NCAA Name, Image, and Likeness Lawyer (NIL)

NCAA NIL LawyerAthlete Defender is a law firm and not a sports or marketing agency.

Jason Setchen has been an active attorney for over 25 years and Athlete Defender has worked with collegiate and professional athletes for a lengthy period of time. Mr. Setchen has extensive experience working with student-athletes regarding Name, Image, and Likeness. His work in the NIL space is diverse and therefore provides a unique perspective.

Since the NCAA permitted student-athletes to profit from their Name, Image, and Likeness, Mr. Setchen has worked on countless cases regarding NIL, representing parties from almost every angle of the issue.

Mr. Setchen has represented numerous athletes in NCAA enforcement actions related to potential NIL infractions. In many instances, he has been retained by universities on behalf of student-athletes regarding these enforcement actions, working in cohesion with the student-athletes, compliance officers, and athletic department personnel.

Mr. Setchen also works hand in hand with NIL collectives, including members of the SEC and Big Ten, ensuring their compliance and success within the governing NCAA guidelines.

Furthermore, Mr. Setchen has represented student-athletes in disputes concerning their NIL activities. These disputes include but are not limited to compensation +with their NIL agents regarding contractual obligations, compensation, etc. Mr. Setchen has also represented companies, assisting them in their NIL policies and procedures for use in connection with NIL opportunities.

NIL Opportunities

Signing a Contract for an NCAA Name, Image, Likeness LawyerOpportunities for student-athletes to earn income from their NIL are plentiful and can include participation in product advertisements and placement in print ads, television ads, and with radio appearances as well as billboards. Social media also presents a new frontier for student-athletes to monetize exposure and gain financial opportunity through NIL. Student-athletes may also be in a position to receive appearance fees at stores, venues, and events and may also be able to engage in other ways like participation in autograph signings and offering paid private coaching sessions.

Consulting with an attorney before engaging in any business venture is always recommended whether you are an athlete or a layperson. Engaging in the business of monetizing your NIL is no exception especially because of very real NCAA compliance and eligibility considerations.

If you are a current or prospective NCAA student-athlete and believe that you may be in a position to financially benefit from your NIL now that this groundbreaking NCAA legislation was passed, you should consult with an experienced NCAA attorney.

NCAA Athlete Representation for NIL

Athlete Defender can aid NCAA student-athletes with NIL issues in some of the following ways:

  • Interfacing with school compliance officers and offering support in documenting the NIL relationship to ensure that they are NCAA compliant and do not pose a risk to NCAA eligibility.
  • Representing student-athletes in disciplinary and enforcement actions brought by the NCAA or a member institution in connection with alleged improper usage of NIL or non-compliance with NIL legislation.
  • Providing contract drafting, contract review, and offering legal advice where appropriate when entering into an approved NIL relationship with business partners and/or appropriate third parties.
  • Providing representation and advocacy for student-athletes in all facets of NCAA NIL related compliance and enforcement.
  • Providing assistance and counseling to student-athletes about how to benefit from their NIL in compliance with NCAA Legislation.
  • Drafting and/or reviewing of business documents that will likely accompany NIL related business relationships.
  • Providing legal representation in connection with the collection of money earned but not paid for work performed by a student-athlete by a business partner or third party (Breach of Contract).

Contact Athlete Defender today to schedule a consultation and put Jason and his over 25 years of legal experience to work for you.

Professional Athlete Advocacy and More

Jason Setchen has worked with many professional athletes in all aspects of legal representation.  Jason is not a sports agent and does not provide contract advisory services with respect to professional contracts.  However, Jason has represented professional athletes in disputes with coaches, teams, and leagues and has handled player disputes against agents.  Jason has also successfully handled and defended professional athletes in investigations and administrative disciplinary actions brought forth by teams and leagues.  Athlete Defender advocates for athletes at all levels including at the professional sports level of the administrative process.

About Athlete Defender

Many times athletes find themselves being treated unfairly and feel as though they do not have “a voice” or independent support when encountering a disciplinary or administrative situation with their school, conference or an administrative governing body or league like the NCAA, NFL, NBA or other sports league.

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