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For educational purposes only. Not legal, financial, or compliance advice. Always consult your school's compliance office before signing any NIL agreement. Rules evolve. Verify current requirements at ncaa.org and collegesportscommission.org.  ·  Last reviewed: April 2026 (Sections 01–03 updated)
Name · Image · Likeness

NIL RESOURCE
HUB

Everything a college athlete needs to understand, protect, and act on their NIL rights — rules, money sources, sport-specific context, and tools to move forward. Every sport. Every division.

All Sports Division I · II · III NAIA JUCO Updated 2025–26 Verified Links

NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness. It is your legal right to earn money from who you are. Your face, your name, your story, your brand. While remaining eligible to compete in college athletics.

Since July 2021, the NCAA has allowed all college athletes across every division to pursue NIL opportunities. The 2025 House v. NCAA settlement took that further, allowing Division I schools to pay athletes directly for the first time in history.

2014 — O'Bannon v. NCAA Former UCLA basketball player Ed O'Bannon won a lawsuit against the NCAA for using his likeness in a video game without compensation. The first crack in the amateurism wall.
2019 — California Acts First California passed the Fair Pay to Play Act, becoming the first state to give college athletes the right to earn NIL compensation. Other states followed quickly.
June 2021 — Supreme Court Rules In NCAA v. Alston, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the NCAA's restrictions on athlete benefits violated antitrust law. Days later, the NCAA suspended its NIL ban entirely.
July 2021 — NIL Era Begins All NCAA athletes across every division can now earn money from their name, image, and likeness without losing eligibility. NIL collectives form rapidly at major programs.
June 2025 — House Settlement Approved U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken approved the $2.576 billion House v. NCAA settlement, allowing Division I schools to pay athletes directly for the first time. Revenue sharing begins July 1, 2025.
July 2025 — New Era Begins Schools can now distribute up to $20.5 million annually in direct payments to athletes. NIL Go (Deloitte) launches as the clearinghouse for all third-party deals over $600. The College Sports Commission becomes the enforcement body.
October 2025 — Enforcement Expands The NCAA Division I Board of Directors adopts new reporting amendments extending NIL obligations to all DI athletes, including high school prospects, JUCO transfers, and portal entrants.
April 1, 2026 — Ghost Transfer Rule (DI) The NCAA Division I Cabinet adopts emergency legislation for all DI sports. Programs that sign a transfer, add them to the roster, or allow athletic participation without the athlete entering the transfer portal face automatic penalties: head coach suspended for 50% of a season + a fine of 20% of that sport's budget. Effective immediately, retroactive to Feb. 25, 2026. Source: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). “DI Cabinet Adopts Ghost Transfer Rules.” NCAA.org, April 1, 2026. Accessed April 2026.
NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Your legal right to earn money from your personal identity. Your name, face, voice, social media presence, and public persona. For commercial purposes.
NIL Deal Any agreement where you receive compensation (money, products, or services) in exchange for allowing a business or individual to use your name, image, or likeness to promote their goods or services.
NIL Collective A third-party organization. Typically funded by alumni, donors, and boosters. That pools money and facilitates NIL deals for athletes at a specific school. Collectives operate independently from universities.
Revenue Sharing Beginning July 1, 2025, Division I schools that opt into the House settlement can pay athletes directly from athletic revenue. Up to $20.5 million per school annually in 2025–26.
NIL Go The online clearinghouse portal built by Deloitte and operated by the College Sports Commission (CSC). All DI athletes must report third-party NIL deals of $600 or more through NIL Go within five business days of signing.
College Sports Commission (CSC) The independent enforcement body created under the House settlement to oversee NIL compliance, revenue sharing caps, and roster limits. Led by former MLB executive Bryan Seeley.
Valid Business Purpose A CSC requirement that all NIL deals must be tied to actual commercial activity — promoting a real product or service to the public for profit. The athlete's NIL must be genuinely used in the promotion.
Pay-for-Play Prohibited under all circumstances. Paying an athlete to attend a specific school, stay at a school, or as a reward for athletic performance. Not the same as legitimate NIL compensation for promotional services.
CAPS The Compensation and Administrative Platform System — operated by LBi under CSC oversight. Where institutions upload revenue sharing agreements and manage benefits cap reporting.
Benefits Cap The ceiling on total revenue sharing and benefits a DI institution can provide to athletes in an academic year. Set at $20.5 million for 2025–26 and will grow by up to 4% annually over ten years.

