---
title: "What the SEC’s Proposed NIL Fines Mean for Athletes"
url: https://jacobscounsellaw.com/blog/sec-proposed-nil-cap-fines-athletes
description: "The SEC is reportedly weighing fines on school roster spending. Here’s what athletes should check in school-linked NIL deals while current rules apply."
lang: en
---

Skip to main content

← Back to Blog (https://jacobscounsellaw.com/blog)

Image: What the SEC’s Proposed NIL Fines Mean for Athletes - NIL & Athlete Deals legal advice from Jacobs Counsel LLC (https://jacobscounsellaw.com/assets/blog-hero-athletes-CPzNVIHi.jpg)

NIL & Athlete Deals

# What the SEC’s Proposed NIL Fines Mean for Athletes

Published: November 12, 2026 | Updated: November 13, 2026

2 min read

By Andrew R. Jacobs, Esq. (https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about) | Founder & Managing Attorney, Jacobs Counsel LLC | Director, Sports, Entertainment & Gaming Initiatives, Seton Hall University School of Law | Super Lawyers Rising Star 2026

Quick answer

The reported SEC proposal would fine schools. Athletes with school-linked NIL deals should check who owes the money, what triggers payment and what the contract allows if the deal is reclassified or restructured.

📋 This article is part of our Athlete & NIL Representation practice → Learn about our athlete & nil representation services (https://jacobscounsellaw.com/clients/athletes)

If a school, a collective and a sponsor all helped put your NIL deal together, find the name of the party that owes you the money. That is the first place I would look if a school asks to restructure a deal because of a new spending policy.

## What the proposal could change

Yahoo Sports reported that the Southeastern Conference is considering fines for schools based on roster spending. Under the reported proposal, certain deals that route school revenue through a third party would count as institutional pay. As of November 13, the details still come from reporting, and the conference has yet to publish an adopted rule. Athletes should keep following the current College Sports Commission rules.

The House settlement’s audited 2026–27 benefits cap is $21,583,913 per participating school. The Big Ten separately announced a $27.5 million limit on school involvement in arranging third-party deals, with about $49 million in combined institutional involvement. Its rule leaves athletes free to pursue deals independently and keeps existing NIL Go requirements in place.

In August, Judge Claudia Wilken upheld the special master’s refusal to exempt multimedia-rights companies and brand sponsors as a group and sent the dispute over how the Commission investigates those deals back to him. For athletes, that makes the source of the money and each party’s role worth documenting.

📥 Free Download: NIL and Revenue Sharing Guide

Understand school payments, outside NIL deals and the contract questions that affect an athlete’s earnings.

Download Free Guide (https://jacobscounsellaw.com/resources/nil-athletes)

## What to read before you sign or amend a deal

- **Payment.** Who is obligated to pay, where does the money come from, and when is it due?
- **Clearance and changes.** Can a party delay or reduce payment, require a rewrite or end the deal if clearance or the funding arrangement changes?
- **Repayment and rights.** Would you owe money back? Can the sponsor keep using your name, image or likeness after a deal ends?

Keep the signed agreement and payment terms, including amendments, and follow the applicable NIL Go deadline. The general rule is to report third-party NIL deals worth $600 or more in the aggregate within five business days of signing or agreeing to payment terms. Some incoming athletes have different deadlines. Our guide to NIL Go and athlete contracts (https://jacobscounsellaw.com/blog/nil-go-deal-clearance-athlete-contracts-2026) covers how to handle clearance in the agreement.

## Sources

Yahoo Sports reporting on the SEC proposal: https://sports.yahoo.com/college-football/article/secs-proposed-cap-policy-would-penalize-big-spending-schools-7-million-this-year-232342944.html
·
Joint House cap audit, September 1: https://www.hbsslaw.com/cases/ncaa-student-athlete-name-image-and-likeness
·
Big Ten rule: https://bigten.org/news/2026/10/28/general-big-ten-prepares-for-protect-college-sports-act-economic-framework.aspx
·
Wilken’s August 4 order: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17248915/1144/in-re-college-athlete-nil-litigation/
·
College Sports Commission reporting guidance: https://www.collegesportscommission.org/guidance-memo/third-party-nil-deals-revenue-share-reminder-april-7-2026/

**Legal Disclaimer:** This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary by jurisdiction and may change over time. You should consult counsel about your specific facts before making legal or business decisions.

