One of the hardest parts about being the parent of a high school or college athlete right now is that everything seems to be constantly changing. NIL rules for high school athletes vary from state to state, and the Protect College Sports Act could bring even more significant changes to college sports. The rules that we know today might not even be close to the same six months from now.
It can feel overwhelming, especially because no generation of parents has really gone through this before. There was no NIL roadmap for families five or ten years ago, so parents today are learning as they go and taking things year by year. The important thing to remember is that parents do not need to have all of the answers themselves. Here are five ways parents can stay informed about NIL while their athlete is protected.
1. Find a few sources you trust.
There is a lot of information about NIL online, and trying to follow all of it can quickly become overwhelming. You do not need to read every article or react to every headline. Find a few reliable sources that explain changes in a way you understand and turn to them when you have questions. This can help you stay informed without feeling like NIL needs to become another full-time job.
2. Know who you can ask for help.
Parents do not need to become lawyers, accountants, financial advisors, or social media experts. These areas can be complicated, and one mistake could potentially cost an athlete money, impact their eligibility, or even affect future opportunities and deals. Having trusted people in the legal, financial, branding, and social media spaces can take some of that pressure off parents while helping athletes make more informed decisions.
3. Focus on what your athlete can control.
Rules are going to change, but there are plenty of things your athlete can work on regardless of what happens next. They can build a personal brand that shows who they are outside of their sport, including their personality, interests, values, and story. A professional brand can focus more on the future, including career goals, building a presence on LinkedIn, and connecting with professionals in industries that interest them. These are things athletes can control today and can help create opportunities during and after their playing career, regardless of how NIL rules change.
4. Talk about NIL before an opportunity happens.
You do not have to wait until a contract is sitting in your athlete's inbox to start talking about NIL. Have simple conversations about what types of opportunities might interest them, what businesses they would feel comfortable working with, who should review a contract, and who they should talk to before agreeing to anything. Having a basic plan ahead of time can make things feel much easier when a real opportunity comes along.
5. Give yourself some grace.
This is new for everyone, and there is no perfect roadmap for navigating NIL. Asking questions, getting help when you need it, and learning alongside your athlete is part of the process. You are not expected to understand every new rule or have an immediate answer every time something changes.
High school and college sports will continue to evolve over the next five or ten years. There will be new rules, new opportunities, and probably a few things nobody sees coming. Instead of trying to prepare for every possible change, focus on building a strong foundation around your athlete now. Stay informed, know who you can turn to, focus on what your athlete can control, and be prepared when opportunities arrive.
