{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Blake Lawrence - Understanding NIL","description":"Blake Lawrence - Understanding NIL Season 6 Episode 8   Host: Chris Doelle Co-Host: Tim Prukop Guest: Blake Lawrence, CEO & Co-Founder, Opendorse Opendorse CEO Blake Lawrence \u2014 a former starting linebacker at Nebraska whose career ended after four concussions \u2014 joins Tim Prukop to break down what Texas high school coaches need to understand about name, image, and likeness. From knowing your state's rules to what questions recruits should ask on campus visits, this is a practical primer on the business side of modern college athletics. Key Takeaways:  \u2022 What Opendorse Is: A technology platform used by 200,000+ athletes and 200+ campuses to manage NIL deals and endorsements. Started in 2012 working with NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL players associations before expanding into college sports. Processes hundreds of millions of dollars to athletes annually. \u2022 Know Your State Rules First: Can your athletes get paid while still in high school? Can they use school logos or facilities? In Texas, athletes can sign NIL deals with their college commitment but generally can't receive funding until they're on campus. Each state differs \u2014 study your state athletic association's rules before talking to athletes. \u2022 Two Buckets of High School NIL: Commercial NIL \u2014 athletes with a large social following getting paid by brands to promote products (few and far between, small dollars). Collegiate\/Collective NIL \u2014 donors pooling funds to pay recruits for signing with a program, essentially a salary (this is where the big money is). \u2022 Know Your Number: The biggest rookie mistake is not knowing what a recruit at your position, in your conference, should command in a rev share deal. Opendorse offers a free Market Intel report \u2014 request one for any position at any level to benchmark compensation. \u2022 Questions Recruits Must Ask: What's guaranteed vs. potential? One-year or multi-year deal? Is there a buyout? What happens if the coach leaves or the athlete transfers? What additional deals (car, housing, travel credits) can the school's marketing agency secure beyond the base rev share? Schools prefer recruits who don't ask questions \u2014 so ask them. \u2022 NIL Agent Red Flags: There is no such thing as a "certified NIL agent." Anyone can claim the title. For commercial deals (brand partnerships), 20% commission is standard. For rev share contracts, 5\u201310% is the fair range \u2014 anything over 10% is a red flag. Watch out for contracts that sign away marketing rights in perpetuity or that extend beyond college eligibility, which some state laws don't even allow. \u2022 Taxes \u2014 The #1 Financial Literacy Lesson: All NIL income is 1099 independent contractor income. No taxes are withheld. Athletes must save 30\u201340% for the IRS. In-kind value (a $2,000\/month car lease = $24,000 taxable income) also triggers a 1099. The IRS will be "the first one to win big from NIL" through fines and interest from athletes who didn't know they had to pay. \u2022 Gloria Materre's Story: A former foster child who lost both parents before her teens, lived in a car with her sisters, became a top volleyball player at Oregon, and earned enough through NIL in her first three months to buy her first car. A reminder that these dollars change lives beyond what shows up on SportsCenter. \u2022 The Big Picture: NIL is projected to be a $5 billion industry by the end of the decade. College athletes will earn more than every pro sports league except the NFL and NBA. Love it or hate it, it's here \u2014 coaches need to lean in. Resources: \u2022 Opendorse \u2014 main platform \u2022 Opendorse One \u2014 agent referral and representation matching \u2022 Opendorse Market Intel \u2014 free reports on position-specific NIL compensation by conference and level Mentioned in this episode: \u2022 Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) \u2022 University of Nebraska (Lawrence's playing career) \u2022 Bo Pelini, Ndamukong Suh \u2022 Gloria Materre, Oregon Volleyball \u2022 AnSRS (presenting sponsor) Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA): www.thsca.com Texas High School Coaches Association Twitter: @THSCAcoaches @ChrisDoelle Limited sponsorship opportunities are available on the show. Contact Chris Doelle at (713) 269-4620 or email at cdoelle@gmail.com. Subscribe on these great platforms:               ","author_name":"Lone Star Gridiron","author_url":"http:\/\/www.lonestargridiron.com","html":"