The rules changed significantly in 2025 and are still evolving. What you need to know depends on your division and your situation. Start here.

DI
Division I
Revenue sharing active. Up to $20.5M per school
All third-party deals $600+ must be reported through NIL Go within 5 business days
Deals reviewed for valid business purpose and market-rate compensation
No verbal or written guarantees of third-party NIL from schools (as of July 1, 2025)
Pre-enrollment NIL negotiations now permitted
Transfer portal athletes must report deals from the moment they enter the portal
Ghost transfer rule (Apr 2026): Transfer portal entry required before any athlete can participate. Violation triggers automatic penalties: 50% coach suspension + 20% sport budget fine. Effective Feb. 25, 2026.
FTC disclosure rules apply to all sponsored social content
DII
Division II
NIL is permitted — no revenue sharing under the House settlement (DI only)
No NIL Go reporting requirement unless transferring to a DI institution
Must follow state NIL law where your school is located
Only ~22% of DII schools have a formal NIL policy. Check with your compliance office
Local brand deals, social media, camps and clinics are primary pathways
Pay-for-play and recruiting inducements remain prohibited
DIII
Division III
NIL is permitted. No athletic scholarships at DIII level
No NIL Go reporting requirement
State law and school policy govern. No uniform national framework
NIL activity compliant with state law does not affect eligibility
DIII schools have limited NIL infrastructure. Most lack dedicated NIL staff
Community partnerships and digital platforms are the main NIL pathways

NIL Go is the CSC's online clearinghouse, built with Deloitte, where all DI athletes submit third-party NIL deals of $600 or more for review before or shortly after signing. You get access when you register at your DI institution.

Step 1 — Submit the deal Upload a PDF of the agreement (even unsigned) and provide details about the paying party. If the company isn't in the system, they will receive an invitation to register.
Step 2 — Three-part review NIL Go evaluates every deal on: (1) Payor Association — the business's relationship to your school; (2) Valid Business Purpose. Does the deal promote a real product or service?; (3) Range of Compensation — is the pay fair for your market value?
Step 3 — Result Cleared (green). You are good to proceed. Flagged for Review (yellow) — sent for additional CSC evaluation. Not Cleared (red) — the deal fails the review; you may adjust and resubmit, or request neutral arbitration.
Critical reminder Do not post about or activate a deal before it is cleared. Promotion before clearance puts your eligibility at risk. Report early, not after the fact.

Access NIL Go and learn more at the College Sports Commission NIL page.

Every state has its own NIL laws, and you must follow the law where your school is located. Not where you grew up. State laws vary widely on disclosure timelines, prohibited deal categories, agent licensing, and school involvement. NCAA policy applies on top of, not instead of, your state's law.

Common themes across state laws include: mandatory disclosure of contracts to your school, prohibitions on deals involving alcohol, gambling, cannabis, adult entertainment, or tobacco, and requirements that deal terms not conflict with your institution's existing contracts.

For a full breakdown of NIL law in your state, visit the NIL Network State Laws Directory. As of early 2026, no single federal NIL statute has been enacted. Congress is still debating the SAFE Act and SCORE Act. So state-by-state differences remain active.

The Federal Trade Commission actively monitors NIL-related social media content. If you are being paid to promote a product or brand, you must clearly disclose that relationship in every post. This is federal law. Not just a guideline. And violations can result in penalties for both you and the brand.

