Donald M. Woodard, Esq.
Sports • NIL • Revenue Share • Athlete Representation

Know Before
You Sign.

NIL, Revenue Share & Representation Agreements Can Have Lasting Consequences.

An exciting opportunity can come with a complicated contract.

Whether you’re considering an NIL deal, reviewing a college revenue-sharing agreement, or deciding whether to sign with an agent or other representative, it’s important to understand exactly what you’re agreeing to before you sign.

Donald Woodard, Esq. provides experienced legal counsel to athletes and their families, helping them understand agreements, protect their rights and make informed decisions about their future.

Already have an agreement you need reviewed? Tell us about it.

Donald M. Woodard, Esq.

Donald M. Woodard, Esq.

Managing Partner, Carter+Woodard

Practice areas

Before You Sign, Know What the Contract Actually Says.

A contract may determine how and when you’re paid, how your name, image and likeness can be used, what other opportunities you can accept, how long you’re committed, how much you owe an agent or representative, and what happens if circumstances change.

Donald advises athletes and families on:

NIL

NIL & Endorsement Agreements

  • Compensation
  • Deliverables
  • Exclusivity
  • NIL Usage
  • Intellectual Property
  • Contract Period
  • Termination Rights
REV

Revenue Share Agreements

  • Guaranteed Compensation
  • Payment Terms
  • Conditions
  • Athlete Obligations
  • Contract Duration
  • Rights & Restrictions
REP

Agent & Representation Agreements

  • Fees & Commissions
  • Exclusivity
  • Scope of Representation
  • Contract Term
  • Termination Rights
  • Athlete Obligations

You worked hard to create the opportunity. Make sure you understand the agreement that comes with it.

The question every family asks

Do I Need an Agent, an Attorney, or Both?

It’s an important question, and the answer depends on your situation.

An agent

A sports agent or other representative may help identify opportunities with teams, negotiate business terms, manage relationships and build your NIL opportunities.

An attorney

An attorney’s role is different.

Your attorney should review the legal terms of an agreement, explain the rights and obligations you’re accepting, identify provisions that deserve closer attention, negotiate contract language when appropriate, and help you understand the potential legal consequences before you sign.

And that includes agreements with the people who may represent you.

If you’re considering signing with a sports agent, NIL agent, marketing representative or other advisor, independent legal counsel should review that agreement and help you understand the exact commitment you will be making.

Have questions about an agent or representation agreement?

Donald M. Woodard, Esq.

Donald M. Woodard, Esq.

Managing Partner, Carter+Woodard

Donald Woodard, Esq.

Experience at the Highest Level of NIL.

Donald Woodard is a nationally recognized transactional entertainment and sports attorney who represents high-profile athletes, world-renowned talent and companies in complex commercial transactions.

A recognized thought leader in Name, Image and Likeness, Donald has been at the forefront of protecting and advancing athlete rights as the business of college and high school sports has evolved.

His sports practice has included advising some of the most recognizable athletes of the NIL era, including Ashton Jeanty, Angel Reese and Flau’jae Johnson, and negotiating millions of dollars in NIL, endorsement and sponsorship agreements on behalf of his clients.

His work has included athlete transactions involving major national brands such as Reebok, Puma, Coach, Pepsi, Amazon, Mercedes-Benz and others.

Before co-founding Carter+Woodard, Donald served as Chief Business Affairs/Deputy General Counsel for USA Track & Field, giving him experience with sports business and complex commercial transactions from both inside a national sports organization and as outside counsel to athletes.

Donald has been recognized by leading legal and entertainment publications, including Variety Magazine, Billboard Magazine, and Georgia Super Lawyers.

But experience isn’t only about the size of the deal. It’s knowing what to look for when an athlete and family are presented with a contract.

Client stories

Real Situations. Real Stakes.

Every athlete’s situation is different. But one thing remains the same: The words in the contract matter.

Story one

He Already Had an Agent. His Family Wanted to Know If He’d Made the Right Decision.

A four-star quarterback and his family had concerns about his existing agent relationship and wanted a second look at the representation agreement he had signed.

Story two

Her Son Was a Five-Star Running Back. Then Everyone Started Calling.

After hearing Donald speak at an event, the mother of a highly recruited five-star running back reached out for help.

Story three

He Was Told the Money Was Guaranteed. The Contract Said Something Different.

A college wide receiver came to Donald for help reviewing a revenue-sharing agreement. The athlete had been told he would receive a specific amount of money.

Don’t rely only on what you’ve been told. Know what you’re signing.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every matter is different and depends upon its particular facts and circumstances.

For Parents & Families

They’re Thinking About the Opportunity. You’re Thinking About Everything Else.

Your athlete has worked for years to reach this moment.

Then an NIL opportunity, revenue-sharing agreement or agent contract arrives. Suddenly your family is navigating compensation, exclusivity, commissions, legal rights and contract terms that may be completely unfamiliar.

Sometimes, decisions need to be made quickly.

You don’t have to become an expert in NIL or contract law overnight.

Experienced legal counsel can help your family understand what’s being offered, what’s being required, what questions should be asked and what the agreement could mean beyond the immediate opportunity.

Before your athlete signs, make sure your family understands the agreement.

From a Client Family
“Having Donald on our team minimized so many distractions. We were receiving contracts from agents nationwide, and he helped us cut through the legal jargon and understand our best options.”
— Parent of a Division I Athlete
“He never tried to make the decision for us. He educated us, answered our questions and gave us the information we needed to make the right decision as a family.”
— Parent of a Division I Athlete
“Having someone we trusted looking out for our son’s interests was an incredible relief.”
— Parent of a Division I Athlete
Questions

What Should I Know Before Signing?

Do I need an attorney for an NIL deal?

Not every NIL opportunity is the same. An attorney reviews the legal terms of an agreement, explain your obligations and rights, identify provisions that may deserve further attention and negotiate changes when appropriate.

Agents and attorneys can serve different functions. An agent may focus on sourcing opportunities, relationships and negotiating business terms. An attorney advises you regarding the legal rights and obligations created by an agreement and negotiate contract language on your behalf. Depending on the athlete and situation, those roles may complement one another.

Yes. A representation agreement is itself a contract. Before signing, an athlete may want to understand the representative’s authority, compensation or commission, exclusivity provisions, duration, termination rights and other obligations.

An attorney can review an existing agreement and explain its terms, obligations and available options. What options exist will depend upon the particular contract and circumstances.

Important provisions can include compensation, required deliverables, exclusivity, use of your name, image and likeness, intellectual-property rights, contract term, termination provisions and restrictions involving other opportunities.

Revenue-sharing agreements govern compensation an athlete receives from an institution and the conditions attached to those payments. Understanding exactly when compensation becomes payable, what conditions apply and what obligations the athlete accepts can be important before signing.

Because a stated dollar amount doesn’t necessarily tell you whether payment is guaranteed or what conditions must be satisfied before it is owed. What someone tells you matters. What the written agreement actually requires matters more.

That depends on the language of the particular agreement. Transfer-related provisions, termination rights, payment obligations and other terms should be reviewed in the context of the actual contract.

Tell the firm about the deadline when requesting a consultation so the team can determine whether it can assist within the required timeframe.
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