Free NIL tool
Helpful NIL links
The official sites, rules and support lines that matter for NIL, sorted by who you are and what you need: governing bodies, state associations and laws, taxes, disclosure rules, recruiting, education and mental health. Pick your role to see your list.
144 links for athlete or talent.
Compliance and rules
- NIL Go: reporting student-athlete NIL deals(opens in a new tab)
How the College Sports Commission's NIL Go clearinghouse reviews third-party NIL deals, and who has to report.
collegesportscommission.org
- College Sports Commission FAQ(opens in a new tab)
Answers to common questions about NIL deals, revenue sharing and the commission's role.
collegesportscommission.org
- College Sports Commission rules and policies(opens in a new tab)
The rules and policies the commission enforces, in one place.
collegesportscommission.org
- Revenue sharing under the House settlement(opens in a new tab)
How schools may share revenue directly with athletes, and the rules around it.
collegesportscommission.org
- NCAA name, image and likeness(opens in a new tab)
The NCAA's NIL rules and resources for student-athletes and schools.
ncaa.org
- NAIA NIL policy overview(opens in a new tab)
What NAIA athletes may do with their name, image and likeness, and how they report it to their school.
interpretations.naia.org
- NFHS: protecting high school athletes from NIL issues(opens in a new tab)
The NFHS position on NIL for high school athletes and why state association rules come first.
nfhs.org
Governing bodies
- College Sports Commission(opens in a new tab)
The independent body that enforces the House settlement's rules on NIL deals, revenue sharing and roster limits at participating schools.
collegesportscommission.org
- NCAA(opens in a new tab)
The National Collegiate Athletic Association: Divisions I, II and III, their championships and their rules.
ncaa.org
- NCAA Division I(opens in a new tab)
Division I's governance, scholarships and championships.
ncaa.org
- NCAA Division II(opens in a new tab)
Division II's governance, scholarships and championships.
ncaa.org
- NCAA Division III(opens in a new tab)
Division III's governance, financial aid and championships.
ncaa.org
- NAIA(opens in a new tab)
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, its member schools and championships.
naia.org
- NJCAA(opens in a new tab)
The National Junior College Athletic Association, the governing body for most two-year college athletics.
njcaa.org
- California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A)(opens in a new tab)
The governing body for California's community college athletics, which sits outside the NJCAA.
cccaasports.org
- Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC)(opens in a new tab)
Community college athletics in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia.
nwacsports.org
- National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)(opens in a new tab)
The national body the state high school associations belong to; it writes the playing rules most states use.
nfhs.org
- Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)(opens in a new tab)
The AAU's youth and club programs, events and membership.
aausports.org
- U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee(opens in a new tab)
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic movement, its national governing bodies and athlete resources.
usopc.org
State high school associations
- Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
ahsaa.com
- Alaska School Activities Association (ASAA) handbooks(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
asaa.org
- Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA): NIL(opens in a new tab)
The association's own NIL rules for high school athletes. Check them before any deal.
aiaonline.org
- Arkansas Activities Association (AAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
ahsaa.org
- California Interscholastic Federation (CIF)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
cifstate.org
- Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) bylaws(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
chsaanow.com
- Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
fhsaa.com
- Georgia High School Association (GHSA): NIL guidelines(opens in a new tab)
The association's own NIL rules for high school athletes. Check them before any deal.
ghsa.net
- Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
hhsaa.org
- Idaho High School Activities Association (IDHSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
idhsaa.org
- Illinois High School Association (IHSA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
ihsa.org
- Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
ihsaa.org
- Iowa High School Athletic Association handbook(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
iahsaa.org
- Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
ighsau.org
- Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
kshsaa.org
- Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) handbook(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
khsaa.org
- Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
lhsaa.org
- Maine Principals' Association (MPA) handbook(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
mpa.cc
- Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA): NIL guidance(opens in a new tab)
The association's own NIL rules for high school athletes. Check them before any deal.
mpssaa.org
- Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) handbook(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
miaa.net
- Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA): NIL(opens in a new tab)
The association's own NIL rules for high school athletes. Check them before any deal.
mhsaa.com
- Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL): NIL policy(opens in a new tab)
The association's own NIL rules for high school athletes. Check them before any deal.