Required disclosures Use clear labels: #ad, #sponsored, or #partner. The disclosure must be prominent. Not buried in a string of hashtags or visible only when expanded.
Applies to all platforms Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, Twitch, podcasts. Every format and channel where you promote a brand for compensation requires disclosure.
Your NIL contract should include this Any reputable brand contract will have an FTC compliance clause requiring you to disclose. If it doesn't, add it before signing.

KNOW YOUR SCHOOL'S NUMBERS

The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) requires every college receiving federal financial aid to publicly report athletics budgets, participation numbers, scholarships, and coach salaries by sport and gender. It is public federal data. You have a right to see it.

Look up your school at ope.ed.gov/athletics ↗

Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education. "Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA)." ope.ed.gov/athletics. Federal public resource, no account required. Accessed April 2026.

Every college athlete. Regardless of division, sport, or school size — has access to at least one of these three compensation sources. What's available to you depends on your division. Know what applies to your situation.

01
ATHLETIC AID

DI & DII: Athletic scholarships covering tuition, room and board, books, and related expenses — full or partial depending on sport and school. Under the House settlement, athletes on financial aid cannot have that aid reduced due to roster limit changes.

DIII: No athletic scholarships. But need-based financial aid and merit scholarships are available and often substantial at private DIII schools.

NAIA: Athletic aid available at DI and DII NAIA levels — governed by the institution, not a central body.

JUCO: Athletic scholarships available — varies by school and sport.

02
SCHOOL REVENUE SHARE

DI only. Direct payments from your institution under the House v. NCAA settlement. Schools that opt in can distribute up to $20.5 million annually across their athletic programs. Payments must be documented in signed agreements, uploaded to CAPS within five business days, and are tied to your eligibility status.

DII, DIII, NAIA, JUCO: This source does not apply. The House settlement is a DI framework only. These divisions have their own separate NIL rules and no equivalent direct school payment structure at this time.

03
THIRD-PARTY NIL DEALS

Every division. Every sport. Every athlete. Endorsements, appearances, social media campaigns, camps and clinics, merchandise, licensing — arranged with brands, local businesses, collectives, or individual sponsors.

DI: Deals of $600+ must be reported through NIL Go within 5 business days.

DII & DIII: Follow your state's NIL law and your school's policy. No NIL Go requirement unless transferring to DI.

NAIA: Follow NAIA framework and your school's institutional policy.

You don't need to be at a Power 4 school to earn NIL. Athletes at every level are making it work.

NIL collectives are third-party organizations. Typically funded by alumni, fans, and donors. That pool money and arrange paid opportunities for athletes at specific schools. They operate independently from universities and have played a major role since 2021.

With the arrival of direct revenue sharing in 2025, the landscape for collectives has shifted significantly. Schools are now competing directly for that fundraising attention, and many donor contributions that previously flowed to collectives are being redirected to help schools meet their revenue sharing obligations.

Critically, Deloitte data shared with athletic directors shows that approximately 70% of the payment structures common in pre-2025 collectives. Essentially pay-for-attendance arrangements — would fail the CSC's valid business purpose review today. Collectives must now structure deals around real commercial deliverables: appearances, promotions, social media campaigns, autograph signings with a genuine promotional purpose.

Collectives are not going away. Athletes at participating programs can still draw from all three compensation sources simultaneously. However, the deals must be structured correctly and submitted through NIL Go for review.

To find your school's collective or explore options: Business of College Sports Collective Tracker · NIL-NCAA Collectives Overview

All NIL compensation. Whether from third-party deals, collectives, or school revenue sharing — is taxable income. This includes payments in cash and non-cash benefits such as free products, gift cards, housing subsidies, or car leases above fair market value.

1099 forms If a company or collective pays you $600 or more in a tax year, they are required to issue a 1099 form. No taxes are withheld from these payments. You are responsible for paying them yourself.
Set aside 20–30% A general guideline is to set aside 20–30% of NIL income for federal and state taxes. The exact amount depends on your total income and tax situation.
Business expenses may be deductible Equipment, software, travel required for NIL work, and professional service fees may be deductible. Keep all receipts and records.
Consult a professional NIL tax situations are genuinely complex. Use the NIL Assist platform to find vetted tax advisors experienced with athlete income.

