NIL Attorney for College Athletes: Deal Review & Negotiation
Know what you are signing, what you will be paid and how long your commitments last. We help athletes and their advisors review and negotiate NIL, endorsement, licensing and school revenue-share agreements.
By Drew Jacobs, Esq. — Founder, Jacobs Counsel LLC
Last reviewed:
Choose a complimentary 15-minute fit-and-intake call with Jamee (no legal advice) or a paid 30-minute attorney strategy session with Drew ($350).
Want a closer look at the contract terms? NIL Endorsement Deal Attorney for College Athletes →
The team behind your deal
Drew Jacobs and Caitlin Hannibal bring experience in sports, entertainment and business agreements. Engagements are principal-led, with qualified attorneys assigned to the work and a responsible contact identified before we begin.
Andrew R. Jacobs, Esq.Founder & Managing AttorneyDrew founded Jacobs Counsel and advises businesses, athletes, and creators. He is admitted in New York, New Jersey, and Ohio.View profile 
Caitlin HannibalOf CounselCaitlin advises athletes, sports and media companies, and founders. She is admitted in New York and is a WNBPA Certified Player Agent.View profile 📥 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 GuideFor more on athlete businesses and school payments, read our guide to college athlete revenue-share contracts and the retired-pro business playbook.
What we handle
A contract review should leave you with clear concerns, proposed changes and an explanation of the choices in front of you. The work depends on the agreement and the scope we set together.
NIL Deal Review & Negotiation
We review compensation, usage rights, exclusivity and termination, explain the tradeoffs and propose changes. Negotiation with the other side can be included in the engagement.
- • Contract markup with specific concerns flagged
- • Risk assessment memo with negotiation strategy
- • Redlined agreement with proposed changes
- • Direct negotiation with brand/agency if needed
- • Final contract review before signature
Brand Partnership Agreements
Long-term brand ambassador deals, creator collaborations, and licensing partnerships. We structure agreements that protect your IP, ensure fair compensation, and preserve creative control.
What We Negotiate:
- • Upfront payments vs. royalty structures
- • Territory and channel exclusivity
- • Content ownership and usage rights
- • Performance metrics and bonus triggers
- • Approval rights for brand-produced content
- • Termination rights and notice periods
Licensing & Royalty Agreements
Merchandise licensing, content licensing, and brand extension deals. We structure royalty terms, protect your IP, and make sure you get paid correctly.
Common Licensing Deals We Handle:
- • Merchandise licensing (apparel, accessories)
- • Content syndication and distribution
- • Image and likeness licensing
- • Video game and software licensing
- • Music and media rights
Terms We Review:
- • Minimum guarantee payments
- • Audit rights for royalty verification
- • Quality control approval
- • Geographic and channel restrictions
Agent & Management Contract Review
Talent representation agreements, management contracts, and agency deals. We spot red flags, negotiate fair commission structures, and make sure you can actually terminate if needed.
Red Flags We Find:
- • Commission on deals you bring yourself
- • Excessive term lengths (3+ years)
- • Post-termination commission rights
- • Broad power of attorney clauses
- • Hidden fees and expense reimbursements
- • No performance standards or exclusions
Common situations
Illustrative examples of work we can scope, not descriptions of particular client results.
College Athlete's First NIL Deal
Situation: Local business offers NIL deal with social media posts and appearance requirements.
How we can help: Review contract for problematic exclusivity clauses, negotiate improved compensation, cap appearance obligations, structure performance bonuses, and ensure flexibility if the athlete transfers schools or enters professional sports.
Streamer Brand Partnership
Situation: Brand seeking multi-year exclusive sponsorship arrangement with content creator.
How we can help: Negotiate category-specific exclusivity instead of blanket restrictions, structure favorable payment terms combining upfront and recurring payments, add performance-based bonuses, preserve ability to work with non-competing brands, and secure content ownership rights.
Artist Licensing Deal
Situation: Brand wants to license creative work for commercial advertising campaign.
How we can help: Draft licensing agreement with clearly defined usage parameters, negotiate appropriate licensing fees and renewal terms, limit geographic territory and duration, include proper attribution requirements, and establish audit rights for royalty verification.
Assess Your NIL Readiness
Evaluate your NIL opportunities and understand how to maximize your brand value.
Athlete NIL Readiness Assessment
Evaluate your NIL opportunities, learn about contract terms, compliance, and monetization strategies.
For College Athletes
Bring the offer and the deadline.
Share the proposed agreement, related commitments and the date you need a decision. We confirm capacity, scope and timing before accepting the work. Urgency alone does not establish that a review can be completed before a deadline.
We work directly with athletes, their families, and their agents to make sure every deal protects your name, image, and likeness rights long-term.
For Professional Athletes
Beyond the Contract.
Endorsements, licensing and business ventures often continue beyond a playing career. We help professional athletes review those agreements and organize the companies and rights behind them.
Already retired?
Check out Athlete Alumni Advantage for NFL benefits recovery.
Scope, timing and fees agreed up front
Start with the proposed contract, any related agreements and the date you need a decision. Include the deliverables, compensation, existing sponsors and questions you want answered.
Defined projects may use a fixed fee. Multi-deal and ongoing work may be hourly, retainer-based or hybrid. We identify the responsible attorney, deliverables, schedule and fees in writing before work begins. Learn about ongoing outside counsel.
Guides and related services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an NIL deal and how does it work?
How much should I charge for an NIL deal?
Do I need a lawyer or an agent for NIL deals?
What should I look for in an NIL contract?
How much does NIL legal representation cost?
Ready to Negotiate Your Next Deal?
Tell us about the agreement and the decision you need to make. Choose a complimentary 15-minute fit-and-intake call with Jamee (no legal advice) or a paid 30-minute attorney strategy session with Drew ($350).