Drew Jacobs — Founder & Managing Attorney, Jacobs Counsel LLC (https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs)

About the Author

Andrew R. Jacobs, Esq. (https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs)

Founder & Managing Attorney at Jacobs Counsel LLC. Director of Sports, Entertainment & Gaming Initiatives at Seton Hall Law. Super Lawyers Rising Star 2026. Licensed in NY, NJ & OH.

Read full bio → (https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs)

Related on NIL & College Athlete Compensation

## Cornerstone guides and services

In-Depth Guide

### NIL Revenue Share Guide (Explainer)

How the NCAA House settlement and 22% revenue share works for college athletes.

Read: NIL Revenue Share Guide (Explainer)
https://jacobscounsellaw.com/nil-revenue-share-guide

Related Guide

### Athlete Business Playbook

From college NIL deals to retirement: structuring your athlete business.

Read: Athlete Business Playbook
https://jacobscounsellaw.com/college-athlete-revenue-share-retired-pro-business

Service & Pricing

### Media & NIL Licensing Services

NIL contract review, deal negotiation, and brand licensing — fixed-fee scopes.

Read: Media & NIL Licensing Services
https://jacobscounsellaw.com/services/media-nil

🏆

Found this helpful?

#### NIL and Revenue Sharing Guide

Get Free Guide (https://jacobscounsellaw.com/resources/nil-athletes)

## Related Articles

NIL & Athlete Deals

### Why NIL Go Has Not Cleared $156.93 Million in Deals—and What Athletes Should Do

NIL Go reported $156.93 million in deals not cleared. Learn what that means f…
https://jacobscounsellaw.com/blog/nil-go-deal-clearance-athlete-contracts-2026

NIL & Athlete Deals

### What Changed for NIL Deals and Collectives in 2026?

A practical look at the 2026 NIL landscape: the House settlement, the Protect…
https://jacobscounsellaw.com/blog/what-changed-for-nil-deals-and-collectives-in-2026

NIL & Athlete Deals

### How to Choose an NIL Attorney: Questions College Athletes Should Ask

How college athletes, families, collectives, and brands should evaluate NIL c…
https://jacobscounsellaw.com/blog/how-to-choose-nil-attorney-questions-college-athletes

## Keep Learning

More insights on NIL & Athlete Deals legal strategies

🏆

### NIL and Revenue Sharing Guide

NIL & Athlete Deals

• 3 min read

### Should You Sell Your House Settlement Claim?

An offer to buy your House settlement claim puts a number on what you can get in cash today.

October 13, 2026 Read
https://jacobscounsellaw.com/blog/selling-your-house-settlement-claim

NIL & Athlete Deals

• 6 min read

A signed NIL agreement and permission to perform it are different questions.

October 18, 2026 Read
https://jacobscounsellaw.com/blog/nil-go-deal-clearance-athlete-contracts-2026

### Enjoyed this article?

Get weekly legal insights delivered straight to your inbox. We keep it brief and useful.

About Court Vision Weekly: https://jacobscounsellaw.com/court-vision-weekly

### Need Legal Support?

We help high-performing creators, athletes, and founders protect their brands and build sustainable businesses.

