In this case, the language may be different enough (legally speaking) to where it wouldn't qualify as a salary under federal and/or state labor laws.

For example, the NIL contract could be viewed similar to the work-study programs that students are allowed to participate in (i.e. working at dining halls, on campus bookstore, RAs, etc.). At least I don't think they qualify as "salary" in the same sense the people who are employed to work their 12 months of the year. Now if we are talking accounting terms, it is even possible a school books the cost incurred under a different G/L account than the salary cost incurred for traditional employees. Whereas, the salary evolution would be treated the same as professors, deans, AD, custodial engineers, etc. in terms of how the cost is recorded by the schools.