NFL Players' Podcast

Zach Miller, Riccardo Stewart, Sam Acho, Jeff Locke
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NFL Players' Podcast

The podcast by NFL players for NFL players. Each week, we break down the biggest events in football and how they directly impact a player's career and money. Join Former NFL Veterans Sam Acho (Bills, Bucs, Bears & Cardinals), Zach Miller (Seahawks & Raiders), Jeff Locke (Vikings, Colts, Lions, 49ers), and college coach, Riccardo Stewart, for a raw and unfiltered conversation about the game, the business, and how players can achieve generational wealth.

  1. JUL 9

    OL Masterminds: How to Create, Capture and Grow Your Value

    It's OL Masterminds this week! And in this episode of the AWM NFL Player's Podcast, hosts Riccardo Stewart, Jeff Locke, Sam Acho, and Zach Miller take use behind the curtain of the business side of professional football for the players at OL Masterminds. Their aim is to show how athletes can capitalize on this opportunity to create, capture, and protect their value both on and off the field. The team also shares practical stories and hard-earned lessons on maximizing contracts, building trusted advisory teams, and avoiding the common pitfalls that threaten a player's chances to build wealth. With honest, straight-up advice and real-world examples, this episode is a must-listen for both players attending OL Masterminds and any athlete looking to build a legacy and turn short-term earnings into lasting multi-generational wealth. Some of the key moments: OL Masterminds is spotlighted as an important training ground where top offensive linemen invest in sharpening skills and building career value, under the same roof as Hall of Famers and leaders who have set the standard.The urgency of value capture is illustrated through Trey Smith’s leap from early paydays to becoming the NFL’s highest-paid guard within a single year, showing how quickly fortunes can shift for those ready to capitalize.We also set a warning for athletes: with contract dollars comes an influx of agents, advisors, and others seeking to join the team, many with unclear motives. Aligning incentives and demanding transparency—especially steering clear of “free service” red flags—is essential.Selecting your wealth team requires the same scrutiny as building a locker room: mentorship, true expertise, and rock-solid alignment of incentives override empty friendship or unqualified offers.The hosts recap a guiding four-part approach to wealth that underpins every play: create value as the athlete, capture it through contracts, convert it into sustainable resources, and continue it across generations—laying the groundwork for a 100-year family.Listeners are invited to reach out directly for practical support in assembling their front office for enduring family stewardship.If you're an athlete and you've got questions, reach out to us at 602 989 5022, or learn more at athletefamilyoffice.com.

    11 min

  2. JUL 6

    Leaving a Legacy: How Elite Athletes Build Generational Wealth

    Hosts Riccardo Stewart, Jeff Locke, Zach Miller, and Sam Acho call the plays on one of the toughest challenges in wealth: sustaining it for generations. They break down what the stats really say—among families with $30M+ in assets, only 30% successfully hand wealth to their kids, and just 10% to grandkids. Through the lens of the athlete as CEO, the team outlines what it really takes to keep the family scoreboard lit for decades to come: real strategy, meaningful stewardship, and a clear sense of legacy. Key Highlights Among families with $30M or more, only 30% pass wealth to children and a strikingly low 10% to grandchildren—true multi-generational success is rare without focused planning.Estate tax is a real opponent: with an exemption around $15 million, any amount over that mark is taxed at 40%, making careful planning essential to keeping more in the family line.Stewardship goes beyond asset transfers and focuses on fostering family governance by consciously preparing children and grandchildren to lead, protect, and grow family resources.Purpose-built trusts help fund education, provide first-home down payments, and deliver seed capital for new businesses, offering a runway for each generation to take meaningful first steps.Establishing private family foundations allows each generation to give back and actively manage the family's impact over time, keeping values and stewardship at the center of the legacy.At this level of wealth, a family office becomes essential, acting as a coordinated team to oversee everything from investments and tax to estate design and next-generation guidance.

