The NIL Podcast by SportsEpreneur

The NIL Podcast by SportsEpreneur covers Name, Image, and Likeness news, athlete business strategy, NIL deals, collectives, and the legal and regulatory landscape shaping college sports — from football and basketball to March Madness and beyond. Built for athletes, sports professionals, universities, coaches, agents, and anyone operating inside the modern NIL ecosystem.

  1. 6d ago

    Athlete Value and ROI with Brent Wall of Student Athlete Score

    NIL is no longer just about deals. It is becoming a marketing, data, and infrastructure problem. In this conversation, Brent Wall, co-founder and CEO of Student Athlete Score, breaks down how schools, athletes, and brands are using data to understand athlete value, social reach, campaign performance, and NIL ROI. Eric Kasimov and Brent discuss how NIL is moving from chaos and headline chasing toward measurable marketing systems, why local and regional brand deals matter, and how athletes can build platforms that last beyond sports. Key Takeaways  NIL is moving from chaos toward measurable ROI Student Athlete Score helps schools, athletes, and brands understand athlete value Follower counts alone do not tell the full story Local and regional brand deals may be a major NIL opportunity Schools are building new commercial roles around NIL and athlete marketing Donor fatigue is forcing more focus on real brand value AI and data can help match athletes with better-fit opportunities Olympic and non-revenue athletes may be overlooked NIL opportunities Youth athletes are being pushed to think about personal brand earlier Athlete branding can create skills that last beyond sportsChapters 00:00 Introduction01:50 The professionalization of sports at every level03:00 Why young athletes now have to think about personal brand04:39 Social media cleanup, exposure, and pressure on kids06:32 What Student Athlete Score does07:56 Measuring athlete value on social media08:35 How universities use the platform10:05 AI, discovery, and local brand deals11:39 NIL education, taxes, and athlete responsibility13:36 The old Wild West of NIL and the new one15:59 Compliance, NIL Go, and regulation16:22 Eligibility, the five-and-five rule, and college sports consistency19:35 Tournament expansion, TV money, sports betting, and more games23:00 Olympic sports and non-revenue programs26:17 Donor fatigue and the need for NIL ROI29:41 Why money does not guarantee winning31:19 The transfer portal and mid-major programs36:00 International athletes, age gaps, and roster pressure38:49 Olympic athletes, NIL, and personal brand gaps40:28 Bots, fake followers, and better data42:31 Why athlete interests matter to brands43:31 Building a platform for life after sports44:11 Youth sports, high school athletes, and brand education46:21 NIL as sales and marketing education47:21 Team dinners, micro-influencers, and local business value50:40 How Student Athlete Score grew with universities51:26 New commercial roles inside athletic departments52:57 Where to find Brent Wall and Student Athlete Score Connect & Follow The NIL Podcast by SportsEpreneurHosted by Eric Kasimov: https://x.com/Eric_Kaz Brent Wall: LinkedInInstagram: @studentathletescore SportsEpreneur https://sportsepreneur.com https://x.com/sportsepreneur https://www.linkedin.com/company/sportsepreneur

    54 min
  2. May 28

    NIL, Youth Sports, and the Pressure Pipeline | Dave Yoo of Onsides

    NIL may officially begin in college, but the pressure now starts much earlier. In this conversation, Dave Yoo, founder of Onsides, breaks down how youth sports has quietly become a massive industry shaped by travel, private training, recruiting, branding, and rising expectations for both athletes and parents. Eric Kasimov and Dave discuss the growing cognitive load families carry, how NIL is pushing pressure downstream into younger ages, and why the future of youth sports may depend on reducing chaos instead of adding more to it. Key Takeaways NIL pressure is moving downstream into younger athletes  Youth sports has quietly become a $50B+ ecosystem  Parents are carrying a massive emotional and logistical load  The gap between recreational sports and elite club sports keeps growing  AI can reduce stress when it solves real-world problems  Travel, recruiting, and training culture are reshaping family life  Athlete branding now starts earlier than ever  Youth sports still works best when kids simply get to play  Chapters00:00 Introduction  01:30 The size and growth of the youth sports market  04:00 Why Dave Yoo started building Onsides  06:00 The chaos parents manage across sports platforms  08:00 Cognitive load and the hidden pressure on families  11:00 Private coaching, training, and monetization  13:00 How Onsides uses AI carefully  16:00 AI disruption and startup building  19:00 Advice for students and young founders  22:00 Youth sports commercialization and rising expectations  27:00 Recreational sports vs. high-pressure club culture  31:00 Parent behavior, overuse injuries, and sideline culture  35:00 NIL, recruiting, and pressure on younger athletes  41:00 Media, AI, and signal amplification  46:00 Phones, social media, and youth athletes  50:00 The future of youth sports  Connect & FollowThe NIL Podcast by SportsEpreneur  Hosted by Eric Kasimov: https://x.com/Eric_Kaz  Onsides: https://getonsides.com/  Dave Yoo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveyoo/  SportsEpreneur: https://sportsepreneur.com X: https://x.com/sportsepreneur  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sportsepreneur

    50 min
  3. Apr 17

    NIL Was the Wake-Up Call — Now What?