Tax education: National Collegiate Athletic Association — NIL Assist. “Education Library.” nilassist.ncaa.org. Free resource for enrolled DI athletes. Accessed April 2026.

The intersection of NIL and Title IX is one of the most active and unresolved legal areas in college sports right now. Every athlete. Regardless of gender — should understand where things stand.

The gap is real As of 2024, data shared by schools showed male athletes out-earning female athletes $92 million to $19 million in NIL compensation. Over 60% of NIL deals flow to football, men's basketball, and baseball.
Biden guidance — January 2025 The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights issued guidance stating that school revenue sharing constitutes "athletic financial assistance" and must comply with Title IX's equal opportunity requirements.
Trump administration rescinded that guidance — February 2025 The current administration reversed the Biden guidance, stating Title IX does not require proportional distribution of NIL revenue between male and female athletes.
House settlement appeal pending A group of female student-athletes appealed the House v. NCAA settlement to the 9th Circuit, arguing the back-pay formula pays male athletes approximately 90% more than female athletes, which they argue is an unlawful gender disparity. This figure is the appellants’ legal argument, not an independently verified statistic. The appeal was pending as of April 2026.
Third-party NIL is different Title IX applies to institutions receiving federal funding. Not to independent brands, collectives, or third parties negotiating directly with athletes. The commercial marketplace is driven by brand value, not school policy.
What this means for you The commercial NIL market is real for every sport. Women's basketball, gymnastics, and volleyball athletes are among the highest individual NIL earners in college sports. Your earning potential is not limited by the institutional gap. Build your brand and access the marketplace directly.

Resources: U.S. Department of Education. “Title IX.” TitleIX.gov · National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). “Title IX Resources.” NCAA.org · Opendorse Marketplace. opendorse.com (Commercial platform — widely used in college athletics for NIL data and deal tracking. Not a government or nonprofit source. Not affiliated with ATHLINKT. Verify figures independently.). Accessed April 2026.

Coaches advise recruits: know the difference between an NIL evaluation and revenue share. And understand that coaches are talking to other recruits at your position. That money is not there for long. Here is exactly what that means.

NIL Evaluation. Not a contract, not a guarantee When a coach tells you what you "could earn" in NIL, that is an evaluation. An estimate of your market value based on your position and profile. It is not binding. It is not signed. It carries no legal weight. If it is not documented as a formal signed agreement before you enroll, it does not exist.
Revenue Share. A formal contract from the school Revenue sharing is a direct payment from the school's athletic department under the House settlement. It must be a signed agreement, uploaded to the CAPS system, and tied to your enrollment and eligibility. This is a real contract with real terms. And the one coaches can actually commit to. Verify at collegesportscommission.org.
The cap is finite. And positions compete for it Schools distribute their $20.5M cap across every sport and every athlete. At most programs, 85–90% goes to football and men's and women's basketball. Every athlete a coach recruits at your position draws from the same limited pool. Offers are real. But first-come, first-served within a budget that does not expand.
The portal factor Coaches hold back cap space every year for the transfer portal. The number quoted in October can shrink by February because portal decisions consume budget your offer was drawing from. Revenue-sharing is now part of every recruiting and transfer decision. Additionally, as of April 1, 2026, the NCAA has teeth on ghost transfers — programs that add athletes outside the portal face automatic penalties. The portal is not optional for coaches or athletes. Source: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). “Name, Image and Likeness.” NCAA.org. Accessed April 2026.
Repayment clauses — read before you sign Revenue share and NIL agreements are contracts. Some include repayment clauses if you transfer or are injured. Always ask: what happens to this agreement if I transfer? What if I'm injured and cannot compete? Get those answers in writing. Source: National Collegiate Athletic Association — NIL Assist. “Contract Best Practices.” nilassist.ncaa.org. Free resource for DI athletes. Accessed April 2026.
The question to ask every coach "Is what you're describing a revenue share agreement that will be documented and signed before I enroll, or is this an NIL evaluation of what I might earn?" If they cannot answer that clearly, that is your answer. Review contract guidance at NCAA NIL Assist.

