Chicago College Athlete Compensation Lawyer

For decades, college athletes were not paid when organizations profited from their namesake and likenesses. But with the Supreme Court’s ruling in Alston v. NCAA, student-athletes became entitled to compensation regarding their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). It was supposed to be a new era of fairness. However, the evolving nature of this new landscape has created serious issues. Many college-level athletes continue to find their NIL used without receiving any payment. If your image is being used to sell tickets, merchandise or promote a brand, and you aren’t seeing the compensation you were promised, or any compensation at all, you should know your rights. The Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline is here to help Chicago-area athletes seek a fair resolution.

The Reality of NIL: More Than Just Autographs

The concept of NIL seems straightforward: you own your identity. If someone wants to use your face, name or reputation to make money, they need to pay you. But for college athletes, the reality is often more complicated.

What Does NIL Cover?

NIL deals come in many forms, not just the headline-grabbing national commercials. They can include:

• Social Media Marketing: Promoting a local restaurant or product on your Instagram or TikTok.
• Merchandise Sales: Jerseys, t-shirts or video games featuring your name or likeness.
• Autograph Signings: Paid appearances at events or memorabilia shows.
• Camps and Clinics: Hosting sports camps for younger athletes using your reputation as a college player.

The problem arises when these uses happen without your consent or compensation. Maybe a local car dealership uses a photo of you in their ad without asking. Or, perhaps the university sells jerseys with your name on the back, but you don’t see a percentage of the sales. This isn’t just part of the game: it’s a violation of your rights of publicity.

Legal Considerations: Why You Might Be Missing Out

Navigating NIL isn’t as simple as signing a contract and cashing a check. The rules are a patchwork of state laws, NCAA interim policies and individual university guidelines. This complexity creates loopholes that some brands or organizations might exploit.

For example, Illinois state law has specific protections for student-athletes, but if you don’t know the specifics, you might sign a deal that limits your future earning potential. Worse, you might be participating in activities where you should be paid but aren’t, simply because no one advocated for you.

The Value of an Employment Lawyer in the NIL Era

You might think you need a sports agent, but in some cases, what you actually need is an employment and discrimination lawyer. This is because the issues often boil down to contract disputes and exploitation.

Here is how the Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline can assist:

• Contract Review: We ensure you aren’t signing away your rights for pennies on the dollar or agreeing to predatory terms.
• Recovering Unpaid Wages: If your NIL has been used without compensation, we fight to get you the money you are owed.
• Protecting Your Eligibility: We help navigate the fine line between getting paid and violating NCAA or university rules that could bench you.
• Fighting Discrimination: We ensure that opportunities are distributed fairly and that you aren’t being exploited based on race, gender or background.

Having a lawyer on your side levels the playing field. Universities and big brands have teams of lawyers protecting their interests. You deserve the same.

Don’t Leave Money on the Field

The era of the “amateur” athlete who generates millions for others while receiving nothing is over. But securing your fair share requires vigilance. Whether it is a local sponsorship gone wrong or a systematic issue with how your university handles merchandise, you have legal avenues to explore.

The future of college sports is moving toward a model where athletes are recognized as the economic engine of the industry. Don’t let your hard work and reputation be exploited during this transition. If you believe you are being undercompensated for your NIL, contact the Law Office of Mitchell A. Kline today.