Name, image and likeness deals are flooding college football, but without legal guidance, one bad contract could cost athletes eligibility and money already earned.
Big money contracts in college football are putting athletes at legal risk originally appeared on The Sporting News
College football players are signing more name, image and likeness (NIL) contracts than ever, and the dollar figures keep growing. The growth in this new type of contract is changing the sport at a fundamental level and opening up the athletes to legal risks that could affect both their eligibility and what they earn.
The College Sports Commission reported that more than 8,300 NIL agreements worth nearly 80 million dollars were cleared between June and August. Over 28,000 athletes have now registered with the NIL Go platform, which helps schools and players track deals across programs.
Major brands are also deepening their presence. DirecTV rolled out partnerships with Army, Duke, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas and North Carolina that include fan zone activations at football and basketball games. Tennessee confirmed a $10 million per year deal with Adidas that begins in 2026 and will give every Volunteer athlete access to the brand’s NIL ambassador network from the moment they arrive on campus.
With the growth in the umber of these contracts, there’s a need for legal help all around. Paul M. Aloise Jr., a former Florida State national champion and NFLPA certified agent, now practices as a sports and entertainment attorney. He’s seen all kinds of issues, including athletes being pressured into signing agreements that take away the long-term rights to their likeness. He’s also stepped in when organizations offered deals to athletes that clashed with state rules. He’s also renegotiated contracts where marketing demands conflicted with NCAA policies.
“NIL has made college football a business as much as a game,” Aloise said. “Every state and school has different rules, and one mistake in a contract can cost an athlete eligibility or money they have already earned. The risks are not only on the players but in some cases on their agents as well. This era is moving fast, and without the right legal guidance, those risks can pile up quickly.”
It may be a confusing new world for young athletes, but the message is clear. You can join an exciting new world of NIL contracts, but your success requires just as much attention to detail as success on the field.
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Category: General Sports
