College football GMs have a long to-do list — including addressing legal risks

an image of multiple glass buildings in a cityan image of multiple glass buildings in a city

College football GMs have a long to-do list — including addressing legal risks

August 11, 2025

United States
United States
United States
Sports Business Journal

As college athletics continues to evolve, institutions are forced to navigate unprecedented changes. In their article published by Sports Business Journal, Eversheds Sutherland attorneys Anthony Del Giudice and Kamryn Alexander explore the emerging role of football program general managers (GMs) and the legal risks institutions must manage to stay competitive and compliant.

The article outlines the heightened risks resulting from mostly non-lawyer GMs being a natural point person for student-athlete questions. The piece also offers practical safeguards institutions can implement to reduce risk and empower their staff, including:

  • Establishing clear internal controls around student-athlete payment
  • Defining institutional roles in third-party NIL arrangements
  • Training GMs and staff on evolving regulations
  • Including protective language in NIL agreements

The materials on the Eversheds Sutherland website are for general information purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, the materials may not reflect the most current legal developments. Eversheds Sutherland disclaims liability for actions taken based on the materials. Always consult a qualified lawyer for specific legal matters. To view the full disclaimer, see our Terms and Conditions or Disclaimer section in the footer.

Services

Key contacts

anthonydelgiudice@eversheds-sutherland.com

Anthony J. Del Giudice

Partner

United States

kamrynalexander@eversheds-sutherland.com

Kamryn M. Alexander

Senior Associate

Atlanta, United States

Latest Insights

  • legal updates
  • podcasts and webcasts
  • legal updates
  • legal updates

Latest News

Latest Events

  • virtual | June 09, 2026
  • virtual | June 16, 2026
  • virtual | June 23, 2026
  • virtual | September 10, 2026
shopping district

legal updates

May 29, 2026

Business meeting close up discussing data

podcasts and webcasts

May 29, 2026

Pay-Transparency-Waterdroplets-on-glass

legal updates

May 28, 2026

Looking up skyscrapers night city architecture

legal updates

May 28, 2026

© Eversheds Sutherland 2026. All rights reserved. Eversheds Sutherland is a provider of legal and other services operating through various separate and distinct legal entities. For further information about these entities and Eversheds Sutherlands' structure please see the Legal Notice page of this website.

Eversheds Sutherland (Germany) Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB is a partnership with limited professional liability (Partnerschaftsgesellschaft mit beschränkter Berufshaftung) under German law, with its registered seat in Munich, registered with the partnership register of the Munich District Court under PR 1947 and having its business address at Brienner Straße 12, 80333 München, Germany. Eversheds Sutherland (Germany) Rechtsanwälte Steuerberater Solicitors Partnerschaft mbB is part of a global legal practice consisting of separate and distinct legal entities that operate under the name Eversheds Sutherland and provide legal or other services to clients around the world. Each Eversheds Sutherland entity is a separate legal entity and is not responsible for the acts or omissions of, nor can bind or obligate, another Eversheds Sutherland entity. Eversheds Sutherland Entities are constituted and regulated in accordance with relevant local regulatory and legal requirements. The use of the name Eversheds Sutherland, is for description purposes only and does not imply that the Eversheds Sutherland Entities are in a partnership or are part of a global entity. The responsibility for the provision of services to the client is defined in the terms of engagement between the instructed firm and the client.