Tail Period

A tail period (sometimes called a "restricted period" or "post-term period") is a defined window after the contract expires or is terminated during which certain athlete obligations continue to apply. The tail period most often attaches to exclusivity, non-compete, non-solicitation, or confidentiality obligations. The athlete-protective fight is over the length of the tail (push for 0 to 30 days; brands push for 90 to 365 days), the scope of obligations that survive (narrow to category, not all marketing), and any compensation paid for the tail (a paid tail is more enforceable than an unpaid one in most jurisdictions). A long tail period in a low-fee NIL deal is one of the most common ways athletes get locked out of better deals — read this carefully on every contract.