Legal Strategies for Representing Today’s College Athletes: Drafting NIL Agreements, Navigating Revenue Sharing, and NCAA Reforms

Jason Belzer | Student Athlete NIL (SANIL)

Jason Belzer is Founder of Student Athlete NIL (SANIL), an agency of record that specializes in assisting brands, universities and student-athletes navigate the new era of name, image and likeness. SANIL manages more than 50 NIL collectives at universities across the country and has negotiated over $75 million in NIL deals. The agency also hosts the annual NIL Summit at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Jason is also founder and President of GAME, Inc., an agency that specializes in the career management and marketing of coaches and the creation of collegiate sporting events. The firm has negotiated more than $100 million in contracts to date. He is also co-founder of AthleticDirectorU, a transformative digital media and professional development platform for college athletic administrators and coaches. ADU is the No. 1 consumed original content publication in the college sports industry.

Belzer graduated from Rutgers University, earning degrees in Sport Management and Political Science. He went on to receive his MBA from the University of Illinois and a JD from Rutgers University School of Law and is a licensed attorney in New York and New Jersey.

Joshua M. Frieser | Frieser Legal

Joshua M. Frieser, Esq. is a sports business lawyer and Principal Attorney at Frieser Legal. His practice is focused on the representation of athletes, agents, sponsors, and sports businesses.

While working to solve the unique legal needs that they have, Josh represents athletes in eligibility and disciplinary proceedings and NIL licensing agreements, as well as in related intellectual property and business planning matters. In addition to serving as counsel to college and professional athletes, Josh represents sports agents and sports industry ventures as outside counsel. Josh also serves as a trusted advisor to sponsors working with athletes and sports properties.

Josh is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin and an active member of its Sports & Entertainment Law Section. He is also a member of the Sports Lawyers Association. Additionally, Josh serves on the Sports Advisory Committee for the American Arbitration Association.

Callan G. Stein | Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

Cal is a nationally recognized attorney who is especially well-versed in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) law. He advises major universities, businesses, and NIL collectives on NIL compliance, contracts, formation, and governance. His clients include Division I athletic programs and institutions navigating complex NCAA regulations, conference realignments, and athlete compensation issues. He co-hosts the firm’s “Highway to NIL” podcast and is an editor for the NIL Revolution blog.

Beyond NIL, Cal is an experienced trial attorney who represents clients in complex civil litigation, RICO cases, and white collar criminal matters. He has tried and arbitrated high-stakes cases involving fraud, money laundering, health care violations, and other federal statutes. He frequently defends clients in highly regulated industries—including health care, higher education, and life sciences—and provides strategic counsel on government investigations and compliance.

Christopher M. Brolley | Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

Chris advises higher educational institutions of all sizes, including colleges and universities, on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compliance issues. He provides comprehensive guidance on permissible and impermissible NIL activities and navigating state NIL laws, NCAA Bylaws, and other NCAA policies. Chris creates and implements tailored strategies for mitigating the potential risk of NCAA and state attorney general enforcement activity. He co-hosts the firm’s “Highway to NIL” podcast and serves as an editor for the NIL Revolution blog. Both platforms explore the dynamic legal landscape and recent developments in NIL law.

In addition to his NIL work, Chris’ diverse practice includes the representation of pharmaceutical, medical device, agricultural, and manufacturing companies involving mass tort, personal injury, and wrongful death claims. With experience in federal and state courts across the U.S. — including Philadelphia County’s Mass Tort Program — Chris is also involved in disputes arising out of breach of contract and corporate governance. Chris maintains an active pro bono practice. He represents veterans seeking benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs in connection with their appeals before The Board of Veterans’ Appeals, working closely with the National Veterans Legal Services Program. Chris also represents clients involved with the Mid-Atlantic Innocence Project (MAIP).

