FAQ
Questions, answered.
NIL basics
What is NIL?
NIL stands for name, image and likeness. It is your right to earn money from your own name and personal brand through sponsorships, social media posts, appearances, merchandise and other business deals, while you keep playing.
Who can join NIL Superstar?
Athletes at every level: high school, junior college, NAIA, NCAA Divisions I, II and III, club and AAU, and pro. Cheerleading, band, pep squads, esports, ROTC and other campus participants can join too, where school rules allow. You must be at least 13, and athletes under 18 need a parent or guardian to approve the account.
What are the basic NIL rules?
NIL deals must pay you for real work, like a post, an appearance or the use of your image. A deal can never be pay-for-play, a reward for athletic performance, or an incentive to enroll at a school. Your state and your school or athletic association may add their own rules, and you may need to report deals to your school.
Money
Does NIL Superstar take a cut of my deals?
No. You keep 100 percent of every brand deal. Brands pay us for software and advertising, and we never charge a fee or percentage on any deal.
Who negotiates my deals?
You do. Athletes under 18 negotiate with a parent or guardian. NIL Superstar is a marketplace, not an agent, so we never negotiate for you or hold deal money.
Is NIL income taxable?
Yes. NIL income, including free products, is taxable. Keep records of every deal and payment, and talk to a tax professional. Money Smarts lessons cover the basics.
Can NIL income affect my scholarship or financial aid?
It can. NIL income may reduce need-based aid such as Pell Grants. NIL earnings are separate from athletic scholarships, but rules vary by school, so check with your compliance and financial aid offices.
How do merch royalties work?
Sports Media designs your logo, sets up your store, and handles printing, shipping and returns. You earn a royalty on every sale, shown on your dashboard and paid monthly. Rookie stores start with 5 products, All-Star with 20, and SuperStar adds an art store.
High school and parents
Can high school athletes do NIL?
In most states, yes, under rules set by the state high school association. A few states do not allow it yet. Written parent or guardian approval is required for all NIL activity, and school logos, uniforms and facilities can never be used.
What does a parent or guardian do?
Approve the account, review every opportunity, and stay involved in communication with brands. Profiles of athletes under 18 stay private to brands and out of search engines.
Growth
Can I intern with Sports Media?
Yes. Sports Media runs internships across more than 20 departments, from media and marketing to technology and sports business, so you can build career skills while you build your brand.
How do I promote my store and profile?
Every plan includes our social media manager, so you can schedule posts and share your store and profile across your accounts from one place.
Can I use my school's logo or uniform?
No. School, conference and league logos and uniforms belong to them. Your NIL Superstar logo is designed just for you, and you own it.
Still have a question? Call our AI agent any time at (970) 452-0696 or visit Contact.