Help Center
Frequently Asked Questions
How our data is sourced, how accounts work, and answers to the questions we get most.
What is The Sideline?
The Sideline is an independent college sports data platform. We track aggregate NIL roster-market estimates for all 357 D1 programs, the college transfer portal, recruiting, and school hubs for every Power 4 program. The site also includes an affiliated merchandise shop.
Where does the NIL data come from?
School NIL pools are estimated from public disclosures, collective announcements, and on-record statements. The strongest 500 public player estimates anchor a continuous model based on sport, position, class, recruiting profile, and likely role. Visible roster values reconcile to each tracked sport pool, and rosters are cross-checked against transfer data so departed players do not linger.
How often is the data updated?
NIL player data, transfer portal entries, and recruiting commitments refresh nightly. Rosters follow ESPN's live team data for the current season.
How often do you publish new analysis and news articles?
We publish daily analysis covering CFB, NFL, and NBA grounded in our NIL, transfer portal, and recruiting datasets. Expect rivalry breakdowns, ranking shifts, and data-driven game predictions.
Can I submit a content idea?
We love hearing from our community. Use our Submit Idea page to share story ideas, content suggestions, or feedback. The best ideas may be featured in our news coverage.
How does shipping work for shop orders?
We offer fast shipping on all orders. Most orders are processed within 1-2 business days and delivered within 5-7 business days. Free shipping is available on orders over $50.
What is your return policy?
We accept returns within 30 days of purchase for unworn, unwashed items with original tags. Contact our support team to initiate a return. Full refund will be issued once the item is received.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), PayPal, and Apple Pay through our secure Stripe checkout.
Still have questions?
Reach out and we'll get back to you.