Helping Families Navigate NIL
Last week, we posted an article about the rise of “street agents” as a result of the money being thrown around by NIL changes. For those of us who work with high school athletes and families, the story felt familiar. It’s another reminder that the recruiting landscape has changed quickly, and it’s getting more complicated every year. So, IECs need to understand how to help families navigate the situation if one of their clients is approached by someone offering this type of service.
A recruiting ecosystem that keeps expanding
Not that long ago, the recruiting process was fairly contained. Most athletes were communicating directly with college coaches, often with the help of their high school or club coaches. Families might lean on a counselor or a trusted mentor to help them think through the decision.
Now the list of voices involved in recruiting has grown.
Athletes may hear from club coaches, private trainers, recruiting services, social media consultants, NIL collectives, marketing representatives, and agents. Some of these people provide real value and expertise. Others operate in a gray area where their incentives are less clear.
For a 16- or 17-year-old athlete and their family, it can be hard to sort out who is offering real guidance and who may simply be chasing a percentage of a future deal.
The information gap facing young athletes
One of the things the article highlights is the experience gap between the people making offers and the teenagers receiving them.
Many high school athletes are encountering conversations about brand deals, commissions, contracts, and representation for the first time. Even families who understand the college admissions process well may have very little experience with the business side of sports.
When someone approaches an athlete promising NIL opportunities or claiming they can “open doors” in recruiting, that can sound incredibly appealing. Especially when the recruiting process itself already feels uncertain.
But these situations often move faster than they should. And that’s where a trusted adult in the room can make a huge difference.
The role IECs can play
Independent Educational Consultants aren’t there to negotiate NIL deals or manage an athlete’s marketing opportunities. But they do play an important role in helping families keep their footing as the recruiting process gets more complicated.
At its core, recruiting is still about finding the right educational environment. The athlete needs a school where they can grow academically, develop athletically, and feel like they belong on campus.
The financial opportunities that come later may be exciting. But they are rarely the foundation of the decision.
IECs can help families slow down and ask better questions. Is this school a good academic fit? Is the coaching staff invested in the athlete’s development? Is the campus a place where the student will thrive for four years?
Those questions are still the ones that matter most.
What IECs can tell families when these situations come up
It’s becoming more common for athletes to be approached by people offering help with NIL opportunities or representation. When that happens, IECs can play a valuable role in helping families think clearly about what they’re being offered.
A few pieces of guidance can go a long way.
First, remind families that legitimate opportunities rarely require rushed decisions. If someone is pushing an athlete to sign something quickly or asking for a percentage of future earnings without clear details, that should raise immediate red flags.
Second, encourage families to verify who they’re dealing with. Are they certified by any organization? Do they have a real track record working with athletes? Are they transparent about how they get paid?
Third, bring the conversation back to recruiting itself. In most cases, NIL opportunities should not be driving the college decision. The athlete still needs to choose a school where they will develop, play, and earn a degree.
And finally, encourage families to involve professionals when necessary. If an athlete is actually presented with a legitimate NIL opportunity, it may be worth consulting an attorney or someone with experience reviewing contracts.
Staying grounded in a changing landscape
The NIL era has created exciting possibilities for college athletes. At the same time, it has introduced new layers of complexity into the recruiting process.
Stories like the one highlighted in Athletic Business are a useful reminder of why experienced guidance matters. High school athletes are stepping into a world that increasingly blends education, athletics, and business.
In that environment, trusted advisors become more important than ever.
Helping families slow down, ask good questions, and stay focused on the long-term picture may be one of the most valuable things an IEC can offer. When recruiting decisions are grounded in fit, development, and education, athletes are far more likely to land in a place where they can succeed both on the field and long after their playing days are over.
