Faith, Family, Football: Johnnie Perkins on Navigating NIL with Character and Integrity In the complex world of Name, Image, and Likeness deals, Johnnie Perkins brings a unique perspective shaped by faith, extensive government experience, and a lifetime in athletics. As an NIL compliance and athlete services strategist, Johnnie lives by three principles: faith, family, and football, guided by 1 Corinthians 16:14 — "Do everything in love." Johnnie's background sets him apart in the NIL landscape. With half his career in government, he has worked for a president, two governors, an attorney general, and two mayors. He led the successful negotiation of a first-ever $1.5 billion Project Labor Agreement with 26 labor unions, creating thousands of new jobs. This experience in high-stakes negotiations and regulatory compliance now informs his approach to helping student-athletes navigate NIL opportunities. Beyond the boardroom, Johnnie is deeply connected to athletics. He has coached baseball, football, basketball, soccer, and track and field, and currently officiates as a baseball umpire, basketball official, and football referee at youth, high school, and collegiate levels. He created training programs for coaches and officials, focusing on rule philosophy and proper communication. In this episode of The Standard Podcast™, Johnnie shares: The biggest lies being told to student-athletes about NIL opportunitiesHow government experience informs his approach to NIL compliance and contract strategyWhat families need to know about protecting their athletes in the NIL eraBuilding character, integrity, discipline, and accountability through NIL decisionsHis faith-centered approach to business and "doing everything in love"As the proud father of Lorne, Director of Merchandising for the Sacramento River Cats (San Francisco Giants AAA affiliate), Johnnie is reminded daily of the importance of raising young people who are "mindful, respectful, and kind to the world around them." Whether you're a student-athlete exploring NIL opportunities, a parent protecting your child, or a coach helping athletes make informed decisions, Johnnie's expertise provides essential guidance for navigating this new era with character and integrity. This isn't motivation. This is a movement. Connect with Johnnie: Website: johnnieperkins.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnnie-perkins YouTube: @johnnieperkinsreferee Inst Support the show CONNECT WITH US: 🌐 Website: blueprintbluechip.com 📸 Instagram: @blueprintbluechip 💼 LinkedIn: Erin Sarles 📧 Email: erin@erinsarles.com FREE RESOURCE: Join the 5-Day Reset™ — designed for athletes ready to build identity, discipline, and purpose beyond the game. 👉 blueprintbluechip.com/blueprintfoundationschallenge SUPPORT THE SHOW: Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or SpotifyShare this episode with an athlete, parent, coach, or leaderFollow us on social media and join the conversationBOOK ERIN TO SPEAK: Looking for a speaker who challenges comfort and calls out truth? Erin is available for team workshops, parent seminars, and leadership events. 📩 erin@erinsarles.com ABOUT THE STANDARD PODCAST™: This isn't motivation. This is a movement. Hosted by Erin Sarles and Thomas Roe, co-founders of Blueprint to Bluechip™, The Standard Podcast™ calls out the lies culture sold athletes and raises a new standard in sports, leadership, and life. We bring raw, truth-packed 20-25 minute conversations about identity, discipline, and legacy that goes beyond the scoreboard. New episodes drop every Monday. Raise the bar. Rebuild the culture. Become the standard.