mshsl.org
- Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
misshsaa.com
- Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
mshsaa.org
- Montana High School Association (MHSA) handbook(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
mhsa.org
- Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
nsaahome.org
- Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
niaa.com
- New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association (NHIAA) handbook(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
nhiaa.org
- New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA): NIL FAQs(opens in a new tab)
The association's own NIL rules for high school athletes. Check them before any deal.
njsiaa.org
- New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) handbook(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
nmact.org
- New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
nysphsaa.org
- North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) handbook(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
nchsaa.org
- North Dakota High School Activities Association (NDHSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
ndhsaa.com
- Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA): NIL Resource Center(opens in a new tab)
The association's own NIL rules for high school athletes. Check them before any deal.
ohsaa.org
- Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
ossaa.com
- Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
piaa.org
- Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
riil.org
- South Carolina High School League (SCHSL)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
schsl.org
- South Dakota High School Activities Association (SDHSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
sdhsaa.com
- Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
tssaa.org
- University Interscholastic League (UIL, Texas): NIL information(opens in a new tab)
The association's own NIL rules for high school athletes. Check them before any deal.
uiltexas.org
- Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) handbooks(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
uhsaa.org
- Vermont Principals' Association (VPA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
vpaonline.org
- Virginia High School League (VHSL): NIL policy course(opens in a new tab)
The association's own NIL rules for high school athletes. Check them before any deal.
vhsl.org
- Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) handbook(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
wiaa.com
- West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
wvssac.org
- Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA)(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
wiaawi.org
- Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) handbook(opens in a new tab)
The state association's site and rules. High school NIL rules come from here; see our state page for where they stand.
whsaa.org
State NIL laws
- Arizona Revised Statutes § 15-1892(opens in a new tab)
Arizona's law on college athlete NIL compensation and what schools may not do.
azleg.gov
- Colorado HB25-1041, Student Athlete Name Image or Likeness(opens in a new tab)
Colorado's 2025 bill on student athlete NIL.
leg.colorado.gov
- Florida Statutes § 1006.74(opens in a new tab)
Florida's intercollegiate athlete NIL law.
flsenate.gov
- Kentucky KRS 164.6941 (definitions)(opens in a new tab)
The definitions section of Kentucky's college athlete NIL law.
apps.legislature.ky.gov
- Louisiana Act 810 (HB 513, 2026), résumé digest(opens in a new tab)
The Louisiana Legislature's summary of its 2026 NIL act.
legis.la.gov
- New York Education Law § 6438-C(opens in a new tab)
New York's law on college athlete compensation for name, image and likeness.
nysenate.gov
- Ohio Revised Code § 3376.04(opens in a new tab)
Ohio's college athlete NIL provision.
codes.ohio.gov
- Oklahoma SB 1786 (2024), enrolled(opens in a new tab)
Oklahoma's 2024 student athlete NIL act, as enrolled.
oklegislature.gov
- Pennsylvania Act 26 of 2021(opens in a new tab)
Pennsylvania's college athlete NIL law (SB 381).
palegis.us
- Texas Education Code, Chapter 51(opens in a new tab)
The chapter holding Texas's college athlete NIL law, Section 51.9246.
statutes.capitol.texas.gov
- Texas H.B. 126 (2025), enrolled(opens in a new tab)
The 2025 Texas bill that amended the state's NIL law.
capitol.texas.gov
- Code of Virginia § 23.1-408.1(opens in a new tab)
Virginia's law on college athletes' NIL compensation and representation.
law.lis.virginia.gov
- Code of Virginia § 22.1-212.2:4 (high school)(opens in a new tab)
Virginia's law on NIL compensation and representation for high school athletes.
law.lis.virginia.gov
Taxes and money
- IRS Topic 554: self-employment tax(opens in a new tab)
Why NIL income from deals is usually self-employment income, and the tax that comes with it.
irs.gov
- IRS: estimated taxes(opens in a new tab)
Who pays quarterly estimated tax and how, which applies to most NIL earners.
irs.gov
- IRS Publication 525: taxable and nontaxable income(opens in a new tab)
What counts as taxable income, including payments in goods and services rather than cash.
irs.gov
- IRS Publication 501: dependents, standard deduction and filing(opens in a new tab)
Whether a minor with NIL income has to file, and how dependents are treated.
