The Fowlkes Firm Launches Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) & College Sports Law Practice
Protecting College Athletes. Empowering Families. Structuring the Future of College Sports.
The college sports landscape has changed forever.
With the rise of Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) opportunities, college athletes today are no longer just competitors—they are brands, entrepreneurs, and business owners operating in a rapidly evolving and often confusing legal environment. While NIL has created unprecedented opportunity, it has also introduced serious risk for athletes and families who are unprepared to navigate the legal, financial, and contractual realities that come with it.
To meet this moment, The Fowlkes Firm is proud to announce the launch of our NIL & College Sports Law Practice, dedicated exclusively to representing college athletes and their families as they navigate the treacherous terrain of NIL.
Why an NIL-Focused Practice Matters
NIL is not simply about endorsement deals or social media posts. It involves:
Binding legal contracts
Complex tax and entity structures
University and conference compliance rules
State NIL statutes that differ widely
Long-term brand, career, and reputation considerations
Too often, athletes are presented with agreements drafted by sponsors, collectives, or third parties whose interests are not aligned with the athlete’s long-term success. Families are asked to make life-altering decisions without fully understanding the legal consequences.
Our NIL practice exists to change that.
Our Approach: Athlete-First, Family-Centered Representation
At The Fowlkes Firm, we bring a deal lawyer’s precision and a mentor’s perspective to NIL representation. We understand that today’s NIL decision can affect:
An athlete’s eligibility
Professional draft prospects
Financial future
Personal reputation and public image
We work closely with both athletes and families to ensure every decision is informed, strategic, and compliant.
NIL & College Sports Services We Provide
Our practice includes, but is not limited to:
NIL Deal Review & Negotiation
We review, negotiate, and structure NIL agreements to protect athletes from unfair terms, hidden obligations, exclusivity traps, and long-term rights grabs.
Collective & Booster Agreements
We advise athletes on collective arrangements, ensuring clarity around services, compensation, compliance, and termination rights.
Brand & IP Protection
We help athletes protect their name, image, likeness, trademarks, and personal brands—both during and after college.
Compliance Guidance
We assist families in navigating school, conference, and state NIL rules to avoid eligibility issues or inadvertent violations.
Entity Formation & Tax Structuring
For athletes generating meaningful income, we advise on LLC formation, tax considerations, and financial best practices in coordination with trusted advisors.
Long-Term Career Strategy
NIL is not just about now. We help athletes think beyond college—positioning them for professional sports, media careers, entrepreneurship, or life after athletics.
Built for the Modern Athlete
The Fowlkes Firm has extensive experience representing creatives, talent, and entrepreneurs in high-stakes negotiations. That background uniquely positions us to represent college athletes who are entering the marketplace earlier than any generation before them.
We don’t just read contracts.
We anticipate leverage, identify risk, and protect upside.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple:
to ensure college athletes and their families are not outmatched, misled, or taken advantage of in the NIL era.
NIL should be an opportunity—not a liability.
Let’s Talk
If you are a college athlete, parent, or guardian navigating NIL opportunities—or preparing for them—we’re here to help.
The Fowlkes Firm
NIL & College Sports Law Practice
Strategic. Protective. Athlete-First.
📩 Contact us to schedule a confidential consultation