10 Questions a Parent of a Student-Athlete Should Ask a Manager
What experience do you have working with student-athletes, particularly in managing NIL opportunities?
It’s important to understand the manager’s background in handling NIL deals and working with athletes at different levels, especially in navigating the complexities of college sports.How do you help student-athletes identify and secure NIL opportunities?
Ask how the manager finds and negotiates NIL deals for athletes, including whether they have existing relationships with brands, sponsors, and agencies that can benefit your child.How do you ensure that the NIL deals you negotiate are in the best interest of the athlete and not exploitative?
Inquire about the manager’s process for vetting contracts, ensuring fair compensation, and protecting the athlete’s rights to avoid potential exploitation.What is your approach to balancing academics, athletics, and NIL responsibilities for a student-athlete?
Ask how the manager ensures your child’s academic performance and athletic commitments are prioritized, while still maximizing their NIL opportunities without overburdening them.What kind of legal and financial support do you provide or facilitate in relation to NIL contracts?
Find out if the manager provides access to legal or financial advisors who can help with contract review, tax planning, and ensuring compliance with regulations.How do you help student-athletes build and maintain their personal brand over time?
A good manager should guide the athlete in shaping their image, social media presence, and reputation in a way that creates long-term value beyond short-term NIL deals.What strategies do you use to ensure my child’s NIL deals align with their values and career goals?
Ask how the manager ensures that NIL deals reflect your child’s personal values and aspirations, rather than simply pursuing lucrative but potentially misaligned opportunities.How do you handle potential conflicts of interest when negotiating multiple deals or representing several athletes?
Inquire about how the manager avoids conflicts of interest, especially if they’re handling multiple athletes, and how they ensure each athlete receives fair representation.What are your fees, and how are they structured?
Clarify the manager’s compensation structure, whether it’s a flat fee, percentage of earnings, or commission, and ensure that it’s transparent and fair for both parties.How do you handle long-term career planning for athletes, especially after their time in college sports?
Discuss how the manager helps with career transitions, planning for life after college sports, and how they leverage NIL deals to build a foundation for future opportunities, whether in professional sports or other ventures.
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These questions will help ensure that the manager you choose is equipped to help your child make the most of their NIL opportunities while also protecting their interests and long-term career goals.