Michael S. Lowe | Troutman Pepper Locke LLP

Michael is a leading voice on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) law. He represents an NCAA Division I athletic conference in the settlement of the House antitrust litigation and advises on NIL issues, compliance, and conference policy. He also counsels a Division I university on NIL matters and conducts investigations into potential violations. Michael regularly writes, speaks, and presents on NIL developments, co-hosts the firm’s Highway to NIL podcast, and serves as editor of the NIL Revolution blog.

In addition to his NIL work, Michael brings nearly 25 years of experience as a federal prosecutor and civil litigator. He has led high-stakes cases involving product liability, securities fraud, class actions, the False Claims Act, and government investigations by the DOJ, SEC, FTC, and state attorneys general. His deep trial experience spans jurisdictions nationwide, particularly in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, and he has conducted numerous sensitive internal investigations across industries including health care, financial services, and crypto.

Stephen E. Vanyo | Law Office of Lloyd Z. Remick

Stephen E. Vanyo is a registered Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Agent for NCAA and High School athletes in several states, and a certified NFLPA Contract Advisor and Agent. His legal practice focuses on supporting athletes and talent in sports, social media, and entertainment, with work that includes intellectual property protection and registration, IP licensing, and contract drafting/negotiation.

Stephen has successfully negotiated NIL, media, and branding agreements across major platforms—most recently for the Hulu docuseries GRAILS, Amazon Prime’s Spy High, and Channel 5 UK’s Back from the Dead: Who Kidnapped Me. He’s also represented clients in the acquisition of a UGC game on the Roblox platform, digital distribution with a major record label, and trademarking and branding strategy for professional musicians and sports figures.

Stephen is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and graduated from Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia. He earned his undergraduate degree Magna Cum Laude from Loyola University Maryland, where he served as Local Music Director for WLOY Loyola Radio. He has been named a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2023–2025), an honor reserved for only 2.5% of attorneys following a rigorous peer-reviewed nomination process. Stephen is frequently quoted in the Philadelphia Inquirer and speaks regularly at entertainment and sports industry events.

Session I – How NIL and the Courts are Transforming the NCAA | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

• Background and history of NIL
• Settlement terms
• The court’s findings and legal reasoning on roster limits, collective bargaining/athlete employment status, antitrust law compliance, and Title IX
• Enforcement and the role of the college sports commission
• The June 13, 2025 Question and Answer Guidance document
• Implications for NIL and the future of the NCAA

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

Session II – Negotiating and Drafting NIL Agreements: Protecting IP, Preserving Value, and Navigating Legal Risk | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

• Drafting NIL agreements that protect long-term brand and IP value
• When NIL agreements require legal representation
• Valuation challenges and compensation structures in NIL deals
• Intellectual property ownership and licensing in NIL agreements
• Enforcing and defending NIL contractual claims
• NIL risk assessment and red flag clauses in third-party agreements

Break | 3:10pm – 3:20pm

Session III – Compensating College Athletes: NIL, Revenue Sharing, and the Legal Landscape Ahead | 3:20pm – 3:50pm

• Legal fallout from House v. NCAA: What the settlement really means for schools, conferences, and athletes, and how it sets the stage for future antitrust and employment litigation
• Structuring athlete revenue share agreements: Legal considerations around employment status, Title IX compliance, tax implications, and collective bargaining rights
• The NIL infrastructure shift: How collectives, marketplaces, and athlete platforms are evolving into full-fledged business units within college sports
• Ethics and conflicts of interest: Key issues for attorneys navigating dual representation, institutional interests, and athlete advocacy

Session IV – Representing the Modern-Day Athlete: NIL’s Impact on the Legal Industry | 3:50pm – 4:20pm

• What is “Real” NIL vs. what is Fake NIL, and how to tell the difference, restrictions on NIL in place for HS athletes.
• Issues of representation, fee structure, risks with Uniform Athlete Agency Act
• House Settlement and impact
• Future of NIL for HS and NCAA athletes, legal issues presented