How to check a collective is legitimate
Last reviewed Oct 31, 2026
Key takeaways
- Start from the school's official athletics site.
- Check the collective's own site for who runs it and how money is used.
- Be cautious of anyone asking for upfront fees from athletes.
Steps
1. Search the school's official athletics site for NIL or collective announcements. 2. Visit the collective's website and read its about, terms and FAQ pages. 3. For nonprofits, look up the organization's tax-exempt status with the IRS. 4. Ask the school's compliance office whether the entity is known to them.
What a NILList Verified badge means
Verified means the collective confirmed control of its listing (for example, from an email at its own domain). It is not an endorsement and does not change any facts on the page.
Educational information, not legal advice.