irs.gov
- IRS self-employed individuals tax center(opens in a new tab)
The IRS's starting point for anyone paid as a contractor rather than an employee.
irs.gov
- IRS gig economy tax center(opens in a new tab)
Taxes for people paid through apps and platforms, including sponsored content.
irs.gov
- IRS Form 1099-NEC(opens in a new tab)
The form a business files to report nonemployee compensation it paid.
irs.gov
- IRS Form W-9(opens in a new tab)
The form a brand asks for before paying a contractor, so it can issue a 1099.
irs.gov
- IRS: get an employer identification number (EIN)(opens in a new tab)
How to get an EIN for a business, free from the IRS.
irs.gov
- IRS: business structures(opens in a new tab)
How the IRS treats sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations and LLCs.
irs.gov
- IRS Free File(opens in a new tab)
Free federal tax filing for eligible taxpayers.
irs.gov
- IRS free tax return preparation (VITA and TCE)(opens in a new tab)
Free tax help from IRS-certified volunteers for qualifying taxpayers.
irs.gov
Financial literacy
- MyMoney.gov(opens in a new tab)
The federal government's financial literacy site: earning, saving, borrowing and protecting money.
mymoney.gov
- CFPB consumer tools(opens in a new tab)
Plain-language help on bank accounts, credit, loans and scams from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
consumerfinance.gov
- FDIC Money Smart(opens in a new tab)
Free financial education from the FDIC for young people and adults.
fdic.gov
- Investor.gov (SEC)(opens in a new tab)
The SEC's investor education site, including how to check out an investment professional.
investor.gov
- SEC Investment Adviser Public Disclosure(opens in a new tab)
Look up an investment adviser's registration and history before you hire one.
adviserinfo.sec.gov
- FINRA BrokerCheck(opens in a new tab)
Look up a broker or financial advisor's background, free.
brokercheck.finra.org
- FINRA for investors(opens in a new tab)
Investing basics, fraud protection and tools from FINRA.
finra.org
- Federal Student Aid(opens in a new tab)
FAFSA, grants and loans from the U.S. Department of Education.
studentaid.gov
Endorsements and advertising
- FTC: Disclosures 101 for social media influencers(opens in a new tab)
When and how to disclose a paid or sponsored post, from the Federal Trade Commission.
ftc.gov
- FTC's Endorsement Guides: What People Are Asking(opens in a new tab)
The FTC's answers to common questions about endorsements, reviews and sponsored content.
ftc.gov
Recruiting and eligibility
- NCAA Eligibility Center(opens in a new tab)
Academic and amateur certification for anyone who wants to play NCAA Division I or II sports.
ncaa.org
- NCAA Eligibility Center account sign-up(opens in a new tab)
Where a prospective college athlete registers with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
web3.ncaa.org
- NCAA recruiting rules and calendars(opens in a new tab)
How NCAA recruiting works, the recruiting calendars and when coaches can contact athletes.
ncaa.org
- NCAA transfer rules and eligibility(opens in a new tab)
What changes when an NCAA athlete transfers schools.
ncaa.org
- Roster limits under the House settlement(opens in a new tab)
The roster limits that replaced scholarship limits at participating schools.
collegesportscommission.org
- PlayNAIA and the NAIA Eligibility Center(opens in a new tab)
Where prospective NAIA athletes register and learn how NAIA eligibility works.
play.mynaia.org
- NJCAA eligibility(opens in a new tab)
Eligibility rules for junior college athletics.
njcaa.org
Education and courses
- College Sports Commission glossary(opens in a new tab)
Definitions of the terms the commission's rules use, such as associated entities.
collegesportscommission.org
- College Sports Commission NIL data reports(opens in a new tab)
The commission's published reports on NIL deals reviewed through NIL Go.
collegesportscommission.org
- NFHS free NIL course(opens in a new tab)
The NFHS's free online course on what NIL means for high school students and families.
nfhs.org
- NCAA scholarships and grants(opens in a new tab)
Scholarships and grants available to NCAA student-athletes beyond athletic aid.
ncaa.org
- Athletes for Hope(opens in a new tab)
A nonprofit that helps athletes take part in charitable causes.
athletesforhope.org
Mental health and wellness
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline(opens in a new tab)
Call or text 988, or chat online, any time, for free and confidential support.
