Complete Guide

How the HCH Verification
Process Works

A deep dive into our 3-level compliance system that protects high school athletes from amateurism violations and recruiting inducements

5-10 min
Average Review Time
3 Levels
Of Protection
51 States
Coverage

The Submission to Certification Journey

Every deal over $500 automatically enters our verification pipeline. Here's exactly what happens at each stage.

Phase 0: Deal Submission

~2 minutes

Athlete uploads contract PDF or paste deal terms

Provide sponsor name, compensation amount, deliverables

Link social media profiles for FMV calculation

Select your state (determines applicable HSAA rules)

0
1

Level 1: Automated Amateurism Check

~30 seconds (AI-powered)

Three Critical Flags

1

School IP Scan

NLP algorithm searches contract for mentions of: high school name, mascot, team names, uniform references, school colors, district names

Example violation: "Athlete will wear Lincoln High jersey in promotional video"
2

Prohibited Category Detection

Cross-references sponsor against banned industries: alcohol, tobacco, gambling, cannabis, adult entertainment, firearms (varies by state)

Auto-deny: Any deal with DraftKings, Bud Light, or similar prohibited brands
3

Performance Clause Scanner

Identifies language tying compensation to athletic results: "bonus if team wins," "payment per touchdown," "increase for championship"

Red flag: "$500 base + $100 per game won" = pay-for-play violation

✓ Pass → Level 2

No flags detected, proceeds to FMV check

✗ Fail → Auto-Deny

Instant rejection with specific HSAA rule citation

Level 2: Fair Market Value Analysis

~1-2 minutes

FMV Calculation Formula

📊 Social Metrics (40% weight)

Total follower count across Instagram, TikTok, Twitter/X, YouTube

💬 Engagement Rate (30% weight)

Avg likes, comments, shares per post (last 30 days)

🔍 Comparable Deals (30% weight)

Similar athlete profiles in our database for same deliverables

Example Calculation:

• Athlete: 15K Instagram, 8K TikTok, 4% engagement

• Deliverable: 3 Instagram posts + 2 TikTok videos

FMV Range: $400-$800

Proposed Payment: $600 ✓

2x FMV Threshold: $1,600

✓ Within 2x FMV

Auto-approve → Certification

⚠ Exceeds 2x FMV

Flagged → Level 3 Review

2
3

Level 3: Expert Human Review

~2-5 minutes (only for flagged deals)

Only triggered when Level 1 or 2 raises a flag that requires nuanced judgment

What Our Specialists Review

  • Sponsor Legitimacy: Is this a real company or a front for a booster/collective?
  • Service Alignment: Do deliverables match the payment (or is it suspiciously high)?
  • Recruiting Red Flags: Any ties to college programs or inducement patterns?
  • Context Assessment: Gray areas (e.g., "Lincoln" could be president or school)

Review Outcomes

Approved with Justification

Written explanation of why flagged deal is actually compliant

Denied with Reasoning

Detailed explanation of violation and suggested fixes

Conditional Approval

Approved if athlete makes specific contract modifications

Final Step: Certification

What You Receive After Approval

GamePlan NIL Compliance Certificate

Unique Certificate ID

e.g., HCH-2024-TX-45892

Permanently attached to your contract as proof of pre-execution compliance review

Compliance Summary

PDF document

Lists all checks performed, applicable state rules, and pass/fail status for each level

Certificate Includes:

Athlete name & state
Sponsor/brand name
Deal value & deliverables
Verification date & time
HSAA rules referenced
GamePlan digital signature

Share with Your School

Many HSAAs require disclosure to athletic directors. This certificate serves as official documentation that your deal was professionally vetted.

Protect College Eligibility

If questions arise during NCAA recruiting, you have proof your HS deals were compliant from day one.

Show Brands You're Serious

Sponsors appreciate working with athletes who prioritize compliance—builds trust and professionalism.

Get Your Deal Certified Today

Free for deals under $500 • Average 5-10 minute turnaround