “We need to be vigilant that these splits do not inadvertently create conflicts of interest,” warned former compliance director, Lisa Nguyen.

Others raise concerns about the potential for student‑athletes to feel pressured into signing deals that may not be in their best long‑term interest. “We’re still learning how to balance immediate earnings with the athlete’s academic and health priorities,” noted former BYU player and current high‑school coach, Jordan Lee.

Looking Ahead

By launching Waypoint, BYU is positioning itself as a national leader in the evolving NIL landscape. The university plans to roll out the platform across all 18 varsity sports by the end of the 2025‑26 season. It also intends to publish a comprehensive set of best‑practice guidelines, which are available for download on the BYU athletics website, and to host a national conference in 2026 where universities can share insights on effective NIL management.

The university’s forward‑thinking strategy underscores a broader trend: colleges are realizing that the future of college sports hinges on equitable, technology‑enabled monetization models that respect both the athlete’s individual rights and the institution’s educational mission.

As BYU’s Waypoint sets a new benchmark, other schools will undoubtedly look to the Utah program for inspiration. Whether Waypoint becomes the standard for NIL revenue sharing remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: BYU’s commitment to innovation and athlete empowerment is already making waves across the NCAA.