Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to The Helm: Parent Edition, your comprehensive guide to navigating the rapidly evolving NIL landscape alongside your student-athlete. This week brings some of the most significant developments we've seen in months, from presidential intervention to landmark legal battles that could reshape how NIL contracts work for every athlete in America.
Whether your child is a freshman in high school just beginning their athletic journey or a senior in college weighing transfer decisions, the stories in this issue will directly impact their opportunities and the protections you need to have in place. Let's dive in.
Presidential Spotlight: NIL Called a "Disaster"
On December 12, 2025, President Donald Trump publicly labeled NIL a "disaster" during a White House ceremony honoring the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" U.S. Olympic hockey team. The President warned that NIL is "killing" college sports and signaled willingness to pursue federal intervention.
What He Said: "Colleges cannot afford to play this game, and it's a very bad thing that's happening." Trump expressed concern that schools are cutting Olympic sports programs to fund football rosters, stating, "Those sports don't exist because they're putting all their money into football."
What This Means for Your Family: Federal legislation remains on the table, and the regulatory environment could continue to shift significantly over the next 18 to 24 months. While no specific bill has advanced, over the summer the President signed a "Save College Sports" executive order. Parents should monitor legislative developments closely: any federal framework could impact state-by-state NIL rules, contract enforceability, and athlete compensation structures.
π― PARENT ACTION ITEM
Start a "NIL News" folder in your email. Set up Google Alerts for "NIL legislation" and "NCAA revenue sharing" to stay ahead of regulatory changes that could affect your athlete's opportunities.
Game-Changer: Utah's $500 Million Private Equity Deal
On December 9-10, 2025, the University of Utah's Board of Trustees approved a first-of-its-kind partnership with Otro Capital, expected to generate approximately $500 million for their athletic department through a new for-profit entity called Utah Brands & Entertainment LLC.
Important Clarification: This is NOT a dedicated "NIL fund." This is a broader private equity investment in Utah's entire athletic operation, covering: ticketing, sponsorships, licensing, and media rights. However, it will significantly boost Utah's ability to compete for talent through both NIL and the new revenue-sharing model.
Why Parents Should Pay Attention: This deal signals a fundamental shift in how college athletics will be funded. Schools partnering with private equity firms will have vastly different resources than those relying solely on donors and collectives. When evaluating programs for your athlete, ask: "How is this athletic department funded, and what's the long-term financial stability of their NIL ecosystem?"
Troy Aikman's NIL Frustration
Hall of Famer Troy Aikman publicly declared he's "done with NIL" after donating a "sizable" sum to a UCLA quarterback recruit who transferred after one season without sending a thank-you note.
The Full Context: What Aikman may not have known, and what matters for your family to understand, is that UCLA's Men of Westwood collective policy keeps individual donor identities anonymous from players. The quarterback didn't know Aikman was his benefactor. Aikman was thanked by the collective leadership, head coach Chip Kelly, and athletic director Martin Jarmond: just not directly by the player.
The Bigger Lesson: This story illustrates the growing tension between donor expectations and player mobility. For parents: remind your athlete that relationships matter even when money is involved.Β
Gratitude isn't just polite: it's strategic.Β
The NIL world is smaller than you think, and reputations travel fast.
The Reality of NIL Brand Deals: Why Nike's Blue Ribbon Elite Isn't Your First Step
Let's have an honest conversation about brand partnerships in college athleticsβbecause if you're an athlete, parent, or coach watching Nike roll out its shiny new NIL programs, you might be wondering how to get a piece of that action.
Here's the truth: you probably won't. At least, not yet. And that's actually okay.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Nike's Blue Ribbon Elite program includes roughly 50 athletes. That's it. Fifty spots across all of Division I athleticsβfootball, basketball, track, you name it. We're talking about a selection rate that makes Ivy League admissions look generous.
And Nike's recent partnership with LSU? While the details are still emerging, these major brand programs follow the same playbook: elite, selective, and laser-focused on athletes who already have massive platforms and proven track records.
What This Actually Means for Most Athletes
If you're a talented sophomore point guard at a mid-major school, or a standout swimmer who dominates your conference but doesn't crack ESPN headlines, these flagship programs aren't designed for youβright now.
But here's where it gets interesting: the athletes who eventually land these deals didn't start by chasing Nike. They started local.
The Authentic Partnership Playbook
Think about it like building a highlight reel. You don't submit your first game film to the NFL. You build credibility, demonstrate value, and create a track record that speaks for itself.
Local businesses are your proving ground. That regional car dealership, the gym where you train, the restaurant where your teammates grab post-practice mealsβthese aren't consolation prizes. They're your foundation.
Here's why local partnerships matter:
They're achievable. A local business owner who watches you play on Friday nights is far more likely to take a chance on you than a global brand evaluating thousands of athletes through spreadsheets.
They teach you the game. Negotiating, delivering on commitments, creating content that actually drives resultsβthese skills compound. The athlete who's managed five successful local partnerships understands brand value in ways that make them more attractive to bigger deals later.
They're authentic. And authenticity sells. A genuine connection to your community resonates with fans and, eventually, with the bigger brands watching from the sidelines.
The Bottom Line
Nike's Blue Ribbon Elite and the LSU partnership represent the pinnacleβthe top fraction of a percent. They're not the starting line; they're the finish line for a very select few.
Your starting line? It's probably a lot closer to home. And that's exactly where it should be.
Build there first. The rest has a way of following.
