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NIL Lawyer for Student-Athletes and Families in California

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Protecting Young Athletes Before They Sign

Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities are reshaping youth, high school and college sports — sponsorships, endorsements, social media partnerships, camps, appearances and long-term brand development. But NIL also creates real risk. Families are often approached by agents, brands, collectives, schools and consultants before they fully understand the contract terms, eligibility rules, tax consequences or long-term impact of what they're being asked to sign. A young athlete's first agreement can shape not only a season, but an entire career.Spiller Law advises California student-athletes and their families on NIL agreements, agent contracts, endorsement deals, business formation, intellectual property and long-term brand protection — serving as an independent legal advisor whose only job is to protect the athlete's interests, not the brand's, the agent's, or the school's.

NIL Contracts We Review and Negotiate

  • NIL endorsement and sponsorship agreements

  • Agent and marketing representative agreements

  • Social media and influencer contracts

  • Appearance, camp and clinic agreements

  • Brand ambassador, licensing and merchandise deals

  • Revenue-sharing arrangements

  • LLC formation and athlete business structures

  • Trademark, copyright and brand protection issues

  • Parent, minor and guardian consent issues

 

Our role is to slow the process down, translate what's being offered into plain English, flag red flags, and help the family negotiate from a position of strength.

Why Families Choose Spiller Law

Lindsay Spiller, founder of Spiller Law, is a former sports agent, entertainment lawyer, and startup and business attorney. He has advised athletes, founders, producers, investors and creators on high-stakes contracts, financing, licensing, intellectual property and career-defining business decisions.

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That background matters because NIL isn't just sports law — it's contract law, entertainment law, brand licensing, tax planning and corporate structuring, often all in the same deal.

Red Flags to Watch For Before You Sign

  • Long-term exclusivity or automatic renewal

  • Broad commission rights or rights to future earnings

  • Use of the athlete's name, image or likeness beyond a single campaign

  • Restrictions on working with other brands or representatives

  • Unclear or one-sided termination rights

  • Compensation tied to recruiting or athletic performance

  • Use of school logos, uniforms or trademarks

  • Ambiguous eligibility, school or team implications

 

A contract that looks simple on its face can quietly affect eligibility, recruiting leverage, or future sponsorship and representation options.

NIL Legal Services for California Families

Spiller Law represents families throughout California, including San Francisco, the Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles and Southern California — working with high school athletes, college athletes and emerging elite athletes who are beginning to receive commercial opportunities.

NIL Contract Review

Plain-English review of proposed NIL agreements, explaining the key business and legal terms before you sign.

Agent and Representative Agreement Review

Clarifying the difference between an agent, manager, marketing representative and brand advisor, and reviewing proposed commission structures and exclusivity obligations.

Negotiation

Negotiating clearer payment terms, narrower rights grants, and stronger termination protections for the athlete and family.

Athlete Business Formation

Advising on whether an LLC or other business structure makes sense once an athlete's NIL income becomes significant.

Brand and IP Protection

Trademark, copyright and licensing strategy for athletes who are building a public identity.

Long-Term Career Planning

Evaluating NIL opportunities against the athlete's full arc — high school, college, professional sports, and life after competition.

The Legal Landscape Is Changing Quickly

California's Fair Pay to Play Act (SB 206) was the first state law to let college athletes profit from their NIL, and it helped trigger similar laws now in place across most states. Since then, the NCAA's rules, the 2025 House v. NCAA settlement, and new federal actions have continued to reshape how NIL income, revenue-sharing and eligibility interact for college athletes — and, increasingly, for high school athletes as well. Because the rules vary by state and continue to change, families should get current legal guidance before signing anything rather than rely on last year's rules.

Speak With an NIL Lawyer Before You Sign

Before your child signs an NIL agreement, agent agreement or endorsement contract, talk to independent counsel who understands sports, entertainment, contract and business law.

Contact Spiller Law to schedule a consultation about NIL contracts, agent agreements and student-athlete representation.

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This page is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. NIL and NCAA rules vary by state and change frequently — consult an attorney regarding your specific situation.

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