🏆 The NIL Standard
I am a:

Stop Getting Taken Advantage
of in the NIL Era

NIL attorneys charge hundreds per review. One bad contract can cost an athlete far more. NIL Protect delivers expert-level contract analysis, deal guidance, and straight answers for $9.99/month — so every athlete and family can afford to get it right.

$2.5B+NIL market in 2026
59%athletes earned less than expected
58%wish they'd read contracts before signing
$9.99per month, cancel anytime

Everything Athletes & Families Need

No other platform gives you this level of NIL knowledge — at any price.

Built by the People Who've Seen It All

NIL Protect wasn't built by app developers or influencers. It was built by practitioners — people who have spent years inside D1 athletic departments, negotiated nine-figure contracts, advised NFL players and agents, and watched too many college athletes get taken advantage of. We built this because no platform existed that put athletes first at a price they could actually afford.

$100M+ in NIL & athlete contracts reviewed and negotiated
D1 athletic department & compliance program experience
NFL advisor & agent fee standards applied to every recommendation
5,000+ athletes surveyed annually on NIL deals and outcomes
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Athletic Department Veterans

Our team includes former Division I athletic directors and compliance officers who managed NIL programs from the inside — writing the policies, reviewing the contracts, and handling the disputes that schools never make public.

D1 Athletics
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NFL Advisors & Agent Network

We built NIL Protect's fee standards on the NFL model — where agents earn 3% on team money and 10–20% on sourced deals. Our NFL advisor network ensures every standard we set reflects what happens at the highest level of professional sports.

Pro Sports Standards
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NIL Collective Operators

We have operated D1 NIL collectives — distributed payments, structured agreements, and watched what happens when contracts go wrong. The red flags we flag aren't theoretical. They're things we've personally seen destroy deals and careers.

Collective Experience
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Contract & Legal Expertise

Our contract analysis draws on real NIL case law — including the Sorsby exit fee case, Jay Arnesen's documented athlete cases, and the House v. NCAA settlement implications. We know which clauses are dangerous because we've negotiated them out.

Contract Law
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NIL Research & Data

We synthesize monthly data from 5,000+ college athletes and 1,000+ high school prospects on deal experiences, agent relationships, and NIL outcomes. Our guidance is built on what athletes are actually experiencing — not what brands want you to believe.

Research-Backed
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High School Through Pro

We cover every level — from high school freshmen building their brand to D1 stars navigating the portal to post-eligibility athletes protecting earnings. Our team has advised athletes at every stage, and our platform reflects that full-spectrum experience.

All Levels
"We built NIL Protect because we were tired of watching athletes sign contracts that took advantage of them — contracts with perpetuity clauses, clawbacks, and agent fees that would embarrass anyone in the NFL. The knowledge to protect yourself has always existed. We just made it available to everyone, not just the athletes who can afford a $500/hr attorney."
— The NIL Protect Team

Ask Anything. Get a Real Answer.

1 free question — no account required. Subscribe for unlimited access.

New to NIL? Here's the 30-second explanation NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness — it's your child's legal right to earn money from their athletic reputation. Companies can pay them to appear in ads, post on social media, or endorse products. Since 2021, college and many high school athletes can earn this income. NIL Protect helps you understand contracts, spot bad deals, and protect your child from being taken advantage of.
NP

NIL Protect Expert

Updated nightly · Practitioner-level knowledge

Ask me anything about NIL — agent fees, contract clauses, the transfer portal, taxes, revenue sharing under the House settlement, or the new CSC compliance rules. I don't sugarcoat things.

You have 1 free question. Subscribe for unlimited access.

Upload Any NIL Contract

Clause-by-clause breakdown of risks and what to negotiate. 1 free review — subscribers get unlimited.

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Get your contract as a fileTake a photo with your phone, or ask whoever sent the contract to email you a PDF. Any format works — PDF, Word doc, or photo.
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Upload it belowTap "Choose File" and select your contract from your phone or computer. It stays private — only you see it.
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We flag every problemIn about 30 seconds, you'll get a plain-English breakdown of every risky clause, what it means, and exactly what to push back on.
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Score Your NIL Deal

Is your deal fair, questionable, or predatory? Enter the details and find out instantly.

New to deal scoring? Enter what you know about the offer and we'll instantly tell you if the terms are fair, below standard, or a red flag. You don't need to understand every term — just fill in what you have.
What kind of deal is this? If you're not sure, pick "Brand Deal."
What % of the deal is your agent keeping? Enter 0 if no agent.
Total dollar amount of the deal (before agent fees).
How long does the deal last?
Can your child still do deals with similar companies during this contract?
After the deal ends, how long can they keep using your child's name/photo?

Know Your NIL Tax Bill Before It Hits

NIL income is self-employment income — the IRS treats you like a business. Calculate your federal tax, self-employment tax, state tax, and quarterly payment schedule instantly.

Your NIL Income

⚠️ This is an estimate for planning purposes only — not tax advice. Consult a CPA for your actual return.

Your Estimate
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Enter your NIL income on the left to see your estimated tax breakdown and quarterly payment schedule.

What's Your NIL Score?

Tell us about yourself and your social presence. Our AI will score you 0–100 and give you a custom roadmap to grow your NIL value — from high school all the way through D1.

Your score is generated by AI using current NIL market data. Results appear below — separate from the Expert Chat.

