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An endorsement contract legally binds an athlete to promote a brand or product, often including terms about usage, appearance, and promotion. It's essential for contracts to be clear on the scope of work, duration, compensation, and intellectual property rights.

Legal considerations about using an athlete's likeness include the scope of use, any limitations, the duration of usage rights, and how the likeness will be used in promotions.

The right of publicity allows athletes to control the commercial use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). Endorsements must respect this right, and proper licenses need to be obtained.

Athletes may face liability issues if they endorse a product that is found to be harmful or defective. It's important for contracts to address liability and the athlete's association with product quality.

Endorsement contracts may include liability clauses and indemnification provisions to protect parties against legal claims related to the endorsement.

Performance clauses stipulate that certain athletic achievements or benchmarks must be met as part of the endorsement deal. Failure to meet these can result in reduced compensation or contract termination.

Athlete endorsements often involve the use of trademarks, logos, and other IP that must be properly licensed and used according to the agreement to avoid infringement.

Endorsement contracts should outline specific conditions under which the contract can be terminated by either party, such as breach of contract, expiration of the term, or retirement of the athlete.

This clause prevents athletes from making any statements that negatively impact the brand they endorse, during and sometimes after the contract period.

Retired athletes' image rights can still be valuable. Endorsement agreements must account for such rights, including terms of use and compensation post-retirement.

Exclusivity clauses prevent athletes from endorsing or promoting competing brands. This can be limited to a specific product category or industry and usually lasts for the duration of the contract.

Athlete endorsements can include royalties, providing the athlete a percentage of sales from the endorsed products. The contract must detail how royalties are calculated and paid.

Endorsement contracts should specify the governing law and outline the process for dispute resolution, which may include arbitration or litigation.

Athlete endorsements in team sports may involve players' associations, which typically have group licensing agreements for using a player's image or likeness in video games or merchandise.

Trademark licensing allows athletes to use certain trademarks in association with endorsements. These agreements must legally protect the brand's marks and ensure proper use.

Endorsement contracts must adhere to advertising standards and other regulations, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines in the U.S., to ensure lawful promotions.

Morality clauses allow a brand to terminate an endorsement contract if an athlete engages in behavior that could reflect poorly on the brand. This includes illegal actions, scandalous behavior, or other forms of misconduct.

Compensation in endorsement deals can include fixed fees, royalties, bonuses for performance, or a combination of these, and must be clearly detailed in the contract.

Athletes are often required to use their social media platforms for promotion as part of endorsement deals. The legal considerations include content control, disclosure requirements, and platform terms and conditions.

Injury clauses specify what happens if an athlete is injured, including potential compensation adjustments, suspension, or termination of the endorsement deal.

An athlete must avoid endorsing products that conflict with their team, league, or personal values, the failure of which may lead to legal and reputational risks.

Leagues often have personal conduct policies that athletes must follow. Endorsement contracts may reflect these policies, and penalties for policy breaches can affect contractual relationships.

Exclusive deals restrict athletes to endorsing only one company's products within a category, whereas non-exclusive deals allow endorsements of multiple brands. This affects legal restrictions and athlete's marketability.

Some endorsement contracts include terms that allow for renegotiation or options for renewal upon expiration. This provides flexibility and potential for long-term partnerships.