Every college athlete. At every division — can pursue NIL. Click any sport below to see the NIL landscape, deal types, and resources. Applies to NCAA (DI, DII, DIII), NAIA, and JUCO athletes.

NIL Landscape
Largest collective spending — Power 4 programs dominate
Revenue sharing heavily concentrated here at most DI schools
Major brand deals: apparel, food/beverage, automotive, financial
Social media reach drives commercial deal value significantly
DII/DIII players have access to commercial and local deals
NIL Landscape
Strong alignment with athletic footwear and apparel brands
Sports nutrition, supplement, and wellness brand partnerships common
Performance training and equipment deals growing
Olympic pipeline athletes attract significant brand attention
Active across all three divisions. Large total athlete pool
NIL Landscape
Baseball has climbed to third in collective compensation nationally
Softball scholarship limits expand 12 → 25 under new roster rules — more athletes in the NIL pool
Equipment, apparel, and sports training brands are core partners
Strong fan bases in certain regions create local deal value
Social media content around game day drives commercial interest
NIL Landscape
Growing rapidly in commercial NIL. Strong brand alignment with athletic lifestyle
Local and regional business partnerships are accessible entry points
Strong international athlete presence creates global brand appeal
Sports nutrition, footwear, and apparel are primary deal categories
Content creators in soccer have found significant social media audiences
NIL Landscape
Second only to football in commercial NIL compensation
Top earners in women's basketball now exceed the median WNBA salary
Major brands: Jordan Brand, Nike, adidas, Under Armour, national retailers
March Madness generates enormous exposure windows for active athletes
Revenue sharing most concentrated in men's basketball per roster spot
Strong social media following multiplies deal value significantly
NIL Landscape
Strong alignment with endurance, wellness, and nutrition brands
Athletic footwear companies actively recruit competitive distance runners
Lifestyle and outdoor brand partnerships available across all divisions
Training content on social media builds engaged niche audiences
Athletes with dedicated fitness/running audiences attract supplement brands
NIL Landscape
Growing NIL market — fitness, wellness, and health brand alignment is strong
Olympic pipeline athletes draw major brand attention pre-Games
Swimwear, training equipment, and performance tech brands are natural partners
Scholarship expansion in rowing (20 → 68 equivalencies) — similar structural changes benefit adjacent aquatic programs
Social media content around training, recovery, and competition builds audiences
NIL Landscape
Top earning volleyball players average nearly 90 commercial deals per year
One of the fastest-growing NIL sports for female athletes
Strong social media reach — large, engaged fan bases at major programs
Apparel, sports nutrition, athletic footwear, and lifestyle brands
Nebraska Volleyball Day (100,000+ attendance) shows market scale
Beach volleyball growing rapidly as a separate NIL category
NIL Landscape
Premium brand alignment — equipment, apparel, lifestyle, and automotive
Pro pipeline creates strong brand storytelling opportunities
Individual sport visibility — tournament coverage provides media exposure
NIL has helped retain top prospects who might otherwise turn pro early
Course appearances and instructional content deals are common
NIL Landscape
Racquet equipment, apparel, and court gear brands are natural partners
Individual visibility from match coverage creates personal brand moments
High-profile social media athletes in tennis have secured major brand deals
International athlete representation brings global brand exposure
Instructional content and clinics are strong local deal opportunities
NIL Landscape
Sport-specific equipment brands are primary partnership targets
Fast-growing fan base creates expanding commercial NIL opportunity
Strong DI and DIII presence — more athletes in the NIL pool than commonly recognized
East Coast regional market depth supports local business partnerships
PLL pro league creates pipeline storytelling for top prospects
NIL Landscape
Women's wrestling held its inaugural NCAA championship in 2025–26. New visibility driving NIL interest
Combat sports adjacent brands are active NIL partners
Strength and conditioning, nutrition, and recovery brands align naturally
Strong personal brand potential — individual athlete storytelling resonates
Loyal fan communities at program level support local deals
NIL Landscape
Some of the highest NIL deal volumes per athlete of any women's sport
TikTok and Instagram presence drives massive commercial brand interest
Apparel, beauty, lifestyle, and athletic brands actively seek gymnasts
Olympic pipeline athletes generate significant pre-Games interest
Competition content and training videos attract large, engaged audiences
NIL Landscape
Deep regional market strength in New England, upper Midwest, and Northeast
Equipment brands (skates, sticks, protective gear) are primary partners
NHL draft pipeline athletes draw significant pre-draft brand attention
Women's hockey growing — inaugural top-level championships increasing visibility
Loyal, passionate fan bases at program level support local business deals
NIL Landscape
Scholarship equivalency expanding dramatically — more athletes with stronger institutional ties
Endurance sport alignment with nutrition, wellness, and athletic gear brands
Olympic sport visibility — Games cycles create significant exposure windows
Training and lifestyle content builds strong niche social media audiences
Large team rosters mean more total athletes in the NIL marketplace
NIL Landscape
Sport-specific equipment partnerships are the primary entry point
Strong DI presence in Northeast — regional market depth supports local deals
Olympic sport alignment drives visibility in non-traditional media cycles
Athleisure and wellness brands increasingly targeting female athlete audiences
Mid-major programs are finding NIL success through community partnerships
NIL Landscape
Water Polo — NCAA championship since 2000. Niche but growing brand deal access through athletic and wellness brands.
Fencing — Established NCAA championship. Equipment and training brands are primary NIL partners.
Skiing — NCAA championship sport. Apparel, outdoor, and equipment brands actively seek ski athletes.
Rifle — NCAA championship sport. Specialized equipment and brand partnerships available.
Stunt — Voted NCAA championship January 2026. First championship spring 2027. NIL rights fully active now.
What Emerging Sports Means
Flag Football — Added to NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program January 2026. Needs 40 varsity programs to become a full championship. NIL rights are active now for all participating athletes.
Triathlon — Active NCAA emerging sport. Growing toward championship status. NIL rights are active for all competing athletes regardless of championship status.
Emerging sport status does not limit NIL eligibility. Any college athlete in any NCAA-affiliated sport can pursue NIL opportunities.