VIEW ALL RESOURCES: https://jacobscounsellaw.com/resources

## Structured data

```json
[
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
      {
        "@type": [
          "Organization",
          "LegalService"
        ],
        "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/#organization",
        "name": "Jacobs Counsel LLC",
        "alternateName": "Jacobs Counsel",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com",
        "logo": {
          "@type": "ImageObject",
          "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/#logo",
          "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/logo-dark.jpg",
          "contentUrl": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/logo-dark.jpg",
          "caption": "Jacobs Counsel LLC"
        },
        "image": {
          "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/#logo"
        },
        "description": "Jacobs Counsel is a boutique law firm for ambitious businesses and the people behind them, providing ongoing outside counsel, contracts, transactions and brand protection, with focused experience in gaming, sports and entertainment. Andrew R. Jacobs is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey and Ohio.",
        "foundingDate": "2022",
        "address": [
          {
            "@type": "PostalAddress",
            "streetAddress": "85 Broad Street, Floor 18",
            "addressLocality": "New York",
            "addressRegion": "NY",
            "postalCode": "10004",
            "addressCountry": "US"
          },
          {
            "@type": "PostalAddress",
            "streetAddress": "221 River Street, Floor 9",
            "addressLocality": "Hoboken",
            "addressRegion": "NJ",
            "postalCode": "07030",
            "addressCountry": "US"
          },
          {
            "@type": "PostalAddress",
            "streetAddress": "127 Willow St., Floor 2",
            "addressLocality": "Cincinnati",
            "addressRegion": "OH",
            "postalCode": "45215",
            "addressCountry": "US"
          }
        ],
        "telephone": "+1-646-494-1502",
        "email": "intake@jacobscounsellaw.com",
        "areaServed": [
          {
            "@type": "State",
            "name": "New York"
          },
          {
            "@type": "State",
            "name": "New Jersey"
          },
          {
            "@type": "State",
            "name": "Ohio"
          }
        ],
        "sameAs": [
          "https://www.linkedin.com/company/jacobs-counsel-law",
          "https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/jacobs-counsel-llc",
          "https://www.instagram.com/jacobscounsel"
        ],
        "subOrganization": {
          "@type": "LegalService",
          "name": "Legacy Counsel by Jacobs Counsel LLC",
          "url": "https://jacobslegacycounsel.com/"
        },
        "knowsAbout": [
          "Outside Counsel for Companies",
          "Corporate Law",
          "Commercial Contracts",
          "Business Transactions",
          "Employment Law",
          "Intellectual Property",
          "Gaming Law",
          "Skill-based Gaming",
          "Sports Betting Regulation",
          "Sweepstakes and Promotional Gaming",
          "Multi-state Gaming Compliance",
          "AI Commercial Contracts",
          "SaaS Commercial Contracts",
          "Outside General Counsel",
          "Fractional General Counsel",
          "Technology Transactions",
          "Sports Law",
          "NIL Law",
          "Name Image and Likeness",
          "NCAA House v. NCAA Settlement",
          "College Athlete Representation",
          "Hospitality Law",
          "Liquor Licensing"
        ],
        "founder": {
          "@type": "Person",
          "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs#person",
          "name": "Andrew R. Jacobs, Esq.",
          "alternateName": "Drew Jacobs",
          "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs",
          "jobTitle": "Founder & Managing Attorney",
          "image": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/assets/drew-jacobs-headshot.jpg",
          "worksFor": {
            "@type": "LegalService",
            "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/#organization",
            "name": "Jacobs Counsel LLC",
            "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com"
          },
          "knowsAbout": [
            "Gaming law",
            "Sweepstakes and social casino compliance",
            "Skill-based gaming and predominance testing",
            "Sports betting and fantasy sports regulation",
            "Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) law",
            "College athlete revenue sharing",
            "Outside general counsel for technology and AI companies",
            "SaaS and commercial contracts"
          ],
          "hasOccupation": {
            "@type": "Occupation",
            "name": "Attorney",
            "occupationLocation": [
              {
                "@type": "State",
                "name": "New York"
              },
              {
                "@type": "State",
                "name": "New Jersey"
              },
              {
                "@type": "State",
                "name": "Ohio"
              }
            ]
          },
          "memberOf": {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "name": "Seton Hall University School of Law",
            "url": "https://law.shu.edu/"
          },
          "alumniOf": [
            {
              "@type": "CollegeOrUniversity",
              "name": "Boston College",
              "url": "https://www.bc.edu"
            },
            {
              "@type": "CollegeOrUniversity",
              "name": "University of Miami School of Law"
            },
            {
              "@type": "CollegeOrUniversity",
              "name": "Seton Hall University School of Law",
              "url": "https://law.shu.edu/"
            }
          ],
          "hasCredential": [
            {
              "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential",
              "credentialCategory": "license",
              "name": "Admitted to practice law in New York",
              "recognizedBy": {
                "@type": "State",
                "name": "New York"
              }
            },
            {
              "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential",
              "credentialCategory": "license",
              "name": "Admitted to practice law in New Jersey",
              "recognizedBy": {
                "@type": "State",
                "name": "New Jersey"
              }
            },
            {
              "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential",
              "credentialCategory": "license",
              "name": "Admitted to practice law in Ohio",
              "recognizedBy": {
                "@type": "State",
                "name": "Ohio"
              }
            }
          ],
