Athlete Agent vs. Collective Roles

Clarify who does what — agents, collectives, and universities in the NIL ecosystem.

Overlapping roles confuse athletes entering college or the portal.

Agents

Negotiate third-party brand deals, often multi-school or national. Must register in states requiring agent licensure. Typically paid via commission.

Pool donor funds for school-focused activations. Should not unlicensed-negotiate national brand deals requiring agent registration where applicable.

Disclosure, education, sometimes marketplaces — not agents or collective managers.

Athletes should loop agents and compliance into collective deals affecting exclusivity or time commitments.