Name, Image, and Likeness is an opportunity for all collegiate athletes. It’s not just for Division I athletes or Power Five Universities, but for athletes of all levels of college athletics. The main issue that keeps athletes (and businesses!) from participating in NIL is a lack of knowledge of HOW to get involved.
First: Communicate with your university compliance department! Compliance is your first stop for understanding state law and university policies concerning NIL. Since NIL laws vary from state to state, it’s important to know and follow your state’s laws, including when and how to disclose your NIL activities to your university compliance department, as well as any prohibited endorsements (such as alcohol or tobacco products). Communicating with your compliance department can be incredibly helpful for college athletes, especially in ensuring your NIL activities don’t conflict with state law or university policies.
Second: Build up your social media presence! So much of NIL is conducted through social media. This is one of the biggest ways businesses find college athletes they want to work with. This isn’t to say that you need millions of followers to get an NIL deal – it’s about engagement. Start posting and engaging with your followers! Share your interests and hobbies, and show what’s unique about YOU. If you frequent certain shops or restaurants (especially locally owned!), tag them in your posts! Keep track of the amount of views, likes, and comments you get on these posts – and VOILA! You’ve got a great bargaining chip in getting a deal started.
In addition, make sure you utilize any marketing platforms that have partnered with your university athletics department, such as Opendorse. These are another great way for potential sponsors to find college athletes to work with. Personalize your profile by adding photos, interests, hobbies, and any accolades or accomplishments you’ve earned!
Third: Think outside of the box. Social media is a huge part of NIL activities, but it’s not the only thing you can do! NIL activities can include public appearances, such as autograph signing, photo ops, commercials or print ads. You can also have lessons, camps, or clinics, where businesses can become sponsors. There have also been NIL deals where businesses or companies become sponsors for a college athlete’s small business, such as a landscaping business or clothing line! The opportunities are endless.
Finally: Be confident. Don’t be afraid to reach out to businesses yourself. The worst they can say is “no.” Practice how to pitch yourself to businesses and brands. Make sure potential sponsors know why THEY should want to work with YOU.
It’s also important to note that although NIL can be incredibly informal, with so many deals created in the DMs on social media, there can be a lot of risk and miscommunication. This is where consulting a lawyer can help. Having a lawyer draft a contract for your NIL deal can help mitigate risks, such as in the case that one side does not fulfill their side of the deal. Lawyers can also help ensure that your NIL activities are following state law.
Remember: NIL isn’t just about financial gain, but developing your personal brand as both a person AND an athlete. You’re also learning important life skills that will help you in the future, so go out there and get started!
This article is for educational and entertainment purposes only. This is not legal advice and should not be relied on as such. Consult a licensed professional in your state.