Money works differently when you're a student-athlete. If you're being recruited by top schools, you're probably going to see real money sooner than most of your friends — through NIL deals, stipends, or other opportunities. That's exciting. But it also means you need a plan, and the earlier you make one, the better off you'll be.
The Three Phases You Need to Think About
Financial planning isn't just one thing. It changes depending on where you are. Here's how we break it down for NYC Honor players:
Phase 1: High School
Understanding how outside income affects your FAFSA and financial aid. You don't want a summer job or early NIL check to accidentally cost you a scholarship.
Phase 2: Collegiate
NIL money is real money — and the IRS treats it that way. We teach you how to handle taxes, avoid overspending, and not fall into the trap of living like you're rich before you actually are.
Phase 3: After College
Whether you go pro or into a career, this is where real wealth-building kicks in. We help you transition from "student with a stipend" to someone whose money is actually working for them.
The 10% Rule
We teach every athlete the same thing: when you get your first NIL check, set aside at least 10% and don't touch it. Put it somewhere it can grow. The hardest part of building wealth isn't making money — it's leaving it alone long enough for it to work.
NIL Income & Taxes: The Part Nobody Tells You
Here's the thing most players learn the hard way: NIL income is usually 1099 income. That means no one is withholding taxes for you. So if you get paid $10,000 for a deal, you don't actually have $10,000 to spend — you might owe $2,000-$3,000 of that to the IRS. We teach our players how to plan for this from day one so there are no surprises at tax time.
Want to Learn More?
Whether you're a player, a parent, or a coach — reach out. We'll walk you through everything and answer any questions you have.