Here is something many athletes at smaller schools need to hear in 2026: you don’t need a massive social following to make money with NIL. You need to be strategic, local, and consistent. If you (or an athlete you know):
- Isn’t getting messages from national brands
- Doesn’t have 100K followers
- But does want to earn a few hundred (or more) dollars a month
This post is for you. Here are a few steps athletes can take to make 2026 a successful year off the court.
4 Realistic NIL Ideas That Actually Work
1. Redefine what “winning NIL” actually means. This step is important because it means being realistic with your situation. At smaller schools, NIL success rarely looks like:
- Big sponsorships
- One viral post
- Overnight money
Instead, it looks like:
- $150/month from a local gym partnership
- $300 from running a youth clinic
- Free meals + cash from a local restaurant
- $500 for being the face of a small business for a season
These opportunities add up and often lead to bigger ones later. From what I see trending, NIL in 2026 is less about clout and more about value. Then, it’s about starting small (and smart) with realistic NIL ideas and strategies that actually work. You don’t need to invent something revolutionary. You need something doable.
2. Partner local before you go national. Local businesses LOVE athletes, especially when:
- They already live in the community
- Customers recognize them
- They represent discipline and consistency
Think local coffee shops, fitness studios, local restaurants, barber shops/salons, car dealerships or physical therapy clinics. Athletes with just as ‘little’ as 500–2,000 engaged followers can be valuable locally. Put in the work by reaching out to local establishments to set up a partnership, and don’t forget to consider permissible in-kind payments.
3. Become a micro-influencer (without being “cringe”). Micro-influencers aren’t about follower count- they’re about trust. Athletes already have teammates, students local fans, and younger athletes watching you.
Start by sharing your training routine, your game day prep, how you’re balancing classes + sports, and highlight the places you already go. Being consistent will help you gain traction.
4. Turn your skills into a small business. Here is where many small-school athletes win BIG. Utilize your current skill set by hosting private lessons or clinics, speed & agility sessions, position-specific training, online workout programs, or camps during the off-season.
You don’t need a website on day one. But, you’ll need to put in the work to create a Venmo or PayPal account, a flyer, and word-of-mouth to gain traction.
So to sum it up, here is a quick rundown of steps athletes can take this month (yay 2026!) to make this actionable.
1: Pick ONE NIL lane to start. Not all of them, just one: local partnerships, social content, your own service/business.
2. Conduct a quick personal brand audit. Ask yourself: ‘what do people already associate me with?’, ‘what do teammates ask me for advice on?’, and ‘what do I do consistently?’
3. Create a simple outreach message. You don’t need a fancy pitch deck. A DM or email like this works:
“Hi! I’m a [sport] athlete at [school]. I love supporting local businesses and already come to [your business]. I’d love to explore a small partnership that brings value to both of us- happy to chat!”
4. Track your income like a business. NIL money is often inconsistent, untaxed and easy to spend quickly. For 2026, smart athletes will set aside money for taxes, save your income and track it consistently
If you’re just starting out, make sure to have fun with this. Consider hosting a pop-up with a local brand, film content with teammates, co-hosting an event with another athlete, or running giveaways tied to a local sponsor. Whey you enjoy what you do, you’ll be more consistent, and over time, even a few hundred dollars earned on your own terms can change how you think about money, confidence, and your future.