    13 min

  3. JUN 30

    Create. Capture. Convert: The Money Game Beyond the Field

    This week, Riccardo Stewart is joined by Jeff Locke, Zach Miller, and Sam Acho to lay out the real strategy behind turning an NFL contract into generational strength. Using Brock Purdy’s $265 million deal as the case study, the team walks through the “Create, Capture, Convert” playbook—revealing what truly separates short-term paydays from enduring family legacy. With firsthand stories from both the field and the front office, the hosts get tactical on tax, cash flow, philanthropy, and what it means to run your wealth like a pro—team, systems, and all. Key Highlights The “Create, Capture, Convert” playbook: How elite athletes turn physical, social, and intellectual capital into contracts, then steward after-tax dollars through every stage of wealth.The 50-40-10 rule and tax strategy: Inside the real cost of California residency—why a $265 million contract means careful tax planning, year-over-year strategies, and the massive value of location.Sustainable spending and cash flow management: The path to spending $3–4 million a year with confidence—if the right team, structure, and discipline are in place. “Money is just a magnifier”: Sam Acho’s story-driven reminder that bigger checks only amplify habits—making intention and stewardship more important than ever.Philanthropy with purpose: Using private foundations and direct giving to create impact, and lessons on making every dollar count.Why a family office is built for the big leagues: The difference between a transactional advisor and an integrated front office, delivering alignment, access, and true multi-generational coaching.

    16 min

  4. JUN 23

    The Athlete CEO: Capturing Value On and Off the Field

    Riccardo Stewart, Jeff Locke, Zach Miller, and Sam Acho gather in the front office to tackle the big question facing every pro: you’ve built your value—how do you really capture it? They pull back the curtain on high-stakes negotiations, using the Brock Purdy contract as a case study. Jeff breaks down why the numbers on NFL deals rarely tell the full story, especially compared to MLB and NBA. Zach and Sam get specific, explaining the split between truly guaranteed money and what’s just ink on paper—then show how players can turn presence and connection into off-the-field wins. Between anecdotes from inside CBA talks and clear advice on reading the business, the team lays out the game plan for pros and their families to run their own huddle—and stay ahead of the league. Key highlights What it means to run your career like an “Athlete CEO,” with the field as only part of the equation.Why only 20 out of 43 active NFL contracts over $100M are fully guaranteed, compared to every deal that size in the MLB (68) and NBA (82)—and what that means when negotiating as a pro.A close look at Brock Purdy’s contract: signing bonuses, real guarantees, “outs” for the team, and the importance of securing more value early, not just on paper.How relationships in your city and community create real off-the-field value—think partnerships, sponsorships, and trust beyond stats.Firsthand accounts from CBA negotiations: how owners approach contracts, what’s really said in the back room, and why understanding the league’s view is essential for every athlete.The bottom line for players and families: study the playbook, know your leverage, and get every piece you’ve earned—on and off the field.

    15 min

  5. JUN 16

    The Athlete CEO: How NFL Players Build and Realize Their Worth

    Riccardo Stewart joins Zach “The Truth” Miller, Sam “The Mayor” Acho, and Jeff “The Professor” Locke to draw up the playbook behind becoming the CEO of your own career as an NFL player. With Brock Purdy’s path—from Arizona high school standout, to last pick in the draft, to signing a $265 million extension—as the backdrop, the team unpacks what really drives value for pro athletes: performance, preparation, grit through setbacks, and knowing exactly who belongs in your circle. The conversation lays bare how discipline on and off the field, combined with relentless self-belief, is the foundation for maximizing long-term value and setting up a winning legacy. Key Highlights:• Why every athlete needs to run the business of themselves—not just play in the business of the NFL.• Brock Purdy’s journey: overlooked and underestimated, but methodically building value through adversity, belief, and execution.• The power of intellectual capital: seeing the whole field, staying prepared, and making the right decisions when the pressure’s highest.• Grit forged in recovery and rejection: how setbacks and unseen effort fuel future contracts.• How contract structure impacts long-term value: rookie wage scale, forms of guaranteed money, skill cap, injury clauses, timing, and the true meaning of “extension.”• Why maximizing value means keeping your circle small and choosing partners carefully both on and off the field. References:• Brock Purdy contract extension: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45167784/san-francisco-brock-purdy-new-contract-extension-mr-irrelevant-big-expectations• Shark Tank (ABC), as a metaphor for realizing value and investment: https://abc.com/show/535e2b07-18a9-4d94-9803-9ed8257b9d23• Text in your questions: 602-989-5022

