Key Questions to Ask Before Signing with an Agent

Choosing the right NIL agent is one of the most important decisions a student-athlete can make. The right representative can help you unlock opportunities, protect your eligibility, and build a sustainable brand. The wrong one can leave you tied to unfair contracts, financial risk, or compliance trouble. Here’s a guide to evaluating agents and the questions you should ask before signing.

Why It Matters

An NIL agent isn’t just a middleman for deals—they become part of your financial, legal, and personal ecosystem. They’ll interact with brands, compliance officers, and sometimes even your family. That means trust, transparency, and alignment are essential.

1) Questions About Experience

  • How long have you been representing athletes in NIL or sports marketing?
  • Which athletes have you worked with, and can you share examples of past deals?
  • Do you have relationships with brands in my sport or market?
  • Have you worked with athletes at my level (high school, D1, D2, NAIA, etc.)?

2) Questions About Services

  • Do you actively source deals, or only manage those that come to me?
  • What specific services do you provide—negotiation, contract review, content strategy, compliance support, brand building?
  • Will you coordinate with my school’s compliance office, CPA, or attorney?
  • How do you help me with long-term brand growth, not just one-off deals?

3) Questions About Compliance

  • How do you stay up to date on NCAA, state, and school NIL rules?
  • Will you help file disclosures and ensure I stay eligible?
  • Do you understand conflicts with team sponsors and school policies?
  • Have you worked with international student-athletes and visa restrictions?

4) Questions About Fees & Transparency

  • What is your commission rate, and when do you get paid?
  • Are there any upfront fees, retainers, or hidden costs?
  • Do you take commission on all deals, or only those you bring in?
  • Will I get a detailed accounting of payments and expenses? How often?

5) Questions About Contracts

  • How long is your representation agreement? Is there an auto-renewal clause?
  • What happens if I want to terminate the relationship?
  • Do you require exclusivity for all NIL opportunities, or only certain categories?
  • Will I own the rights to my content, name, and brand after deals end?

6) Questions About Communication & Fit

  • How often will we communicate (weekly, monthly, as needed)?
  • Who on your team will I be dealing with day-to-day?
  • What’s your preferred communication style (text, email, calls)?
  • How do you handle conflicts if I disagree with a recommendation?

7) Questions About Ethics & Protection

  • Do you ever represent both the athlete and the brand in the same deal?
  • How do you protect me from predatory contracts or scams?
  • Will you refer me to outside professionals (lawyer, CPA, wealth manager) when needed?
  • What’s your policy if a brand doesn’t pay on time?

Red Flags to Watch Out For

  • Pressure to sign immediately without reviewing the contract.
  • Vague answers about past experience or current clients.
  • No willingness to work with your compliance office or other professionals.
  • Demands for ownership of your intellectual property (IP) or social media accounts.
  • High upfront fees without a clear breakdown of services.

Rule of Thumb

If an agent can’t clearly explain how they will help you, how they’ll get paid, and how they’ll keep you compliant—keep looking. You’re the CEO of your brand, and your agent should act like a trusted advisor, not a gatekeeper.

Call to Action

On NIL Agent Directory, you can:

  • Compare agents side by side.
  • Read reviews from other athletes.
  • Search by sport, location, and services.
  • Contact agents directly to ask these key questions.

Start your search today—the right NIL agent will help you maximize your opportunities, protect your eligibility, and set up your long-term success.