Hey All-Stars and Brand-Builders,
What a week! The NIL landscape just shifted dramatically with Michigan becoming the 46th state to allow high school athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness. Meanwhile, Congress continues battling over the SCORE Act, the College Sports Commission has now cleared over $127 million in deals, and HBCU programs are proving that NIL education doesn't have to wait for the big conferences.
Welcome back to The Helm, your strategic command center for navigating the NIL era. Let's dive in.
BREAKING: Michigan Expands High School NIL
On January 27, 2026, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Representative Council unanimously approved expanded "Personal Branding Activities", making Michigan the 46th state to permit some form of high school NIL. This is effective immediately.
What's Now Permitted:
Social media endorsements and promotions
Personal appearances and photo sessions
Autograph signings and merchandise sales
Modeling and advertising opportunities
Use of name, image, or likeness in marketing materials
⚠️ CRITICAL RESTRICTIONS NO school/booster/coach involvement in soliciting, negotiating, or arranging deals NO use of school names, logos, mascots, uniforms, or trademarks NO group activities, collectives, or pay-for-play arrangements NO deals on school grounds, during school hours, or at MHSAA events NO performance-based inducements or recruiting incentives ALL deals must be disclosed to MHSAA within 7 days for approval |
🧭 Navigator Insight MHSAA Executive Director Mark Uyl emphasized: "This is the essence of what NIL was supposed to allow in the first place." Michigan watched other states implement broader rules that later required tightening, learning from their mistakes. The impact will be minimal (officials estimate <1% of Michigan's 275,000+ athletes will monetize meaningfully), but for elite prospects, this levels the playing field with states like Ohio and Florida. |
Player Spotlight: Dakota Guerrant's Lesson in Priorities
Here's a story that reminds us what really matters.
Dakota Guerrant, a junior wide receiver at Harper Woods High School, is one of Michigan's most highly-touted prospects, recording over 1,600 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns last season with 47 college offers on the table. He filed a lawsuit against the MHSAA in November 2025, challenging rules that prevented athletes from monetizing their talents while other students (like musicians) could freely profit from theirs.
The kicker? Guerrant turned down endorsement deals exceeding $100,000, including offers from national brands, and recruitment overtures from Ohio programs and IMG Academy. Why? To stay close to family.
"Money ain't that deep," Guerrant said. "Family is deeper."
Upon the MHSAA announcement, Guerrant was excited: "They did it, finally... I'm really excited. Michigan has a lot of high-profile kids... why not try this and get this for all the community."
🧭 Navigator Truth Guerrant's story illustrates what we preach every week: NIL isn't just about chasing the biggest check. It's about building something sustainable while staying true to your values. The athletes who understand this will thrive long after their playing days end. |
College Sports Commission: $127M+ in Deals Cleared
The College Sports Commission just released its January 2026 Deal Flow Report, and the numbers tell an important story about where NIL is heading:
Metric | Value |
Total Deals Cleared | 17,321+ |
Total Value | $127+ Million |
New Deals (Since November) | 5,146 deals / ~$40M |
Average Deal Value | ~$3,000+ |
Athletes in Non-Revenue Sports | Nearly 50% |
This transparency infrastructure represents the most comprehensive compliance system in NIL's history. Every transaction over $600 must flow through the NIL Go platform for "fair market value" verification, a direct response to concerns about inflated deals masking recruitment payments.
🧠 Coach's Corner For coaches completing their NCAA-mandated NIL certification: these numbers matter. Understanding deal flow patterns helps you guide athletes toward legitimate opportunities while avoiding the red flags that could jeopardize eligibility. The $3,000+ average deal value demonstrates that most NIL activity is modest and local, not the million-dollar headlines you see in sports media. |
HBCU Spotlight: Texas Southern Hosts Groundbreaking NIL Summit
On January 23, 2026, Texas Southern University partnered with B.E. Collective+ and ABC Sports Foundation to host the "Inside the NIL: Sports Business & Athlete Empowerment Summit," delivering hands-on education to over 100 student-athletes.
What made this summit special? A live NIL Content Challenge where athletes created real marketing content for Houston-based Black-owned streetwear brand DC Apparel. The winner received an actual micro-deal, proving that NIL education doesn't have to be theoretical.
"Texas Southern student-athletes deserve access to the same level of education, protection, and opportunity as any major program in the country," said Dr. Jafus Kenyatta Cavil, Professor of Sports Management at TSU.
