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FOR PARENTS & GUARDIANS

Help your student-athlete see the whole NIL money picture.

NILBudget is a free educational budgeting and cash-flow resource that helps athletes look beyond a deal’s headline amount. It organizes NIL income, estimated tax reserves, professional fees, business costs, spending, savings goals, and what may remain available.

WHY NILBUDGET WAS FORMED

Budgeting is simple in concept—and still easy to ignore.

NILBudget was created by a former student-athlete who wants current student-athletes to have earlier exposure to practical financial information and make better-informed decisions.

A budget is one of the foundations of financial literacy. Yet athletes, like many people, can overlook budgeting—especially when income arrives irregularly, a deal sounds large, or taxes are not withheld before payment.

The goal is not to tell athletes what to do with their money. It is to make the important numbers visible before they spend and to help them prepare better questions for their families and qualified professionals.

“I want current student-athletes to have exposure to this information so they can make better decisions—not discover the impact of taxes and expenses after the money is gone.”

Understand take-home money

Separate gross compensation from agent fees, travel, production, business costs, estimated taxes, and future commitments.

Prepare for taxes

Set an educational tax reserve, organize payments and documents, and recognize when federal, state, local, self-employment, payroll, or multi-state questions need a CPA.

Build a monthly plan

Turn irregular or one-time NIL income into a realistic plan for essential spending, savings, family support, and life after sports.

Share intentionally

Athletes can generate reports for a parent, CPA, financial advisor, attorney, or agent. Adult athletes remain in control of their private information.

WHY TAXES MATTER

A $100,000 deal may not provide $100,000 of spendable cash.

NIL compensation may create federal and state reporting obligations, and some activity may involve self-employment, payroll, noncash compensation, or multiple states. The answer depends on the athlete’s actual facts.

NILBudget makes an educational reserve visible before spending. It does not calculate a guaranteed tax liability or replace tax preparation.

  1. Record the gross amount.Include cash and relevant noncash compensation.
  2. Subtract known commitments.Account for agent, platform, production, travel, and other entered costs.
  3. Protect a tax reserve.Keep reserve funds separate and review the amount with a qualified tax professional.
  4. Budget what remains.Use received cash—not unsigned opportunities—as the basis for current decisions.

How parents can help

  • Encourage the athlete to record every agreement and payment.
  • Discuss the difference between contracted income and cash received.
  • Help identify recurring bills, irregular costs, and family-support boundaries.
  • Encourage a separate tax reserve and timely CPA conversations.
  • Review a report only when the athlete intentionally shares it.
  • Help the athlete build a qualified professional team for important decisions.

FREE FOR ATHLETES

A practical starting point for every student-athlete.

NILBudget is a free resource for athletes, including athletes whose universities are not currently partnered with Athlete Finance League. It gives families a common framework for discussing income, taxes, spending, goals, and next steps.

Learn About NILBudget

Education does not replace professional advice.

NILBudget provides educational information, organizational tools, and simplified estimates. It does not provide financial, tax, legal, investment, accounting, insurance, lending, or compliance advice. Encourage your student-athlete to learn about these topics and consult appropriately qualified professionals—including a CPA or tax professional, financial advisor, attorney, agent, and school compliance office—as applicable.

QUESTIONS FROM A PARENT OR GUARDIAN?

Contact NILBudget.

Feel free to contact me with questions about how NILBudget can support your student-athlete.

info@nilbudget.com