          "sameAs": [
            "https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-jacobs-dj32/",
            "https://profiles.superlawyers.com/new-york/new-york/lawyer/drew-jacobs/22a7b48c-b198-47ac-a0db-4aa37ec85144.html",
            "https://profiles.superlawyers.com/new-jersey/hoboken/lawyer/drew-jacobs/ae1c15fc-79e2-4448-bb03-2f16bd4549e8.html",
            "https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/07030-nj-drew-jacobs-5316690.html",
            "https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/attorneyservices/search?lastName=jacobs&firstName=andrew",
            "https://law.shu.edu/documents/drew-jacobs-bio.pdf",
            "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about",
            "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs",
            "https://go.heycounsel.com/u/djacobs",
            "https://x.com/drewjacobs_"
          ]
        },
        "employee": [
          {
            "@type": "Person",
            "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs#person",
            "name": "Andrew R. Jacobs, Esq.",
            "alternateName": "Drew Jacobs",
            "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs",
            "jobTitle": "Founder & Managing Attorney",
            "image": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/assets/drew-jacobs-headshot.jpg",
            "worksFor": {
              "@type": "LegalService",
              "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/#organization",
              "name": "Jacobs Counsel LLC",
              "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com"
            },
            "knowsAbout": [
              "Gaming law",
              "Sweepstakes and social casino compliance",
              "Skill-based gaming and predominance testing",
              "Sports betting and fantasy sports regulation",
              "Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) law",
              "College athlete revenue sharing",
              "Outside general counsel for technology and AI companies",
              "SaaS and commercial contracts"
            ],
            "hasOccupation": {
              "@type": "Occupation",
              "name": "Attorney",
              "occupationLocation": [
                {
                  "@type": "State",
                  "name": "New York"
                },
                {
                  "@type": "State",
                  "name": "New Jersey"
                },
                {
                  "@type": "State",
                  "name": "Ohio"
                }
              ]
            },
            "memberOf": {
              "@type": "Organization",
              "name": "Seton Hall University School of Law",
              "url": "https://law.shu.edu/"
            },
            "alumniOf": [
              {
                "@type": "CollegeOrUniversity",
                "name": "Boston College",
                "url": "https://www.bc.edu"
              },
              {
                "@type": "CollegeOrUniversity",
                "name": "University of Miami School of Law"
              },
              {
                "@type": "CollegeOrUniversity",
                "name": "Seton Hall University School of Law",
                "url": "https://law.shu.edu/"
              }
            ],
            "hasCredential": [
              {
                "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential",
                "credentialCategory": "license",
                "name": "Admitted to practice law in New York",
                "recognizedBy": {
                  "@type": "State",
                  "name": "New York"
                }
              },
              {
                "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential",
                "credentialCategory": "license",
                "name": "Admitted to practice law in New Jersey",
                "recognizedBy": {
                  "@type": "State",
                  "name": "New Jersey"
                }
              },
              {
                "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential",
                "credentialCategory": "license",
                "name": "Admitted to practice law in Ohio",
                "recognizedBy": {
                  "@type": "State",
                  "name": "Ohio"
                }
              }
            ],
            "sameAs": [
              "https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-jacobs-dj32/",
              "https://profiles.superlawyers.com/new-york/new-york/lawyer/drew-jacobs/22a7b48c-b198-47ac-a0db-4aa37ec85144.html",
              "https://profiles.superlawyers.com/new-jersey/hoboken/lawyer/drew-jacobs/ae1c15fc-79e2-4448-bb03-2f16bd4549e8.html",
              "https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/07030-nj-drew-jacobs-5316690.html",
              "https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/attorneyservices/search?lastName=jacobs&firstName=andrew",
              "https://law.shu.edu/documents/drew-jacobs-bio.pdf",
              "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about",
              "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs",
              "https://go.heycounsel.com/u/djacobs",
              "https://x.com/drewjacobs_"
            ]
          }
        ],
        "potentialAction": {
          "@type": "ReserveAction",
          "target": {
            "@type": "EntryPoint",
            "urlTemplate": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/book-consultation",
            "actionPlatform": [
              "https://schema.org/DesktopWebPlatform",
              "https://schema.org/MobileWebPlatform"
            ]
          },
          "result": {
            "@type": "Reservation",
            "name": "Legal Strategy Call"
          }
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "WebSite",
        "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/#website",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com",
        "name": "Jacobs Counsel",
        "description": "Jacobs Counsel is a boutique law firm for ambitious businesses and the people behind them, providing ongoing outside counsel, contracts, transactions and brand protection, with focused experience in gaming, sports and entertainment.",
        "publisher": {
          "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/#organization"
        },
        "potentialAction": {
          "@type": "SearchAction",
          "target": {
            "@type": "EntryPoint",
            "urlTemplate": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/blog?search={search_term_string}"
          },
          "query-input": "required name=search_term_string"
        },
        "inLanguage": "en-US"
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "ItemList",
    "name": "Primary site navigation — Jacobs Counsel LLC",
    "itemListElement": [
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 1,