The Parent Playbook: Protecting Your Athlete
Based on this week's developments, here are the most important protective measures every parent should implement:
Contract Red Flags Checklist
Contract Language | What It Really Means |
"Liquidated damages equal to remaining contract value" | If your athlete leaves early, they could owe MORE than they received. Georgia is claiming $390K from a player who got $30K. |
"Exclusive rights to athlete's NIL for [X] years" | Your athlete may be blocked from other deals, even if this one pays little. Ask for category exclusivity only, not blanket exclusivity. |
"Percentage of future professional earnings" | DANGER: Some deals claim 15-25% of NFL/pro earnings for decades. A $400K college deal could cost $5M+ over a career. NEVER sign these. |
"Mandatory arbitration clause" | Disputes go to private arbitration, not court. Understand who selects the arbitrator and what rules apply before signing. |
Five Questions to Consider Before Signing Any NIL Deal
What exactly does my athlete owe if they transfer, are injured, or leave the program for any reason? Get specific dollar amounts in writing.
Is this payment contingent on playing time, performance, or staying enrolled at this specific school? Understand all conditions.
Who is actually paying: the school, a collective, or a third-party company? Know who you're contracting with.
What services or deliverables are required in exchange for this payment? Vague terms invite disputes.
Has an independent attorney, not one recommended by the collective, reviewed this contract? Invest in independent legal review.
Protection Strategies for Every Family
Document Everything: Keep copies of all contracts, emails, text messages, and payment records. If a dispute arises, like the Wilson case: documentation is your evidence.
Diversify Income Streams: Don't rely on one collective or one large deal. Multiple smaller partnerships provide stability if one relationship sours.
Understand the Exit BEFORE You Enter: Every contract should have clear termination terms. If you can't understand them, don't sign until you do.
Invest in Independent Legal Review: NIL contract review typically costs $500-$1,500. That investment could save hundreds of thousands in future disputes. Before jumping into a legal review reach out to [email protected] . Our team has a special relationship with SquarePact, who have a tool that easily highlights all potential red flags and expectations in a contract. At this stage we are helping folks better understand if the legal review is truly necessary.
Build Relationships, Not Just Transactions: Aikman's frustration shows that the human element matters. Encourage your athlete to be professional, grateful, and communicative, even when money is involved.
Reality Check: Understanding the NIL Market
The headlines focus on million-dollar deals, but here's what the actual NIL marketplace looks like for most athletes:
By The Numbers | What This Means for Your Family |
Average NIL Deal: Under $1,000 | Most deals are local business partnerships and social media collaborations, not life-changing sums. Set realistic expectations. Remember, anything over $600 has to be reported. |
$35M through NIL Go platform since House settlement | Significant money is flowing, but it's concentrated among top-tier programs and athletes. Don't assume your athlete's school has similar resources. |
$20.5M per year: House settlement revenue sharing cap | Starting 2025-26, schools can directly pay athletes up to this amount. This is separate from NIL, understand the difference. |
~50 athletes in Nike's Blue Ribbon Elite | Major brand programs like Nike's new LSU partnership are elite and selective. Focus on building authentic local partnerships first. |
The Real Value: Skills That Last Beyond Athletics
Here's what smart parents understand: NIL isn't just about money, it's a masterclass in professional development. Even modest deals teach skills that translate directly to post-graduation success:
Contract literacy: Reading, negotiating, and understanding legal documents
Brand management: Presenting a consistent, professional image across platforms
Financial planning: Managing income, understanding taxes, budgeting variable earnings
Relationship building: Working with sponsors, delivering on commitments, maintaining partnerships
Content creation: Understanding social media strategy, audience engagement, and personal branding
Frame NIL as education, not just income. The athletes who approach it this way emerge as more complete, business-savvy individuals: whether they go pro or not.
Looking Ahead: What Parents Should Monitor
Federal Legislation: Multiple bills are pending in Congress. The SCORE Act and related proposals could standardize NIL nationwide, for better or worse.
Wilson Case Outcome: If Georgia prevails, expect more schools to aggressively enforce liquidated damages clauses. This would fundamentally change how transfers work.
Private Equity Expansion: Utah's deal is the first of many. Track which programs secure similar arrangements, they'll have significant competitive advantages.
Revenue Sharing Implementation: Schools are still figuring out how to distribute the $20.5M cap. Distribution models will vary significantly between programs.
Collective Instability: Some programs are moving away from third-party collectives to in-house operations. If your athlete's school makes this shift, their existing deals may be affected.
FREE Contract Analysis for Navigator Families
Upload your athlete's NIL contract and receive AI-powered analysis highlighting key terms, obligations, and red flagsβin plain English. Contact [email protected]Β to access this exclusive partnership benefit.
The Final Whistle:
The NIL landscape is evolving faster than regulations can keep pace. This week's developments: presidential criticism, private equity partnerships, and precedent-setting lawsuits⦠remind us yet again that the rules are still being written.
Your role as a parent is crucial: be the voice of caution when excitement runs high, the advocate for independent legal review, and the reminder that relationships and reputation matter as much as contracts and compensation.
NIL can be a tremendous opportunity for your student-athlete. But opportunity without protection is risk. Stay informed. Stay strategic. Stay involved.
Your athlete's journey is just beginning. Let's navigate it together.
π¬ Pay it forward: Share this newsletter with an athlete, coach, or parent who wants to level up their NIL game
The Helm Newsletter is published weekly for athletes, parents, and coaches navigating the modern student-athlete sports landscape. Have a topic suggestion or question? Reach out to us at [email protected]
Disclaimer: NIL Navigator provides general information and education, not legal advice. For legal matters, please consult a qualified attorney.
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