    12 min

  6. MAY 28

    The 3 I's of Financial Advice: Independent, Integrated, Individualized

    In this episode of the AWM NFL Podcast, host Riccardo Stewart is joined by Sam Acho, Zach Miller, and Jeff Locke to break down “The Three I’s” of athlete financial strategy: independent, integrated, and individualized advice. Pulling from real scenarios and the unique demands facing today’s NFL players, the team spells out what it means to have your Family Office working exclusively for you the AWM Way. This episode offers athletes and their families a direct look into the non-negotiables for effective wealth management—clarifying why every financial decision should be intentional, coordinated, and tailored to your future. Key Highlights• What makes advice truly independent, and how the AWM Way ensures your Family Office always puts your interests first—never those of shareholders or public company profit mandates.• Why integration is essential—illustrated by a real-world example where lack of coordination cost millions in unnecessary taxes—and how AWM builds cohesion across your tax, investment, estate, and philanthropic strategies.• The risk of “siloed” advisors and menu-limited investment choices, and what it takes to unify your entire financial team around your unique needs.• How individualized planning supports every aspect of your financial life—delivering strategy and solutions based exclusively on your goals, opportunities, and family priorities.• Practical steps to help NFL athletes and their families demand better, more aligned solutions from their advisory teams. References• Discover the AWM Way and Family Office Services at awmcap.com• Listen to AWM Insights™: athletefamilyoffice.com/podcasts

    15 min

  7. MAY 5

    Understanding Your Options When It Comes to Financial Advisors | NFL Players' Podcast #54

    In this episode of the NFL Players' Podcast by AWM Insights, host Riccardo Stewart is joined by Zach Miller, Jeff Locke, and Sam Acho to explore the various financial advising options available for NFL players. The team discusses the different types of financial advisors and the benefits of a family office tailored for athletes. This episode is a must-listen for players looking to effectively manage and grow their wealth. The discussion contrasts traditional financial advisories with more specialized, athlete-centered solutions, offering valuable insights for making informed decisions. Key Highlights: Understanding the different financial advisory options available to NFL players.Insight into the limitations of traditional financial advisors versus the specialized services of a family office.The importance of taxes and NFL benefits in comprehensive financial planning.Why the big banks' marketing strategies do not always equate to the best advice for athletes.Upcoming discussion on the role and benefits of a family office for NFL players.Quotes: "You might have the biggest marketing budget in the world, but that doesn't mean you're best for me." – Sam Acho"It's not set up for an athlete to know about a failure or a missed opportunity that a company may have." – Sam Acho"Any advisor that's serious about giving financial advice is going to be a certified financial planner." – Zach Miller

    19 min

  8. APR 28

    The NFL Wealth Playbook: Why You Need a Financial Team | NFL Players' Podcast #53

    In this episode of the NFL Players' Podcast, host Riccardo Stewart and his co-hosts Jeff Locke, Sam Acho, and Zach Miller explore the essentials of building a strong financial team for NFL players. They dive into the nuances of transitioning from relying on a single financial advisor to curating a team dedicated to managing multi-generational wealth. Highlighting the complexities and responsibilities that come with increased wealth, the hosts share insights into the critical roles within a financial team and the timing for making this pivotal switch. Key Highlights: Riccardo Stewart introduces the necessity of shifting from a single financial advisor to a comprehensive financial team for NFL athletes.Jeff Locke emphasizes the analogy of a sports team to explain the complex needs of high net-worth individuals.Sam Acho discusses the importance of having a financial team present regardless of geographical location.Zach Miller provides criteria for when an athlete should transition to a team based on their earning potential.Jeff Locke covers the philosophical reasons behind having a team to achieve the desired life outcomes.Sam Acho stresses the importance of working with an independent team to avoid conflicts of interest.Quotes: "More money means more complexity, and when you have that complexity, it necessitates more clarity." – Riccardo Stewart"You can't just have one, two, or three people trying to handle all the things you need." – Jeff Locke"Your team needs to be wherever you are at, period." – Sam Acho"If you think you're going to make over $20 million, you should have a team." – Zach Miller

    11 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The podcast by NFL players for NFL players. Each week, we break down the biggest events in football and how they directly impact a player's career and money. Join Former NFL Veterans Sam Acho (Bills, Bucs, Bears & Cardinals), Zach Miller (Seahawks & Raiders), Jeff Locke (Vikings, Colts, Lions, 49ers), and college coach, Riccardo Stewart, for a raw and unfiltered conversation about the game, the business, and how players can achieve generational wealth.

Information

  • Creator
    Zach Miller, Riccardo Stewart, Sam Acho, Jeff Locke
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 NFL Players Podcast | AWM Capital, LLC
  • Show Website
    NFL Players' Podcast

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