Protect Your Worth: Aaron Parthemer’s NIL Book Guide
There is a moment that happens to a lot of college athletes. An opportunity shows up, a brand deal, a sponsorship, a local partnership, and it feels like everything is finally coming together. The hard work, the early mornings, the sacrifices. It all leads to this. And then, months later, the reality sets in. Taxes were not withheld. The contract had clauses no one read carefully. The money was spent before the IRS bill arrived. What felt like a breakthrough quietly became a burden.
Aaron Parthemer has seen this story play out more times than he can count. That is exactly why he is writing Protect Your Worth, an upcoming book designed to help student-athletes and their families understand the business side of NIL before costly mistakes happen.
Who Is Aaron Parthemer?
Aaron is the Co-Founder and CEO of PMG Private NIL, the athlete-focused education and advisory division of PMG Private CFO Services. Before PMG Private NIL existed, before NIL was even a policy, Aaron was already in the rooms where athletes, entertainers, and high-net-worth families were navigating financial complexity, taxes, entities, contracts, compliance, and long-term planning.
He has spent more than two decades managing the financial lives of people who earn real money fast and need real systems to protect it. When the NCAA opened the door to NIL income in July 2021, he recognized immediately what most families did not. This was not just an opportunity. Without the right structure, it was a trap waiting to happen. The book is his answer to that problem.
What the Book Is About
The upcoming book from Aaron Parthemer is built around one central idea:
NIL gives athletes an opportunity. Poor planning turns opportunity into liability.
That is not a warning designed to scare anyone. It is a fact grounded in years of watching what happens when young people receive business income before they have business infrastructure.
Student-athletes today are signing contracts, receiving 1099 forms, earning from social media platforms, and being approached by brands, all while maintaining athletic eligibility, managing a full academic schedule, and trying to perform at the highest level of college sports. Most of them have never been taught what any of that means from a financial or legal standpoint.
The book addresses that gap directly. It is written for athletes. It is written for parents. It is written for coaches and advisors who care about protecting the people they work with. And it is written by someone who has been doing this work long enough to know where the landmines are.
A Few Themes the Book Covers
Without giving away the full picture, here are some of the core areas the book is designed to address.
NIL Income Is Business Income
Many athletes do not realize NIL earnings are usually treated as business income. Payments are often reported on a 1099, which means taxes are not automatically withheld. The book explains how athletes and families can better understand their responsibilities before tax season arrives.
The Deal Amount Is Not the Final Amount
A NIL deal may look exciting on paper, but the full amount is rarely what an athlete keeps. Federal taxes, state taxes, and other obligations can reduce take-home income. The book helps families understand the difference between earnings and spendable money.
Parents Play an Important Role
NIL decisions often affect the entire family. Parents may help review opportunities, manage finances, and support long-term planning. The book provides practical guidance that helps parents understand NIL opportunities and participate in important financial conversations with confidence.
Contract Terms Matter
NIL contracts can include terms that affect future opportunities and earnings. Clauses related to exclusivity, image rights, payment schedules, and responsibilities deserve careful attention. The book highlights key contract issues families should understand before signing any agreement.
Good Structure Starts Early
Simple systems can make NIL income easier to manage. Separate bank accounts, organized records, expense tracking, and understanding business options may help athletes stay organized. The book outlines practical steps that can help create a strong foundation from day one.
Why This Book, Why Now
NIL has been active since 2021. In those few years, the landscape has grown dramatically. Deals have gotten larger. More athletes across more sports are earning income. Collectives have emerged. Schools are now distributing revenue directly to athletes through approved frameworks.
The money is real. The opportunity is real. And the risks, tax exposure, compliance issues, bad contracts, overspending, are just as real.
Aaron’s position is simple. The sports world did an excellent job of opening the door for athletes to earn. It did not do an equally good job of preparing them for what happens after they walk through it. That is the gap this book is designed to fill.
PMG Private NIL was built on the same principle. The team, including co-founder Laura, Director of Accounting John, and the broader advisory staff, works daily with student-athletes to provide the kind of financial oversight, tax planning, and compliance support that most young earners do not have access to. The book extends that mission beyond the clients PMG directly serves and into the broader college athletics community.
Stay Connected to the Book Launch
As Aaron prepares to release the book, PMG Private NIL will share excerpts, educational content, and helpful resources based on its key themes. Every piece is designed to give athletes and families practical information they can apply in real situations, offering guidance that goes beyond motivation alone.
The goal is not to discourage athletes from pursuing NIL opportunities. The goal is to help athletes and their families understand the responsibilities that come with those opportunities so they can be better prepared when the time comes.
If you are ready to talk through your athlete’s specific situation, book a free consultation with PMG Private NIL. The money is real. The opportunity is real. Make sure the protection is real too.
Disclaimer: This content is educational and is not legal or tax advice. Every athlete’s financial situation is different. Contact PMG Private NIL or a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your circumstances.