        "name": "Outside Counsel",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/services/outside-counsel",
        "description": "Primary service: ongoing outside counsel for growing companies, working alongside founders and operators on contracts, company decisions, transactions and brand protection"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 2,
        "name": "Services",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/services",
        "description": "All services, including business and outside counsel, gaming and betting, sports, athletes and creators"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 3,
        "name": "Business & Outside Counsel",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/services/outside-counsel",
        "description": "Ongoing counsel for company decisions and commercial work."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 4,
        "name": "Gaming & Betting",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/clients/gaming",
        "description": "Regulatory, launch and ongoing gaming counsel."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 5,
        "name": "Sports & Creators",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/sports-entertainment-attorney",
        "description": "Deals and rights for athletes and creators."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 6,
        "name": "Resources",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/resources",
        "description": "Articles, guides, answers, contract breakdowns and the weekly newsletter"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 7,
        "name": "Our Firm",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about",
        "description": "About the firm, our team, and how we work"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 8,
        "name": "Contact",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/contact",
        "description": "Contact Jacobs Counsel or review call options"
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "ItemList",
    "name": "Featured destinations — Jacobs Counsel LLC",
    "itemListElement": [
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 1,
        "name": "Startups & Growing Companies",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/clients/startups"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 2,
        "name": "Business Transactions",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/services/business-transactions"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 3,
        "name": "Contracts & Deal Support",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/services/deal-support"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 4,
        "name": "Brand & IP",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/services/brand-ip"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 5,
        "name": "50-State Gaming Legal Opinion",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/50-state-gaming-legal-opinion"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 6,
        "name": "Gaming Outside Counsel",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/services/gaming-outside-counsel"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 7,
        "name": "Licensing & Launch",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/services/gaming-law"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 8,
        "name": "Sweepstakes & Social Casino",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/services/sweepstakes-gaming-compliance"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 9,
        "name": "Athletes & NIL",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/clients/athletes"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 10,
        "name": "NIL & Endorsements",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/nil-endorsement-attorney"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 11,
        "name": "Content & Creator Rights",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/services/content-creator-rights"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 12,
        "name": "Articles & Analysis",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/blog",
        "description": "Firm articles on legal developments."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 13,
        "name": "Free Guides",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/resources",
        "description": "Downloadable guides for your next decision."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 14,
        "name": "Common Legal Questions",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/answers",
        "description": "Short answers to common questions."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 15,
        "name": "Contract Breakdowns",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/deal-anatomy",
        "description": "Illustrated contract examples."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 16,
        "name": "Compare Legal Options",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/compare",
        "description": "Compare approaches to common legal decisions."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 17,
        "name": "Court Vision Weekly",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/court-vision-weekly",
        "description": "Our weekly newsletter."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 18,
        "name": "Start an Engagement",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/intake"
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "ItemList",
    "name": "Client audiences — Jacobs Counsel LLC",
    "itemListElement": [
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 1,
        "name": "Companies Across Industries",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/services/outside-counsel"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 2,
        "name": "Gaming Operators",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/clients/gaming"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 3,
        "name": "AI & Startup Companies",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/clients/startups"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 4,
        "name": "Athletes & NIL",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/clients/athletes"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 5,
        "name": "Hospitality (adjacent practice)",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/clients/hospitality"
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "ItemList",
    "name": "Team navigation — Jacobs Counsel LLC",
    "itemListElement": [
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 1,
        "name": "Our Team",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/our-team",
        "description": "Legal counsel, firm operations, and client support at Jacobs Counsel LLC"
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 2,
        "name": "Andrew R. Jacobs, Esq.",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs",