🧭 Navigator Insight B.E. Collective+ is scaling this model across HBCUs nationwide, Hampton University (Jan 29), Southern University (April 11), and more. This matters because NIL solutions weren't originally created with HBCU culture, campuses, or lived experiences in mind. Programs that provide immediate, tangible NIL experience while teaching brand storytelling create athletes who are ready for the marketplace. |
Legislative Landscape: The SCORE Act Saga Continues
Congress ended 2025 with the SCORE Act stalled on the House floor after Democratic opposition and four Republican defections. The bill, which would establish federal NIL standards, faced criticism as the "Lane Kiffin Protection Act" amid controversy around its timing during LSU's coaching transition.
House leaders plan to retry in the coming weeks, but the path forward remains complicated by debates over Title IX implications, booster influence, and whether athletes should be classified as employees.
Key Pressure Points to Watch:
1. Title IX Enforcement: Critics warn the bill could trigger a "Title IX backslide" in women's sports equity
2. Booster Influence: Questions about big-money donors shaping legislation for competitive advantage
3. State vs. Federal Control: Whether federal standardization helps or hurts athletes in athlete-friendly states
Meanwhile, Senator Josh Hawley is advocating for something bigger: universal NIL rights for every American, control over your image, data, and online presence in the age of AI.
🧭 Navigator Truth Whoever wins this legislative battle will fundamentally reshape how you monetize your talent. Federal standardization might bring clarity, but it could also limit opportunities currently available in athlete-friendly states. Stay informed, this isn't abstract policy; it directly impacts your earning potential. |
🚨 SCAM ALERT: Protect Your Athletes
The Carson City School District recently issued warnings about the "NIL Club" app, a fraudulent scheme targeting high school athletes via text message. The app solicits participation in "booster activities" while hiding subscription fees and recurring charges.
🚩 Red Flags to Watch For • Unsolicited texts or DMs offering NIL opportunities • Requests for financial information upfront • Hidden subscription fees or recurring charges • Pressure to sign quickly without review • Vague descriptions of services or deliverables • No verifiable business presence or track record |
Parents: Require your involvement in any NIL discussions. Never let your athlete provide personal or financial information to unverified platforms. When in doubt, verify through your school's compliance office or reach out to us at NIL Navigator.
📈 The Diversification Opportunity
Here's news that should excite every athlete outside football and men's basketball: The College Sports Commission's January 2026 report revealed that nearly half of the 10,800+ unique student-athletes who've cleared NIL deals are in sports outside the traditional revenue generators.
Recent Non-Traditional Sport Deals:
• T-Mobile partnering with track & field athletes
• SeatGeek signing women's basketball players
• Regional brands like Clean Eatz partnering with Texas A&M athletes across multiple sports
🧭 Navigator Insight NIL isn't reserved for five-star recruits and Heisman candidates. The athletes who build authentic personal brands, regardless of sport, create opportunities that headline-chasers miss. Focus on genuine storytelling, consistent content, and partnerships that align with your values. Your sport may not be on ESPN every Saturday, but your story is still marketable. |
This Week's Action Items
For Parents ✓ If you're in Michigan, review the new MHSAA rules at mhsaa.com and have a family conversation about appropriate opportunities ✓ Audit your athlete's social media for any suspicious DMs or "NIL opportunity" messages ✓ Research state-specific rules, they vary dramatically. Know your landscape before your athlete commits anywhere ✓ Understand that NCAA rules now require disclosure of high school NIL activity to college programs during recruitment |
For Student-Athletes ✓ Build your brand authentically NOW, even high school juniors are creating pathways to recruitment through strategic positioning ✓ Focus on personal storytelling, not follower count. Brands want connection, not just reach ✓ Document everything: posts, appearances, services provided. This protects you when compliance questions arise ✓ If you're offered a deal, never sign without independent legal review, reach out to us for resources |
For Coaches ✓ Complete your NCAA NIL certification if you haven't already (deadline: November 6, 2026) ✓ Understand that your NIL competency directly impacts your athletes' earning potential, and increasingly, your job security ✓ In high school sports: ZERO involvement in athlete NIL activity. Any facilitation risks your school's membership and athlete eligibility ✓ Stay informed about legislative developments, the SCORE Act's fate will reshape your entire operating environment |
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The Final Whistle
This week reminded us that the NIL era continues to expand, from high school fields in Michigan to HBCU campuses in Houston to the halls of Congress. The landscape is maturing, but it's still being written.
The athletes, parents, and coaches who win in this environment are the ones who:
Stay informed about regulatory changes before they happen
Build authentic brands that transcend institutional arrangements
Protect themselves with documentation and professional guidance
Remember that values matter more than quick cash, just ask Dakota Guerrant
NIL Navigator exists to be your compass through this complexity. When rules change, when opportunities shift, when scammers emerge, we're here to help you navigate, adapt, and ultimately dominate.
You're not just an athlete, you're a brand in motion.
Stay strategic. Stay authentic. Stay ready.
Game on,
The NIL Navigator Team.
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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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