Not seeing your sport? That's because it's not yet verified NCAA Championship status. NIL rights still apply to all college athletes — learn more at ncaa.org.

Every athlete has a brand. Not every athlete knows how to protect it. Run through this checklist before engaging any NIL deal. And watch for the red flags.

Talk to your compliance office firstBefore you sign, before you verbally agree — run it by your school's compliance office. They exist to protect you. This step is not optional for DI athletes.
Understand exactly what you are agreeing toRead the deliverables section completely. How many posts? What type of content? By when? What approvals does the brand require? Vague deliverables create disputes.
Confirm it has a valid business purpose (DI)The brand must offer a real product or service to the public for profit, and your NIL must be genuinely used to promote it. If the deal looks like payment to stay at or go to a school, it will not clear NIL Go.
Verify the compensation is market-rateResearch comparable deals using the NCAA NIL Assist Data Dashboard and Opendorse. Compensation well above your market value is a red flag. It may indicate a hidden inducement.
Check for conflicts with team or school contractsDoes your school have an exclusive apparel deal? Does your deal involve a competing brand? Does it require using school logos or facilities without prior approval? Flag any of these before signing.
Plan for taxes before the money arrivesSet aside 20–30% of your NIL income. A 1099 means no tax was withheld. You will owe it at filing. Don't get caught short.
Submit through NIL Go before activating (DI)Report the deal to NIL Go within five business days of signing. Do not post, appear, or activate any promotion until the deal is cleared. Activation before clearance risks eligibility.
Include FTC disclosure language in social postsEvery sponsored post needs a clear disclosure — #ad, #sponsored, or #partner — prominently placed, not buried. Make this a habit, not an afterthought.
Keep records of everythingSave every contract, every payment, every deliverable you complete. Cleared deals in NIL Go create an audit trail. Your paper trail is your protection.
Verbal guarantees of NIL money tied to your school choiceIf someone is promising you NIL money to attend or stay at a specific school. And there is no real commercial deliverable attached. That is pay-for-play. It is prohibited and will not clear CSC review.
Compensation far above your market value with no clear reasonIf a deal pays dramatically more than comparable athletes earn and the justification is vague, that gap will draw scrutiny at NIL Go. High pay is not automatically a problem. But it needs a legitimate explanation.
No defined deliverables in the contractA contract that pays you but does not specify what you are doing in return is not an NIL deal. It is a payment. The CSC will reject it.
Pressure to sign quickly without reviewing the full termsLegitimate NIL partners give you time to review, consult your compliance office, and have an attorney look at the contract. Anyone rushing you to sign immediately deserves skepticism.
Exclusivity clauses you do not fully understandSome contracts restrict you from working with any competing brands for the duration. Know exactly what you are giving up. An overly broad exclusivity clause can block better opportunities down the road.

