The NIL Pro Bono Project at New York Law School
Last Updated on March 3, 2024
In response to the continuously evolving regulations surrounding name, image, and likeness, a dedicated team of law students from New York University School of Law, under the leadership of attorney Dan Lust, established the “NIL Pro Bono Project.”
The project started primarily as an educational resource for athletes, providing free consultation to help athletes navigate varying NIL regulations at the university, state, and NCAA levels. Over the course of the 2023-24 academic year, the group has broadened its services by focusing on recruiting athletes, supporting them in finding NIL deals, and facilitating the execution of the contracts.
The project began during the summer of 2022 and currently consists of approximately thirteen law students. Lust is also a practicing attorney, sports law professor at NYLS, and podcast host and managing editor of Conduct Detrimental. The group provides all of its services free of charge and operates with no direct affiliation with the NCAA or any collegiate athletic department.
To date, the group has worked with an impressive roster of athletes including a wide receiver from the University of South Carolina, an offensive lineman from Boise State, a linebacker from Indiana University, a catcher from UC Davis, and players from other Power Five schools such as Iowa, Miami, and Louisville.
The project goes beyond simple contract review to assist athletes with many aspects of NIL. For example, Ben Radisch, a 3L law student at NYLS who serves as President of the NIL Pro Bono Project, says he worked with one player for months through brand building, graphic design and outreach to local businesses in order to secure a deal with a local restaurant.
“All these initiatives are borne out of the diligent efforts of our project members who leverage their creativity, legal acumen, and educational backgrounds to adopt a distinct approach to NIL,” said Radisch.
The students are also developing template contracts that incorporate vital provisions for NIL agreements. This comprehensive document consists of three main components: a general template for essential contractual provisions; an explanation of the provisions in simple terms along with its implications for NIL deals; and a list of pros and cons detailing how each provision could potentially impact the athletes. The objective is to offer college athletes a clear and accessible overview of what their NIL contracts should entail.
Red Flags in Contracts for Content Creators: What You Need to Know
The law students predominantly reach out to individual athletes through direct messages on Instagram to make them aware of the project. There is also a NIL Pro Bono Project inquiry form athletes can fill out if they’re interested in being assisted.
Through the NIL Pro Bono Project, the students aim to create meaningful relationships with the athletes while aiding them in achieving their NIL objectives and providing clarity on the intricacies of NIL law.