988lifeline.org
- Crisis Text Line(opens in a new tab)
Free, 24/7 support by text with a trained volunteer crisis counselor.
crisistextline.org
- SAMHSA National Helpline(opens in a new tab)
Free, confidential treatment referral and information for mental health and substance use, any time.
samhsa.gov
- FindTreatment.gov(opens in a new tab)
Find licensed treatment facilities for mental health and substance use near you.
findtreatment.gov
- NCAA mental health resources(opens in a new tab)
The NCAA's mental health best practices, research and education for schools and athletes.
ncaa.org
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)(opens in a new tab)
Education, support groups and a helpline for people with mental health conditions and their families.
nami.org
- Mental Health America(opens in a new tab)
Free screening tools and information on mental health.
mhanational.org
- The Jed Foundation(opens in a new tab)
Mental health and suicide prevention resources for teens and young adults.
jedfoundation.org
- The Hidden Opponent(opens in a new tab)
A nonprofit for student-athlete mental health, with campus chapters.
thehiddenopponent.org
- Morgan's Message(opens in a new tab)
A nonprofit working to make mental health as normal a topic as physical health for student-athletes.
morgansmessage.org
- The Trevor Project(opens in a new tab)
Crisis support and suicide prevention for LGBTQ+ young people.
thetrevorproject.org
- National Eating Disorders Association(opens in a new tab)
Information and support for eating disorders, which affect athletes in every sport.
nationaleatingdisorders.org
Health, safety and protection
- U.S. Center for SafeSport(opens in a new tab)
Abuse prevention, training and reporting for sports organizations.
uscenterforsafesport.org
- NCAA health, safety and performance(opens in a new tab)
The NCAA's sport science guidance on concussion, heat, nutrition and more.
ncaa.org
- NCAA sports betting protections(opens in a new tab)
How the NCAA protects athletes from sports betting harassment, and how to report it.
ncaa.org
- CDC HEADS UP: concussion(opens in a new tab)
Recognizing and responding to concussion, for parents, coaches and schools.
cdc.gov
- U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)(opens in a new tab)
Anti-doping rules and education for athletes.
usada.org
- USADA Supplement Connect(opens in a new tab)
How to reduce the risk of a supplement you're paid to promote containing a banned substance.
usada.org
- NetSmartz (NCMEC)(opens in a new tab)
Online safety education for kids, teens and parents from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
missingkids.org
- Take It Down (NCMEC)(opens in a new tab)
A free service that helps remove nude or sexual images taken of a minor from participating platforms.
takeitdown.ncmec.org
- NCMEC CyberTipline(opens in a new tab)
Report online exploitation of a child.
report.cybertip.org
- ReportFraud.ftc.gov(opens in a new tab)
Report a scam or fraud, such as a fake sponsorship offer, to the FTC.
reportfraud.ftc.gov
- National Council on Problem Gambling(opens in a new tab)
Help and information for anyone affected by problem gambling, including sports betting.
ncpgambling.org
- 1-800-GAMBLER(opens in a new tab)
A national helpline for problem gambling.
1800gambler.net
Running a business
- SBA: plan your business(opens in a new tab)
The Small Business Administration's guide to planning a business, from market research to a business plan.
sba.gov
- SBA: launch your business(opens in a new tab)
Choosing a business structure, registering and getting licenses.
sba.gov
- SBA local assistance(opens in a new tab)
Free and low-cost counseling and mentoring for small businesses near you.
sba.gov
- USPTO trademark basics(opens in a new tab)
What a trademark is and whether you need one, from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
uspto.gov
- USPTO: apply for a trademark online(opens in a new tab)
Where to file a trademark application for a name, logo or slogan.
uspto.gov
- U.S. Copyright Office(opens in a new tab)
Copyright registration and the rules on using photos, music and video you didn't make.
copyright.gov
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These links go to sites we don't run. We check each one every week and take down any that stop working. For explanations in plain English, start with the NIL Knowledge Hub or the free resource library.
This is general information, not legal advice. NIL rules differ by state, school, association and sport, and they change often. Check the official sources linked on this page and talk with your school's compliance office, your state association or a licensed attorney before you sign anything.
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