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MITIGATING RISK FOR COLLEGE ATHLETES CONFERENCES INSTITUTIONS COLLEGE AGENTS
IN AN EVER CHANGING NIL LANDSCAPE

Sutton Sports has partnered with UpNext to launch the Certified UpNext Agency Network and Verified UpNext Agent programs — a national initiative to vet and verify those shaping the NIL landscape.

Success Beyond Game Day Athletes.org Sports Business Leaders United Soccer League Southeastern Conference Chicago Fire FC SINC Conference UpNext Atlantic League Freedom Sports and Entertainment Shift Group Signature Sports Camps Duane Morris Sadler Insurance Success Beyond Game Day Athletes.org Sports Business Leaders United Soccer League Southeastern Conference Chicago Fire FC SINC Conference UpNext Atlantic League Freedom Sports and Entertainment Shift Group Signature Sports Camps Duane Morris Sadler Insurance

sutton sports role for upnext portal

From our first meeting with UpNext’s Cody Cater, Claude Bragg, and David Antoline, one question guided Sutton’s work regarding vetting:
How can we better protect college athletes as they move through the transfer portal and work with agents who may also handle their NIL representation?

Over the past two years, Sutton Sports has developed a proprietary verification process to answer that question, one designed to scale nationally and set a new standard in athlete protection.

Together with UpNext, we’re ensuring that every NIL agent and agency in the UpNext portal is vetted for integrity, transparency, and compliance.

Under the partnership, Sutton Sports role regarding the UpNext Portal will include:

  • Vetting of Sports Agencies
  • Vetting of Sports Agents that make up said Agencies
  • Support UpNext’s Team Regarding Certifications
  • Assist in Semi-Annual Reviews for Agents
  • Assist in Yearly Renewals for Agencies and Agents
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Every major U.S. Professional Sports League (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS) requires agents to be vetted and certified.

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Number of reported “NIL Agents”

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The NIL industry has grown by over 146% since 2021, surpassing $2.2 billion in total value.

For agents & agencies

Athletes, families, and schools expect transparency.  Verified agencies and Agents will be leading the way. Sutton Sports vetting process will validate your credentials, compliance record, and professional background.

Sutton’s Verification Advantage for Agencies and Agents:

  • Strengthen your reputation
  • Accelerate partnerships
  • Enhance transparency with standardized documentation and reporting.
  • Reduce risk by eliminating misrepresentation or compliance uncertainty.

Begin your verification with UpNext today and position your agency among the most trusted names in athlete representation.

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For collegiate athletes

For any college athlete, it’s critical to know the legitimacy of the people and organizations you conduct business with. Through its partnership with UpNext, Sutton Sports will help protect athletes by vetting agents and service providers, reducing both personal and professional risk when entering any contractual agreements.

We help you:

  • Verify that an agent completes the Sutton Sports verification process
  • Verify that the agencies that they work for is in good standing
  • Empowers athletes to choose verified representation
  • Build trust with brands and partners that value professionalism.

Verification for athletes coming soon!

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For institutions & athletic departments

By integrating vetted representation and contract review directly into UpNext’s portal, Sutton helps colleges and universities safeguard their programs, protect college athletes, and strengthen compliance oversight. Through verified agents and proactive review of agent contract language, the UpNext portal provides institutions with a practical, transparent, and highly effective tool for risk.

Key Benefits:

  • Agent & agency verification ensures all representatives meet professional and compliance standards.
  • Integrated contract review within the UpNext portal streamlines agent business processes.
  • Protects institutional reputation by providing athletes with access to verified representation while allowing freedom of choice.
  • Simplifies NIL compliance through automated tracking and reporting features while on the portal platform.
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frequenlty asked questions

It means you’ve successfully passed Sutton Sports’ multi-layered vetting and compliance process, demonstrating integrity and transparency.

Most verifications are completed within 2-3  business days.

Absolutely. The initiative is designed to scale across all states and collegiate levels.

Sutton Sports conducts multi-layered reviews including identity confirmation, licensing verification, disciplinary history, criminal background investigation, and reference validation. Each verified agent or agency receives a verified status badge within UpNext’s platform.

Sutton Sports provides comprehensive vetting reports on agents, collectives, and brand partners. This includes license verification, background investigation, compliance reviews, and identification of potential red flags.

Sutton Sports provides comprehensive vetting reports on agents, collectives, and brand partners. This includes license verification, background investigation, compliance reviews, and identification of potential red flags.

Yes. Verified agents and agencies are listed in UpNext’s national portal.

All verifications are conducted by Sutton Sports, a subsidiary of Sutton Associates, which has over 30 years of experience in due diligence, background screening, and investigative reporting. Our process ensures accuracy, transparency, and compliance at every step.

United Soccer League (USL)

“Our experience with Sutton Sports has been great. The attention to detail from the beginning of the relationship to our everyday interactions has exceeded our expectations. Their professionalism benefits our organization in many ways. Sutton Sports understands the true meaning of partnership — it’s more than an agreement, more than a working relationship. Can’t thank them enough for handling our most important dealings.”

– Jeremy Alumbaugh, President, United Soccer League Championship

United States Twirling Association

“I have been working with Sutton Associates for over four years, and every person I’ve dealt with regarding background checks has been professional, responsive, and diligent. They are one of the most professional companies I have ever worked with. They respond promptly, and their online system for reviewing background checks is efficient and easy to use.”

– Linda Boss, Member Services Manager, United States Twirling Association

Southeastern Conference (SEC)

“Sutton Sports operates in an extremely efficient and professional manner for in-depth background services. Prompt to reply to questions and requests for assistance. The online system for reviewing reports is very user-friendly.”

– David Batson, Assistant Commissioner, Southeastern Conference (SEC)

Chicago Fire FC

“Working with Sutton Sports has been a great experience. They’ve operated as a true extension of our team and are always responsive, collaborative, and committed to meeting our needs. As we continue to scale up as an organization, their willingness to adapt and support our business objectives has made them a valued partner.”

– Angelo Vicario, Director of People & Culture, Chicago Fire FC

Signature Sports Camp

“Sutton Sports has been an incredible background-screening partner for Signature Sports Camps for over three years. Their hands-on support, fast communication, and genuine commitment to keeping our campers and staff safe have made them an essential part of our operations. We couldn’t imagine running our camps without their reliability and partnership.”

– Maddie Soviero, Executive Director of Signature Sports Camps

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