A plain-language educational template showing the core components of an NIL contract. Use this to understand what you should expect to see. And ask about. Before you sign anything real.

Important: This is an educational reference only. It is not a legal document and does not constitute legal advice. It does not account for your school's specific policies, your state's NIL laws, or current NCAA bylaws. Before signing any NIL contract, always consult your institution's compliance office and consider working with a licensed attorney.

Fill in the fields below, then print or save as PDF.
Section 1
PARTIES

This Name, Image, and Likeness Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into as of between ("Athlete"), a student-athlete at , and ("Company"), a organized under the laws of .

Section 2
NIL RIGHTS GRANTED

Athlete grants Company a non-exclusive, limited license to use Athlete's name, image, photograph, likeness, voice, and social media handles solely for the purposes described in Section 3 (Deliverables) during the Term of this Agreement. No other use is permitted without Athlete's prior written consent. This license does not grant Company any rights to use Athlete's institution's name, logo, marks, facilities, or uniform without separate written approval from the institution.

Section 3
DELIVERABLES

In exchange for the compensation described in Section 4, Athlete agrees to complete the following deliverables during the Term:

sponsored social media post(s) on , promoting , to be posted by

All social media content must include a clear disclosure of the sponsored relationship using the language: #ad or #sponsored, in compliance with FTC guidelines. Athlete retains creative control over content subject to Company's reasonable approval rights.

Section 4
COMPENSATION & PAYMENT

Company agrees to pay Athlete a total of for full and timely completion of all deliverables. Payment will be made via within days of . Athlete acknowledges that this compensation constitutes taxable income and is solely responsible for any applicable taxes.

Section 5
TERM

This Agreement commences on and terminates on , unless terminated earlier in accordance with Section 8.

Section 6
NCAA & COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS

Athlete represents that they have disclosed or will disclose this Agreement to their institution's compliance office and, if required by applicable NCAA bylaws, will report this Agreement through the NIL Go platform within the required timeframe. This Agreement shall not constitute or be used as a recruiting inducement. Compensation under this Agreement is tied solely to Athlete's NIL activities as specified herein and is in no way conditioned upon Athlete's enrollment at, continued attendance at, or athletic performance for any institution.

Section 7
FTC COMPLIANCE

Athlete agrees to comply with all applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines regarding endorsement disclosures. All content created under this Agreement that constitutes a sponsored endorsement must include a clear and conspicuous disclosure (e.g., #ad, #sponsored, or #partner) placed prominently within the content, not buried in hashtags or visible only upon expansion.

Section 8
TERMINATION

Either party may terminate this Agreement with days written notice. Company may terminate immediately if Athlete engages in conduct that materially damages Company's reputation. Athlete may terminate immediately if Company uses Athlete's NIL in a manner inconsistent with this Agreement or outside the scope of the granted license. In the event of termination, Company shall pay Athlete for deliverables completed prior to the termination date.

