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NIL Knowledge Hub

NIL for parents and guardians

As a parent, your job in NIL is to make sure any deal is allowed in your child's state and school, is in writing, is reported where required, and does not put their eligibility or college recruiting at risk. For athletes under 18, businesses usually need a parent's or guardian's signature, and some states, such as Louisiana and Ohio, build parents into the process by law or rule.

Last reviewed Checked against official sources

Key facts

  • High school NIL is set state by state; a few states, including Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas and Wyoming, do not allow deals with businesses.
  • Louisiana requires a parent's or guardian's written consent for athletes under 18; Ohio requires a notarized affirmation from the student and a parent.
  • Many states require the family to notify the school within days of signing, such as seven days in Georgia and Michigan, 72 hours in Pennsylvania and Virginia, or 14 days in Ohio.
  • Deals made after the later of July 1, 2025 or the start of junior year must be reported to NIL Go if your child enrolls at a Division I school.
  • NIL income is taxable, including free products; a teen with $400 or more in net self-employment earnings generally must file a federal return.
  • No deal may be tied to performance, making a team, or enrolling at or transferring to a school.
On this page
  1. The first five questions to ask
  2. Signing for a minor
  3. Protecting college recruiting
  4. Money, taxes and records
  5. If your child is already in college
  6. Frequently asked questions
  7. Sources

The first five questions to ask

  • Is NIL allowed in our state and at our school? Check NIL rules by state and ask the athletic director.
  • Who is offering the deal, and are they connected to the school (a booster, collective or coach)? Many states ban those deals for high school athletes.
  • What exactly does my child have to do, and when?
  • Who must we tell, and by when?
  • How will it affect college eligibility, financial aid and taxes?

Signing for a minor

Contracts signed by minors can be hard to enforce, so most businesses ask a parent or guardian to sign too. Read the whole agreement, and pay close attention to:

  • How long it lasts, and whether it renews automatically.
  • What the business may do with photos, video and your child's name, and for how long after the deal ends.
  • Exclusivity that could block other opportunities.
  • Any use of the school's name, logo or uniform, which nearly every association bans.

See NIL contracts for a full checklist.

Protecting college recruiting

Deals your child signs in high school can matter later. A prospect who enrolls at an NCAA Division I school must report every third-party NIL deal of $600 or more made after the later of July 1, 2025 or the first day of junior year, within 14 days of enrolling or before the first game, whichever comes first. Keep copies of every contract and payment.

Be wary of any offer that is really about where your child plays. Money tied to enrolling at, transferring to or staying at a school is a recruiting inducement and is banned in every state that allows high school NIL.

Money, taxes and records

  • Open a separate account for NIL money and keep a log of every payment and every product received.
  • Set aside money for taxes; NIL income is usually self-employment income. See NIL taxes.
  • Ask colleges' financial aid offices how NIL income could affect need-based aid.
  • Be careful with agents: many states require them to register, and fees should be in writing.

If your child is already in college

College athletes manage their own deals, but parents still help. Division I athletes must report third-party deals of $600 or more to NIL Go within five business days, and may name one representative, such as a parent, to enter deals for them. Schools may now pay athletes directly through revenue sharing; those agreements are separate from outside NIL deals. See NIL for college athletes.

Frequently asked questions

Do parents have to sign NIL contracts?

For athletes under 18, businesses usually require it, and some states require parental involvement by rule or law, such as Louisiana's written consent and Ohio's notarized affirmation.

Can NIL deals in high school hurt my child's college recruiting?

Not if they follow the rules. But deals of $600 or more from junior year on must be reported to NIL Go if your child enrolls at a Division I school, and any deal tied to recruiting is banned.

Does my child have to pay taxes on NIL money?

Yes. NIL income, including free products, is taxable, and a teen with $400 or more in net self-employment earnings generally must file a federal tax return.

Can I act as my child's agent?

Parents commonly help, and Division I athletes may name one representative to enter deals in NIL Go. If you charge a fee or represent other athletes, check your state's athlete agent registration rules.

Next steps

NIL Innovations for parentsStay connected to your athlete's deals and approvals.Look up your stateHigh school and college rules, with sources.Join free as a parentConnect to your athlete's account.

Sources

  1. Rules and Policies (high school prospects) — College Sports Commission
  2. Student-Athlete NIL Deals — College Sports Commission
  3. Résumé Digest, Act 810 (HB 513), 2026 — Louisiana State Legislature
  4. NIL Resource Center — Ohio High School Athletic Association
  5. Publication 501, Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information — Internal Revenue Service

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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