        "description": "Founder & Managing Attorney — Leads the firm's legal work for businesses, athletes, and creators."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 3,
        "name": "Sam Basile",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/sam-basile",
        "description": "Of Counsel | Gaming Practice Co-Lead — Advises gaming operators, suppliers and technology companies on iGaming, payments, licensing and compliance."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 4,
        "name": "Caitlin Hannibal",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/caitlin-hannibal",
        "description": "Of Counsel — Advises athletes, sports and media companies, and founders on business and brand matters."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 5,
        "name": "Jamee Ganal",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/jamee-ganal",
        "description": "Executive Assistant — Helps clients stay informed and coordinates follow-up with the team."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 6,
        "name": "Chad Dembiec",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/chad-dembiec",
        "description": "Operations Associate — Manages matter records, client billing, and internal financial reports."
      },
      {
        "@type": "SiteNavigationElement",
        "position": 7,
        "name": "Seany Gershen",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/seany-gershen",
        "description": "Law Clerk, pending admission to the New York bar — Supports transactional and corporate matters from the New York office."
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "Article",
    "headline": "What the SEC’s Proposed NIL Fines Mean for Athletes",
    "description": "The SEC is reportedly weighing fines on school roster spending. Here’s what athletes should check in school-linked NIL deals while current rules apply.",
    "author": {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs#person",
      "name": "Andrew R. Jacobs, Esq.",
      "alternateName": "Drew Jacobs",
      "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs",
      "jobTitle": "Founder & Managing Attorney",
      "image": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/assets/drew-jacobs-headshot.jpg",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "LegalService",
        "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/#organization",
        "name": "Jacobs Counsel LLC",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com"
      },
      "knowsAbout": [
        "Gaming law",
        "Sweepstakes and social casino compliance",
        "Skill-based gaming and predominance testing",
        "Sports betting and fantasy sports regulation",
        "Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) law",
        "College athlete revenue sharing",
        "Outside general counsel for technology and AI companies",
        "SaaS and commercial contracts"
      ],
      "hasOccupation": {
        "@type": "Occupation",
        "name": "Attorney",
        "occupationLocation": [
          {
            "@type": "State",
            "name": "New York"
          },
          {
            "@type": "State",
            "name": "New Jersey"
          },
          {
            "@type": "State",
            "name": "Ohio"
          }
        ]
      },
      "memberOf": {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "name": "Seton Hall University School of Law",
        "url": "https://law.shu.edu/"
      },
      "alumniOf": [
        {
          "@type": "CollegeOrUniversity",
          "name": "Boston College",
          "url": "https://www.bc.edu"
        },
        {
          "@type": "CollegeOrUniversity",
          "name": "University of Miami School of Law"
        },
        {
          "@type": "CollegeOrUniversity",
          "name": "Seton Hall University School of Law",
          "url": "https://law.shu.edu/"
        }
      ],
      "hasCredential": [
        {
          "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential",
          "credentialCategory": "license",
          "name": "Admitted to practice law in New York",
          "recognizedBy": {
            "@type": "State",
            "name": "New York"
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential",
          "credentialCategory": "license",
          "name": "Admitted to practice law in New Jersey",
          "recognizedBy": {
            "@type": "State",
            "name": "New Jersey"
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential",
          "credentialCategory": "license",
          "name": "Admitted to practice law in Ohio",
          "recognizedBy": {
            "@type": "State",
            "name": "Ohio"
          }
        }
      ],
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-jacobs-dj32/",
        "https://profiles.superlawyers.com/new-york/new-york/lawyer/drew-jacobs/22a7b48c-b198-47ac-a0db-4aa37ec85144.html",
        "https://profiles.superlawyers.com/new-jersey/hoboken/lawyer/drew-jacobs/ae1c15fc-79e2-4448-bb03-2f16bd4549e8.html",
        "https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/07030-nj-drew-jacobs-5316690.html",
        "https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/attorneyservices/search?lastName=jacobs&firstName=andrew",
        "https://law.shu.edu/documents/drew-jacobs-bio.pdf",
        "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about",
        "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/about/drew-jacobs",
        "https://go.heycounsel.com/u/djacobs",
        "https://x.com/drewjacobs_"
      ]
    },
    "publisher": {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "Jacobs Counsel LLC",
      "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com",
      "logo": {
        "@type": "ImageObject",
        "url": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/logo-dark.jpg"
      }
    },
    "datePublished": "2026-11-12T00:00:00.000Z",
    "dateModified": "2026-11-13T00:00:00.000Z",
    "image": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/assets/blog-hero-athletes-CPzNVIHi.jpg",
    "mainEntityOfPage": {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/blog/sec-proposed-nil-cap-fines-athletes"
    },
    "speakable": {
      "@type": "SpeakableSpecification",
      "cssSelector": [
        ".answer-block-text",
        ".key-takeaways-list"
      ]
    }
  },
  {
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
    "itemListElement": [
      {
        "@type": "ListItem",
        "position": 1,
        "name": "Home",
        "item": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com"
      },
      {
        "@type": "ListItem",
        "position": 2,
        "name": "Resources",
        "item": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/resources"
      },
      {
        "@type": "ListItem",
        "position": 3,
        "name": "What the SEC’s Proposed NIL Fines Mean for Athletes",
        "item": "https://jacobscounsellaw.com/blog/sec-proposed-nil-cap-fines-athletes"
      }
    ]
  }
]
```