    When NIL exposed the value of athletes, it didn’t build the system around them. In this conversation, Stephen Bienko (42U) breaks down what’s missing — from athlete development and identity to leadership gaps in college athletics — and what needs to change next. This episode focuses on what actually matters now: decision-making, brand equity, and building something that lasts beyond the moment. Key Takeaways NIL exposed athlete value, but not athlete developmentBrand equity matters more than chasing short-term dealsMost athletes aren’t prepared for the decisions they now faceCollege programs still lag in leadership and infrastructureSoft skills are becoming more valuable, not lessChapters 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Stephen’s path: Air Force Academy to Villanova 04:00 Early challenges and defining moments 08:00 What NIL revealed (and what it missed) 10:00 Inside the 42U approach 15:00 Athlete identity and long-term thinking 19:00 Leadership gaps in college athletics 22:00 Athletes as economic drivers 26:00 Why soft skills still matter 30:00 Recruiting, evaluation, and decision-making 36:00 “College sports is not a business” 48:00 Brand equity vs. chasing deals 57:00 Financial literacy and athlete education 1:00:00 Parenting, recruiting, and guidance 1:08:00 Facilities, environment, and development Connect & Follow The NIL Podcast by SportsEpreneurHosted by Eric Kasimov: https://x.com/Eric_KazFeaturing Stephen Bienko: https://x.com/StephenBienko https://sportsepreneur.com https://x.com/sportsepreneur https://www.linkedin.com/company/sportsepreneur

    1h 10m
  4. NIL Dealings in College and Now High School | Anthony Pitre

    09/05/2024

    NIL Dealings in College and Now High School | Anthony Pitre

    In this interview with Anthony Pitre, an NIL specialist for college sports. We discuss Pitre's experience working with athletes at the University of Florida and now at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as his involvement in the emerging field of NIL. They also touch on topics such as the marketability of athletes in different sports, the return of the EA Sports College Football video game, and the expansion of NIL to high school athletes in Florida. Other topics explored include the importance of transparency and communication between athletes and coaches, the role of compliance in educating athletes about NIL, the need for athletes to understand tax implications and the benefits of setting up an LLC, the value of giving back to the community through NIL partnerships, and the importance of authenticity and engagement on social media. They also discuss the process of choosing a trusted advisor for NIL opportunities and the growth of NIL in high school sports. "NIL Deals in College and High School" highlights The University of Florida is a hotbed of NIL activity, particularly in sports like football, gymnastics, and track and field.Athletes leverage their name, image, and likeness to secure marketing campaigns and collective deals involving their entire team.The return of the EA Sports College Football video game allows athletes to see themselves in the game and increase their exposure.Expanding NIL to high school athletes in Florida opens up new opportunities for them to monetize their NIL, but caution is advised to ensure eligibility for college sports.Compliance with university regulations and communication with coaches are essential factors to consider when pursuing NIL deals.Compliance departments play a vital role in educating athletes about NIL and ensuring compliance with regulations.Athletes need to understand the tax implications of NIL and consider setting up an LLC to manage their earnings.Giving back to the community through NIL partnerships can be a meaningful way for athletes to make a difference.Authenticity and engagement on social media are important for athletes to build their personal brand.NIL4U is part of the podcast network, SportsE MediaSportsE Media is a sports media platform and production company that connects entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, and fans. It focuses on sports, entrepreneurship, mental health, and media.Learn more: https://sportsepreneur.com/ NIL4U is also a part of QuietLoud StudiosQuietLoud Studios is the podcast network where reflection and voice come together.Learn more: https://quietloudstudios.com/ NIL4U is produced by the team at KazCMKazCM is a B2B content production company that builds assets and drives revenue by writing and talking. If you are looking to create a podcast, show, or written works, talk with the team at KazCM.Learn more: https://kazcm.com/ ConnectListen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsEAnthony Pitre: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-pitre-362141181/ SportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG Related content to "NIL Deals in College and High School | Anthony Pitre": NIL Pros and Cons | The College Game Is Changed Forever 5 Misconceptions About NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) | A Positive View Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:28 The University of Florida: A Hotbed of NIL Activity 03:00 Collective Deals and Team Marketing Campaigns 07:00 The Return of the EA Sports College Football Video Game 12:02 Expanding NIL to High School Athletes in Florida 19:30 Navigating Compliance and Coach Approval in NIL Deals 21:53 Transparency and Communication in NIL 23:23 The Role of Compliance in NIL Education 25:30 Understanding Tax Implications and Setting Up an LLC 27:48 Giving Back to the Community through NIL 30:29 Authenticity and Engagement on Social Media 39:07 Choosing a Trusted Advisor for NIL 43:03 NIL Opportunities in High School Sports

