NIL Agents, Advisors & Managers: Who Does What and When Do You Need Them?

Building the Right Support Team for Your Athlete Brand

Introduction

In the NIL era, student-athletes are navigating more than just their sport, they’re navigating contracts, brand deals, content creation, taxes, and personal finances. With so much at stake, it’s tempting to hand the keys over to anyone who offers help.

But not all support is created equal. Choosing the right team can mean the difference between building generational wealth or falling into financial chaos. That starts with understanding who does what in your NIL ecosystem.

This article breaks down:

• The core roles of NIL agents, advisors, managers, and attorneys
• When you need each person (and when you don’t)
• What red flags to avoid
• How to build a smart, coordinated team that protects and grows your brand

1. Why You Need a Team in the First Place

Most student-athletes are first-time earners handling:

• Brand negotiations
• Taxes and compliance
• Budgeting and cash flow
• Social media branding
• Contract review
• Public speaking and appearances

Trying to do it alone is not just overwhelming, it’s risky.

A team provides:

• Expertise in areas you’re not trained in
• Protection from scams, overspending, and bad deals
• Structure so you can focus on your sport

But you need to know who’s doing what and why.

2. The NIL Agent: Your Deal-Maker

What they do:

• Secure brand partnerships and endorsement deals
• Negotiate NIL contracts
• Build relationships with companies, collectives, and marketing platforms
• Help grow your market value

Think of them as: Your personal marketing rep and negotiator

🛑 Red flags to watch out for:

• Asking for upfront fees
• Vague experience or unverified clients
• Promising specific deals before you've signed anything

Not disclosing commission structure (industry norm: 10–20% of NIL revenue)

When you need one:

• When you’re regularly fielding NIL offers
• When you want help scaling your brand deals
• When you’re unsure how to price your value

---

3. The Financial Advisor: Your Money Strategist

What they do:

• Create a savings, investment, and cash flow plan
• Help you manage taxes, debt, and budgeting
• Guide you toward long-term financial goals
• Coordinate with CPAs or tax professionals

Think of them as: Your money coach and long-term planner

🛑 Red flags to watch out for:

• No fiduciary obligation (they don’t have to put your interests first)
• Trying to sell you investment products without education
• Not explaining fees or compensation structure

When you need one:

• Once NIL income becomes consistent or exceeds $10K+
• If you want to invest or create a savings plan
• If you’re preparing for taxes or balancing multiple income streams

4. The Business Manager: Your Day-to-Day Operator

What they do:

• Handle day-to-day financial and administrative tasks
• Oversee billing, scheduling, and payments for appearances
• Manage receipts, expenses, and coordination between your team
• Act as the liaison between agent, CPA, and attorney

Think of them as: Your operations lead and back-office support

🛑 Red flags to watch out for:

• No clear list of services
• Overlapping roles with agent or financial advisor (blurred boundaries)
• Lack of financial or accounting background

When you need one:

• If your brand becomes a business with multiple deals and moving parts
• If you’re overwhelmed by paperwork, emails, or logistics
• If you want someone to manage day-to-day flow while you train/play

5. The Attorney: Your Legal Defender and Contract Expert

What they do:

• Review NIL contracts for red flags
• Draft brand partnership agreements, LLC documents, trademarks
• Represent you in disputes or negotiations
• Ensure your rights and image are protected legally

Think of them as: Your legal shield and document interpreter

🛑 Red flags to watch out for:

• Charging high hourly rates without transparency
• No experience in sports, NIL, or entertainment law
• Pushing you to sign contracts you don’t fully understand

When you need one:

• Before signing any major contract
• If you’re setting up a business (LLC, S-Corp, trademark)
• When you’re entering multi-year or high-value deals

6. How These Roles Work Together

The best support teams function like a coordinated business unit, not a set of siloed individuals. Each person has a unique role, but they collaborate to protect and grow your career.

Example of a smart support flow:

• Agent negotiates a deal
• Attorney reviews and edits the contract
• Financial advisor plans how income is used/saved
• Business manager ensures billing and follow-through
• You (the athlete) stay focused on training, school, and branding

7. When Friends and Family Want to Be Your Team

Many athletes feel pressure to let friends or family manage their NIL, especially if they were there from the beginning. That loyalty is admirable, but risky.

Unless they have the expertise, credentials, and ability to be objective, you may be better off finding professionals and offering family/friends support roles (like content creation, marketing, or personal support).

You don’t owe anyone control over your career. You owe yourself protection.

8. The Cost of Waiting Too Long

Delaying your support team might seem cost-effective, but it can cost more in the long run.

Common risks of going solo:

• Signing bad contracts
• Losing track of income and tax obligations
• Underpricing yourself to brands
• Missing opportunities to build real financial security

Early guidance = long-term success.

9. How to Vet and Build Your Support Team

Here’s a checklist for choosing wisely:

Ask:

• What’s your experience with athletes or NIL?
• Who else do you work with (references)?
• How are you compensated? (Flat fee, commission, hourly?)
• Are you a fiduciary? (For financial advisors)

Use resources:

• Your school’s compliance office
• Trusted business mentors or alumni
• Licensed directories (FINRA, State Bar, CFP Board)

Building a strong team is a strategic investment, not a luxury.

10. Conclusion: You’re the Business, Now Build Your Board

You are the brand. You are the business. And like any serious venture, you need a trusted team around you. Don’t wait for problems to start building your support system. Start asking questions. Start setting expectations. Start protecting your future.

Need help evaluating your NIL team or building one from scratch? Let’s talk.