Do Parents Have to Co-Sign NIL Deals for Minors?

Generally yes — and it's not just a formality. Contract law, not NIL rules, is what puts parents in the loop for athletes under 18, and a parent's signature carries real responsibility.

Why minors' contracts need a parent

In most states, contracts signed by minors are voidable — the minor can generally walk away, which makes companies unwilling to rely on a minor's signature alone. Brands often require a parent or legal guardian co-signature to reduce that risk, but a parent's signature alone does not automatically make a contract enforceable — enforceability depends on state law, the contract terms, and (for athletes) agent-registration and school/association rules, which vary by state. Some state NIL rules and many school policies also require parental consent for NIL activity by minors. For anything beyond trivial value, have a state-qualified attorney and, where relevant, a registered athlete agent review it, and confirm it clears your school/association rules.

What co-signing actually means

• You may be taking on obligations — depending on the contract, a co-signing parent can be personally responsible if the athlete doesn't deliver.
• You're the quality gate. The co-sign requirement exists so an adult reads the deal. Use it: check the compensation, the rights granted, exclusivity, and how the deal ends.
• You can involve a professional. For anything beyond trivial value, a one-hour contract review by a licensed attorney is cheap insurance.

What to check before you sign

• Does the deal comply with your state's high school rules (no school marks, no prohibited categories)?
• Is compensation specific — amount, dates, method — rather than "exposure" or "up to" language?
• How long do the rights last, and can you exit?
• Who handles taxes? (Spoiler: you do.)