Section 9
GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of . Any disputes shall first be subject to good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, disputes may be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with applicable rules.

Section 10
SIGNATURES

By signing below, both parties confirm they have read, understood, and agreed to all terms of this Agreement.

Athlete

Company Representative

Every link below has been verified as of March 2026. Start with your school's compliance office. Every other resource is a supplement to that conversation, not a replacement for it.

Commercial platforms noted above (Opendorse, On3 NIL Deal Tracker, NIL Newsstand) are widely used in college athletics for NIL data and deal tracking. They are not government or nonprofit sources and are not affiliated with ATHLINKT. Verify figures independently before relying on them. Accessed April 2026.

Official Policy NCAA NIL Main Page Official NCAA resource covering what is allowed, reporting requirements, and FAQs for all divisions. Commercial platform — widely used in college athletics for NIL data and deal tracking. Not a government or nonprofit source. Not affiliated with ATHLINKT. Verify figures independently. Commercial platform — widely used in college athletics for NIL data and deal tracking. Not a government or nonprofit source. Not affiliated with ATHLINKT. Verify figures independently. Commercial platform — widely used in college athletics for NIL data and deal tracking. Not a government or nonprofit source. Not affiliated with ATHLINKT. Verify figures independently. ↗ ncaa.org Enforcement & Clearance College Sports Commission The independent body overseeing NIL compliance under the House settlement. Access NIL Go here. ↗ collegesportscommission.org Free Education NCAA NIL Assist — Education Free education library covering taxes, contracts, personal branding, social media, and more. Built for athletes. ↗ nilassist.ncaa.org Market Data NIL Assist Data Dashboard Public dashboard showing average and median NIL deal values, filterable by sport, position, and division. ↗ nilassist.ncaa.org Brand Deals Opendorse Marketplace NIL marketplace where athletes connect with brands. Searchable by sport. Open to all divisions. Commercial platform — widely used in college athletics for NIL data and deal tracking. Not a government or nonprofit source. Not affiliated with ATHLINKT. Verify figures independently. ↗ opendorse.com Deal Tracking On3 NIL Deal Tracker Live tracker of reported NIL deals across all NCAA divisions, sports, and schools. Updated continuously. Commercial platform — widely used in college athletics for NIL data and deal tracking. Not a government or nonprofit source. Not affiliated with ATHLINKT. Verify figures independently. ↗ on3.com Deal Tracking NIL Newsstand Deal Tracker Weekly updated NIL deal recap covering verified partnerships by athlete, brand, and school. Commercial platform — widely used in college athletics for NIL data and deal tracking. Not a government or nonprofit source. Not affiliated with ATHLINKT. Verify figures independently. ↗ nilnewsstand.com Collectives Directory College Sports Collective Tracker University-specific NIL collective directory tracking organizations by school. Find your program's collective. ↗ businessofcollegesports.com State Laws NIL Laws by State Full breakdown of active state-level NIL legislation, organized state by state. Know the law where your school is located. ↗ ncsl.org Service Providers NIL Assist — Find a Provider Registry of vetted NIL service providers including tax advisors, attorneys, marketing agents, and financial experts. ↗ nilassist.ncaa.org Rules Reference NIL Rules 2026 — Updated Guide Comprehensive, independently maintained NIL rules guide for athletes, families, and coaches. Updated March 2026. ↗ ncaa.org House Settlement College Athlete Compensation Official House v. NCAA settlement site. If you competed in DI from 2016 forward, check your eligibility for back-pay claims. ↗ collegesportscommission.org

YOUR FIRST CALL IS TO YOUR COMPLIANCE OFFICE.Every resource on this page is an educational supplement. The person who knows your school's specific policies, your conference rules, and your state's law is your compliance officer. They are there to help you. Not penalize you for asking. Use them before you sign anything, before you verbally commit to anything, and before you activate any deal.

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