Athlete & Family Counsel

NIL Contract Review for Ohio Athletes and Families

An NIL deal is a business contract, and the time to review it is before you sign. J Barrow Legal reviews NIL agreements for college and high school athletes and their parents so that the family understands what the athlete is giving, what the athlete will be paid, and what Ohio law and athletics rules require.

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When Athletes and Families Call Us

A brand, local business or collective has sent a contract and wants a signature this week
A high school athlete has received an offer, and the family needs to understand OHSAA reporting and the parent affirmation
A deal was not cleared in NIL Go, and the athlete must decide whether to revise it, cancel it or seek arbitration
A school has offered a revenue-sharing or NIL agreement, and the athlete wants to understand it before committing
An athlete is transferring into or out of an Ohio school while NIL agreements are still running
A contract includes broad exclusivity, a morality clause or a perpetual license to photos and video
An athlete under 18 has been asked to sign without a parent's written consent

How J Barrow Legal Helps

What the review delivers

Contract review engagements may be scoped to include a written assessment of material risks and proposed revisions, with negotiation available when separately agreed. The scope and fee are confirmed before work begins.

Line-by-line review

We read the full agreement, including exhibits and incorporated policies, and explain in plain English what the athlete is promising, what is paid and when, and how the deal can end.

Rules and reporting check

We flag terms that may conflict with Ohio Rev. Code Chapter 3376, school sponsor agreements, OHSAA bylaws or College Sports Commission standards, and we help the family plan the required disclosures.

Terms worth changing

We identify the provisions that matter most, such as exclusivity, term, termination, content usage, approval rights, morality clauses and payment or clawback terms, and we prepare proposed revisions for the athlete and family to use with the other side.

Family and tax coordination

We walk parents through the consent requirements that apply to minors and coordinate with the family's tax professional on self-employment income and recordkeeping.

Clear boundaries

J Barrow Legal provides independent legal advice, contract review and negotiation of contractual terms where included in the engagement and permitted under applicable law and governing sports regulations. The firm does not procure athletic employment, solicit playing contracts or market athletes as an agent. Where a matter requires registered or certified agent services, we coordinate with appropriately qualified professionals.

Experience: Athlete-Focused NIL Contract Counsel

Jazmyn Barrow advises athletes and families evaluating NIL, marketing and school compensation agreements. Her review extends beyond the stated payment terms to the full effect of the proposed arrangement: how the athlete's identity may be used, which opportunities may be restricted and what obligations continue after the agreement ends. Depending on the engagement, her work may include a written risk assessment, targeted contract revisions and negotiation, with attention to applicable eligibility and reporting requirements.

Meet Jazmyn Barrow

What to Review Before Signing an NIL Agreement

Payment terms should be clear before anything is signed. The athlete should understand how much of the compensation is fixed rather than contingent, when it is payable, which deliverables trigger payment and whether any repayment or clawback provisions apply.

The value of an NIL agreement depends as much on the rights the athlete grants as on the compensation the athlete receives. A contract should identify which name, image and likeness rights are licensed, who may use the athlete's content, whether sublicensing is permitted and when the rights end, because broad or perpetual rights may substantially affect future opportunities.

Exclusivity can conflict with other commitments. For that reason, category restrictions, school sponsorship arrangements, conflicting endorsements and approval requirements should be evaluated before the athlete agrees to promote a product or service.

Some deals carry eligibility and reporting obligations. College NIL agreements may trigger school disclosure requirements and, when applicable, reporting through the College Sports Commission's NIL Go system. Ohio high school athletes must also comply with the applicable OHSAA rules.

Ohio law restricts certain terms in college NIL agreements. The restricted terms include provisions concerning contract duration, post-eligibility rights and dispute resolution (Ohio Rev. Code 3376.14). Athletes should also evaluate termination rights, transfer-related obligations and the consequences of ending a relationship.

Agreements involving minors call for added care. Consent, responsibility for performance and payment arrangements all deserve particular attention when the athlete is a minor. Where appropriate, legal review should be coordinated with financial, tax and other professional advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to review an NIL contract in Ohio?

Legal representation is not generally required before signing an NIL agreement, but the agreement creates binding obligations that can affect an athlete's compensation, use of their identity and future opportunities. Ohio imposes specific restrictions on certain NIL agreements involving college athletes, while high school athletes must comply with separate eligibility and reporting requirements. Independent legal review helps the athlete and family evaluate those requirements alongside exclusivity, licensing rights, termination provisions and other material contract terms.

Does every NIL deal have to be reported?

It depends on the athlete's level of competition and the value of the deal. NCAA Division I athletes generally must report qualifying third-party NIL agreements valued at $600 or more through NIL Go within five business days, subject to applicable rules for aggregated payments, incoming athletes and transfers. Ohio college athletes may also have pre-signing disclosure obligations under state law (Ohio Rev. Code 3376.06), and Ohio high school athletes are subject to separate OHSAA reporting requirements.

Can a minor sign an NIL contract in Ohio?

Yes, with parental involvement. A college athlete under 18 may sign a paid NIL contract only with a parent's, guardian's or custodian's written consent (Ohio Rev. Code 3376.13), and Ohio high school athletes must submit a notarized affirmation signed by the student and a parent when reporting a deal to OHSAA. Parents should read the full contract, because their signature may create obligations of their own.

Can an NIL contract last after college?

Not for Ohio college athletes. Since March 20, 2026, an NIL contract may not extend beyond the athlete's intercollegiate eligibility or require the athlete to give up compensation or rights after eligibility ends, and a contract that violates those limits is void (Ohio Rev. Code 3376.14).

Is NIL money taxable?

Yes. The IRS treats NIL income, including non-cash payments such as products, as taxable, and most athletes are treated as self-employed. That generally means self-employment tax, careful records and possibly quarterly estimated payments, so families should involve a tax professional early.

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Former AmLaw 100 Shareholder
Licensed in Ohio Since 2009
Member, Ohio State and Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Associations
Board of Directors, Care Alliance Health Center