Partner: Old Dominion University Athletics
The problem
NIL and revenue-share deals gave Old Dominion student-athletes something new: real taxable income. For many, it was the first time.
That income came with paperwork most 19-year-olds had never seen. A single 1099 can turn into a 10 to 15 page tax return. Without the right infrastructure, that meant real risk: filing errors, financial stress, and compliance exposure for athletes and the school alike.
An athlete-first approach
ODU didn’t want a compliance patch. They wanted an answer that put athletes first, one that protected the department and also helped athletes understand their own money.
Scout worked with ODU to:
- Centralize NIL financial processes in one place
- Reduce compliance risk for the athletic department
- Build financial literacy into the athlete experience, not tack it on afterward
The Scout Athlete solution
ODU athletes had access to the Scout Athlete Solution. It pairs a digital platform with one-on-one guidance from Scout’s team, and it supported athletes through their 2025 tax filings. They had a clear process, a real person to ask, and the tools to understand what they were filing and why.
The results
- Accurate filings: athletes filed with confidence and fewer mistakes
- Reduced compliance risk: for athletes and for the university
- Stronger athlete trust: athletes saw the department invest in them
- A repeatable model: a framework other programs can adopt
In their words
“NIL has created real income for our student-athletes, and with that comes real responsibility. Covering their tax filings is about education, protection, and long-term development. It removes fear, reduces mistakes, and shows we’re invested in them as whole people, not just performers.”
— Dr. Ronald Moses, Former Deputy Athletic Director, Old Dominion University
Why it matters
Every athlete earning NIL or revenue-share money now has a tax obligation, and most have never filed a return this complex. Programs that leave athletes to figure it out alone take on the risk too: filing errors, stressed athletes, and compliance exposure that lands on the department.
ODU showed there’s a better approach. Treat tax season as part of athlete development, not just a compliance checkbox. That protects athletes, protects the program, and builds trust that lasts.
Work with Scout
ODU is one of 40+ partner programs across Power Conference, Group of Five, and Mid-Major institutions working with Scout to protect athletes’ financial futures.
Interested in bringing this to your program? Book a 15-minute call with our team here.
