Name, Image and Likeness (NIL)

Services Provided by the TX NIL Lawyer and GA NIL Lawyer

Our primary focus is on representing student-athletes and their parents in Texas and Georgia, ensuring that their rights and interests are protected when presented with NIL contracts. Our services include:

• Contract Review and Negotiation by the TX NIL Lawyer and GA NIL Lawyer: We meticulously review NIL contracts to ensure they are fair and beneficial. We then negotiate terms on behalf of the athlete to maximize the value and protect their future.
• How the TX NIL Lawyer and GA NIL Lawyer Provide Legal Guidance and Support: Our team doesn’t just provide legal advice, we offer ongoing support through education and constant communication to help student-athletes understand their rights and obligations under NIL agreements.
• Compliance and Risk Management by the TX NIL Lawyer and GA NIL Lawyer: We ensure that all NIL agreements comply with state and federal regulations, minimizing the risk of legal issues down the line.
• Does the TX NIL Lawyer Protect Your Brand Protection? : Absolutely! We are dedicated to helping student-athletes build and protect their personal brand. We ensure that their name, image, and likeness are used appropriately and profitably, providing a shield for their personal brand.

Eligibility Rules

The TX NIL Lawyer and GA NIL Lawyer know that it is critical for student-athletes to understand and comply with eligibility rules. In Texas and Georgia, student-athletes must adhere to specific guidelines to maintain their eligibility:

• Texas: The eligibility rules for student-athletes in Texas to take advantage of name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals are primarily governed by Sec. 51.9246. Compensation and Professional Representation of Student Athletes Participating in Intercollegiate Athletic Programs. According to this statute, student-athletes participating in intercollegiate athletic programs at applicable institutions cannot be disqualified from eligibility for scholarships, grants, or similar financial assistance awarded by the institution due to earning compensation from the use of their name, image, or likeness when not engaged in official team activities. Additionally, they are allowed to obtain professional representation, including by an attorney licensed in Texas (i.e., the TX NIL Lawyer), for contracts or other legal matters related to their NIL deals.  

  Furthermore, institutions cannot prescribe team contracts that prohibit or prevent student-athletes from using their NIL for commercial purposes when not engaged in official team activities. However, any use of the student-athletes NIL must comply with the institution’s requirements, including licensing, and the institution must be compensated at market rates for such use.

  Sec. 51.9246. Compensation and Professional Representation of Student Athletes Participating in Intercollegiate Athletic Programs.

  Lastly, under Sec. 2051.002. Participation in Intercollegiate Sports Contests., an athlete is ineligible to participate in intercollegiate sports contests if they declare eligibility for recruitment by a professional sports team or have concluded their final intercollegiate sports contest in their final year of eligibility Sec. 2051.002. Participation in Intercollegiate Sports Contests. These statutes collectively ensure that student-athletes can benefit from NIL deals while maintaining their eligibility for intercollegiate sports and financial assistance, provided they adhere to the outlined regulations and institutional requirements.

• Georgia: In Georgia, student-athletes are allowed to profit from the use of their name, image, or likeness (NIL) without it affecting their scholarship eligibility. 

  Furthermore, a student-athlete’s scholarship cannot be revoked or adversely impacted due to earning compensation from NIL deals. However, team contracts may include a pooling arrangement where student-athletes contribute a portion of their NIL compensation to a fund benefiting former student-athletes from the same institution, with certain conditions such as not requiring more than 75% of the compensation to be contributed. O.C.G.A. Section 20-3-681. 

  Additionally, the Code prohibits any person from entering into or soliciting transactions with student-athletes if it would likely cause them to lose their athletic scholarship eligibility or the ability to participate in intercollegiate sports. This section also outlines exceptions, such as transactions involving immediate family members or those not exceeding $250 in value annually. O.C.G.A. Section 20-2-317.  

  Lastly, any agency contract signed by a student-athlete must include a conspicuous notice warning that signing the contract may result in the loss of eligibility to compete as a student-athlete, and it must be reported to the athletic director within 72 hours. O.C.G.A. Section 43-4A-15 

Why Choose Us?

• Expertise in Brand Partnership Deals: Our attorneys have extensive experience in brand partnership deals and a deep understanding of the Texas NIL landscape and Georgia NIL landscape.
• Personalized Service: We offer tailored legal solutions to meet the unique needs of each student-athlete and their family.
• Commitment to Excellence: We are dedicated to providing the highest level of legal representation and support.

Contact the TX NIL Lawyer and GA NIL Lawyer 

If you or your child is a student-athlete in Texas or Georgia and needs assistance with a NIL contract, contact The Hay Law Group today. Let us help you navigate the complexities of NIL agreements and protect your future.