NIL can feel overwhelming - especially if your university is still figuring out where to begin. With the recent House v. NCAA settlement officially approved, NIL just took another major step forward. The landmark decision will reshape how revenue is shared, increase transparency, and further cement NIL as a long-term fixture in college athletics. At Old Hat, we’ve been helping athletic departments tell their stories and connect with fans for over 20 years. Now, we’re doing the same in the NIL space - partnering with schools to build custom websites, create standout content, and ensure compliance every step of the way.
 
If you’re looking to launch an NIL website for your university but aren’t sure what to include, who to involve, or how to even get started, we’ve got you. Here’s a simple breakdown of the first steps to get your NIL site off the ground:
 
 


1. Gather and Organize Your Content
 
Before any design or development begins, the first priority is content. Think about the types of information your NIL site should include:

• An overview of NIL at your institution

• How student-athletes can get involved

• How businesses or donors can support

• NIL compliance guidelines

• Resources, success stories, FAQs, and contact information

This content doesn’t have to be perfect or complete at the start. The goal is to create a framework that can evolve over time.
 
2. Review Other NIL Sites for Inspiration
Take time to explore what other institutions and collectives are doing with their NIL presence. These examples can help you understand the possibilities and identify the content and features that matter most for your audience:

• Start by looking over Old Hat's latest project: San Diego NIL

  
3. Loop In Key Campus Stakeholders
Creating an NIL website isn’t just about marketing - it’s also about ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment across departments. Before publishing anything, be sure to:

• Connect with your Compliance Office to confirm guidelines and regulations

• Coordinate with your Licensing Team for any current deals or partnership approvals

• Include voices from Athletics, University Relations, and Legal as needed

Getting early alignment avoids roadblocks down the line and helps build campus-wide support for your NIL initiative.
 
4. Set a Timeline and Plan the Launch
Once content is organized and feedback is gathered, set a follow-up meeting to finalize your structure, timeline, and creative direction. You don’t need every piece of content finished to launch a quality site - start simple and grow from there.
Even a basic NIL site can be a powerful recruiting tool and a platform for elevating student-athlete stories. The key is getting something live that reflects your values and provides clear, accessible information.

Need help creating your NIL site - or just figuring out what your next move should be? Old Hat is ready to jump in wherever you are in the process. Take our NIL Quiz here.