A Student-Athlete’s Checklist from NILAgentDirectory.com

Choosing a NIL agent is a serious decision. This person may speak on your behalf, manage your deals, and influence your brand and earnings. Don’t just sign the first offer that comes your way—ask smart questions, listen closely to the answers, and trust your gut.

Here’s a checklist of 20+ essential questions every student-athlete should ask before signing with a NIL agent:

1. Are you a licensed or certified agent?

• Are you registered with any state agencies, athlete commissions, or universities?
• Do you hold any credentials (e.g., MBA, JD, CPA, CFP)?

2. How long have you been representing athletes?

• How many NIL clients do you currently represent?
• Can you share examples of past or current deals you’ve negotiated?

3. Do you specialize in NIL, or do you also represent pro athletes, influencers, or entertainers?

• How is your NIL strategy different from those other spaces?

4. What services do you offer beyond contract negotiation?

• Do you help with brand strategy, business formation, social media growth, content creation, etc.?

5. Who will actually manage my day-to-day?

• Will I work with you directly or someone on your team?
• What’s your communication style and response time?

6. Do you have a marketing or brand strategy for me?

• What kinds of brands do you think I’d be a good fit for?
• How would you pitch me to potential partners?

7. How do you find opportunities for your clients?

• Do you proactively pitch athletes to brands, or do you wait for brands to reach out?

8. What are your fees?

• Is your commission percentage negotiable?
• Are there any upfront costs, monthly retainers, or hidden fees?

9. Will you take a cut of every deal, even ones I bring in myself?

• If I already have a brand relationship, do you still get a commission?

10. Do you offer contract review and legal protection?

• Do you personally review contracts, or do you outsource that to an attorney?
• Who pays for that legal review?

11. Do you help with taxes, compliance, or business formation?

• Can you help me set up an LLC or S-Corp?
• Do you work with CPAs who understand NIL income?

12. How do you handle conflicts of interest?

• What if another one of your clients is offered the same deal as me?

13. How do you ensure my eligibility with my school and the NCAA?

• Are you familiar with the NIL rules at my university, conference, and state?
• Have any of your clients ever lost eligibility because of a deal?

14. What happens if I want to end our agreement early?

• Is there a cancellation clause?
• How much notice do I need to give?

15. How long is the contract you want me to sign?

• Is it month-to-month, annual, or multi-year?
• Are there any exclusivity clauses?

16. Can I see the contract now before committing?

• Will you give me time to have it reviewed by my own advisor, attorney, or parent?

17. Can you provide references from other athletes you’ve worked with?

• May I speak with any of your current or former clients?

18. How do you measure success for your clients?

• What are your short-term and long-term goals for me?

19. What’s your process for dispute resolution if something goes wrong?

• How do you handle disagreements or misunderstandings?

20. Do you require exclusivity across all categories?

• Can I work with other agents for specific types of deals (e.g., social media vs. camps)?

21. What platforms or tools do you use to manage my brand and deals?

• Will I have access to a portal, dashboard, or tracking system?

22. Do you have experience working with athletes like me—my sport, background, or market size?

• Have you helped athletes from non-revenue sports or small schools succeed?

Final Tip: Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away

If an agent can’t—or won’t—answer these questions clearly and confidently, that’s a red flag. Remember, you’re the CEO of your personal brand. A good agent works for you, not the other way around.

Want to compare agents side-by-side?
Visit www.NILAgentDirectory.com to explore verified profiles, read athlete reviews, and find the right partner to support your NIL journey.