NIL "Make Whole" Calculator

How much NIL does the program need to supply so the athlete never comes out of pocket? Enter the school and scholarship details — we handle the tax gross-up math.

0%25%50%75%100%
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Select a school and scholarship details above to see exactly how much NIL is needed to make the athlete financially whole.

Important: Figures use 2024–25 published Cost of Attendance data and estimated tax rates. COA figures should be verified with the institution. Tax calculations are estimates — athletes should consult a tax professional. NIL income is subject to self-employment tax (15.3%) plus federal and state income tax.

NIL Questions Athletes & Families Ask Most

Plain answers to the NIL questions that cost athletes thousands when they don't know the answer.

What is NIL and how does it work for college athletes?
NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness — the right of college athletes to earn money from their personal brand. Since the NCAA changed its rules in July 2021, college athletes can sign endorsement deals, accept sponsorships, run camps, sell autographs, and partner with brands without losing eligibility. High school athletes in most states can now participate as well. NIL Protect helps athletes review every deal before they sign to ensure fair terms and full legal protection.
What should I look for when reviewing an NIL contract?
The five most critical clauses in any NIL contract: (1) Exclusivity — how broad and how long it locks you out of competing brands. (2) IP rights — whether the company gets perpetual or time-limited use of your image. (3) Agent fees — standard is 10–20%, anything higher needs justification. (4) Deliverables — exactly what you must post, appear at, or produce. (5) Termination terms — can you exit if the brand damages your reputation? NIL Protect's contract scanner flags all five automatically.
Do college athletes pay taxes on NIL income?
Yes. NIL income is self-employment income — meaning you pay federal tax, state tax, and an additional 15.3% self-employment tax on top. On $30,000 in NIL earnings, most athletes owe $8,000–$12,000 depending on their state. The safest practice: set aside 30% of every NIL payment the moment it hits your account. NIL Protect's free tax calculator estimates your bill based on your state, income, and filing status so you're never caught off guard.
How much do NIL agents charge, and is it worth it?
NIL agents typically charge 10–25% of deal value. On a $50,000 deal, a 20% fee is $10,000 out of your pocket. Whether it's worth it depends entirely on what the agent brings: brand access, negotiation leverage, and real deal flow. Many athletes overpay agents who simply forward opportunities anyone could find. NIL Protect's Agent Fee Auditor benchmarks your agent's rate against market norms so you know exactly what you're paying for — and whether it's worth it.
Can high school athletes sign NIL deals?
Yes — in over 40 states, high school athletes are permitted to sign NIL deals. Rules vary: some states require school approval, some limit deal types, some have age restrictions. A bad NIL deal at 16 or 17 can create college eligibility complications that follow you. NIL Protect helps high school athletes and their parents understand state-specific rules and scans every deal before signature so there are no surprises when college recruiting begins.
What is an NIL collective?
An NIL collective is a group of fans, alumni, or business donors who pool money to pay athletes for NIL activities — social posts, appearances, community events. Collectives operate independently from the school and have their own contracts with performance clauses, revocation terms, and deliverable requirements that differ from standard brand deals. NIL Protect's contract scanner handles collective agreements the same way it handles brand deals — flagging unfavorable terms before you sign.
What is an NIL Readiness Score?
Your NIL Readiness Score measures how prepared you are to enter — or level up in — the NIL marketplace. NIL Protect evaluates six dimensions: brand presence, deal history, contract literacy, financial preparedness, eligibility awareness, and risk exposure. You receive a score out of 100 plus a personalized report identifying exactly where to improve before your next deal. Athletes with higher readiness scores consistently negotiate better terms.
Is NIL Protect the most trusted NIL guidance platform?
NIL Protect was built by a team with experience across athletic departments, NFL advisory networks, NIL collectives, and legal analysis — people who have been on every side of the NIL transaction. Unlike agencies and agents who earn commissions on deals, NIL Protect has no financial stake in your decisions. We provide contract scanning, deal scoring, tax estimation, readiness scoring, and expert Q&A for $9.99/month — because every athlete deserves the guidance that used to cost $500/hour.

NIL Education Library

→ 5 NIL Contract Red Flags → NIL Agent Fee Guide → NIL Tax Guide for Athletes → NIL Contract Clauses Explained → High School NIL Guide → NIL Contract Review Guide → NIL Collectives Explained → What Is NIL? 📍 NIL Laws by State — All 50 States → About NILProtect

Built for Athletes, Not Attorney Bills

NIL attorneys charge $300–$500 per contract review. One overlooked clause can cost an athlete thousands — or their eligibility. NIL Protect delivers the same expert-level analysis, red flag detection, and deal guidance that schools and brands already have — for $9.99 a month. We are built to help student-athletes and families successfully navigate NIL at an affordable cost for all.

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Contract review without the $400/hr bill

Upload any NIL deal and get instant red flag identification — perpetuity clauses, exclusivity traps, missing kill fees, vague deliverables — flagged and explained in plain language before you sign.

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Education is the real protection

Athletes who understand their deals negotiate better than most paid advisors. NIL Protect teaches you exactly what you're signing — so no one can take advantage of what you don't know.

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The playing field is now level

Every institution and brand already has expert NIL counsel. Now every athlete and family does too — at a price built for the athlete, not the institution.

Free

$0

Experience professional-grade NIL guidance — no credit card needed.

  • 2 NIL Expert chat questions
  • 1 contract red flag review
  • 1 deal score
  • Public NIL guides
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