Posts

Lets Talk About NIL: Families Are Part Of The NIL Ecosystem

Families have been navigating value, leverage, and risk in college sports long before NIL was ever legalized. They were doing the work quietly, strategically, and often without any institutional support because the system left them no alternative. Where I think the...

Lets Talk About NIL: What Exactly Are You Leaving? The Transfer Portal Dilemma

When you enter the portal, UNDERSTAND that your current contract with your current school MATTERS!! Read the contract! Before entering the portal, athletes need to understand: your current contracts still matters. You need clarity on: Scholarship terms and what...

Lets Talk About NIL: Who’s Paying For My Fees? The Transfer Portal Dilemma

When you enter the portal, the biggest question isn’t just “Who wants me?”, but “Who is covering the cost of my move?” Before committing, athletes need clarity on whether the new school will step in to cover: Termination fees from your current NIL deals, buyout...

Lets Talk About NIL: What Is Your NIL Goal?

Before you earn a dollar of NIL, ask yourself one thing: What is my plan? What do I want my next 4-5 years to look like? What are my goals and how can I execute? What do YOU want out of NIL? - Do you want NIL? What type of NIL are you looking for? Do you want to grow...

Lets Talk About NIL: Bad Advice v. Bad Actors

Too many athletes think the biggest threat to their NIL is a bad actor. It’s not. The biggest threat is bad advice.Advice from a teammate who “heard something. Advice from a group chat. Advice from someone who’s never read a contract, never filed a tax return, never...

Lets Talk About NIL: You Really Don’t Want To Enter The Transfer Portal

Every year, thousands (like lots of thousands!) of athletes enter the transfer portal hoping for a better fit, a bigger role, or a clearer path forward. But what often gets overlooked is that the portal isn’t just a roster decision. It’s a career decision.If the...

Let’s Talk About NIL: The Most Dangerous Contract Clauses

Everyone looks for the big red flags in NIL contracts. But the most dangerous clauses are the ones that look harmless:“Standard” commission languageUndefined deliverablesTermination penaltiesExclusivity limitationsThese aren’t mistakes. They’re leverage points, and if...

A Third Party NIL Deal Checklist – Helping Student Athletes Navigate NIL Deals

A quick branding checklist for athletes navigating 3rd‑party NIL deals. 1. Understand the contract - know what you’re agreeing to: usage rights, exclusivity, deliverables, timelines, payment terms, and content restrictions. If you don’t understand it, ask. 2....

What To Look For – 3rd Party NIL Deals

I had a recent conversation with a talent manager and they believe creators/athletes leave money on the table because they don’t know what they’re allowed to negotiate in 3rd party NIL deals. You’re not just negotiating for your name, image, and likeness. You’re...