    45 min
  5. Success in the NIL Space Is Not Limited to the Top 1% | Sam Green

    09/03/2024

    Success in the NIL Space Is Not Limited to the Top 1% | Sam Green

    In this episode, we feature Sam Green, an educator in the NIL space who helps athletes build their personal brands and navigate the world of social media to monetize their platforms. She emphasizes the importance of efficiency and time management for busy athletes. Sam advises athletes to start with a clear goal and work backward to create a social media strategy that aligns with their post-athletic career aspirations. She also encourages athletes to batch their content creation and find platforms that facilitate NIL deals. Sam believes that athletes not in the top 1% can still succeed in the NIL space with hard work and a long-term approach. She also highlights the importance of giving back to the community and using their platform for a greater purpose. The conversation explores the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) on college athletes and the opportunities it provides for their personal and professional development. It highlights how NIL allows athletes to gain real-life skills, such as pitching themselves, negotiating, and creating content. The discussion emphasizes the value of athletes' experiences and mental fortitude, making them desirable hires in the job market. The conversation also touches on the challenges of scalability and sustainability in the NIL space and the importance of building teams and networks. Lastly, she mentions the AthleteCon convention and the significance of platforms like LinkedIn and X for athletes. Takeaways from NIL Content Creator Sam Green: Athletes should start by identifying their long-term goals beyond sports, then work backward to create content and build a brand aligned with them.Even athletes in non-revenue sports like track and field can make significant money through NIL if they work to create content and build a following.Batching content creation on off days and incorporating quick, easy-to-produce content helps athletes manage their time effectively.While football and men's basketball currently dominate NIL deals, female athletes are seeing increased opportunities and engagement.Through NIL, athletes are gaining valuable real-world business, marketing, and entrepreneurship experience that will benefit them after their athletic careers.Sam recommends athletes use platforms like LinkedIn and X to network with brands and decision-makers, not just Instagram and TikTok.Universities are starting to hire experts to facilitate brand deals and educate their athletes on NIL opportunities.Sam emphasizes the long-term value of building a brand that can transition beyond an athlete's playing career.She advises athletes to be wary of people who only want to profit from them and to seek out experts who have other revenue streams besides working with college athletes. NIL4U is part of the podcast network, SportsE MediaSportsE Media is a sports media platform and production company that connects entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, and fans. It focuses on sports, entrepreneurship, mental health, and media.Learn more: https://sportsepreneur.com/ NIL4U is also a part of QuietLoud StudiosQuietLoud Studios is the podcast network where reflection and voice come together.Learn more: https://quietloudstudios.com/ NIL4U is produced by the team at KazCMKazCM is a B2B content production company that builds assets and drives revenue by writing and talking. If you are looking to create a podcast, show, or written works, talk with the team at KazCM.Learn more: https://kazcm.com/ ConnectListen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsESam Green: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sambgreen/ SportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG Related content to "Success in the NIL Space Is Not Limited to the Top 1% | Sam Green": NIL Pros and Cons | The College Game Is Changed Forever 5 Misconceptions About NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) | A Positive View Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Sam Green and the NIL Space 02:22 Sam Green's Background and Transition to Educating Athletes in NIL 04:20 The Challenges of NIL for Athletes and the Importance of Self-Care 05:34 Efficiency and Time Management for Athletes in the NIL World 09:13 Navigating the NIL Landscape and the Importance of Having a Plan 10:44 Building Confidence and Empowering Athletes in the NIL Space 13:18 Batching Content Creation and Maximizing Efficiency 15:39 The Importance of Batching Time and Finding NIL Platforms 20:07 Success in the NIL Space: Not Limited to the Top 1% 24:32 Using the NIL Platform for Giving Back and Making a Difference 26:35 NIL and its Impact on Personal and Professional Development 28:21 The Value of Athletes' Experiences and Mental Fortitude 30:59 Scalability and Sustainability in the NIL Space 34:00 Building Teams and Networks for Success in NIL 41:34 The Significance of Platforms like LinkedIn and X

    44 min
  6. The King of D3 NIL | Jack Betts

    08/23/2024

    The King of D3 NIL | Jack Betts

    From Division III to NIL Success with Jack Betts In this episode of NIL4U, we sit down with Jack Betts, a former Division III football player from Amherst College who has made waves in the world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Here are the key highlights: Jack's NIL Journey: Learn how Jack went from a Division III athlete with limited exposure to securing over 40 NIL deals, breaking barriers for small-school athletes.The Make Your Own Legacy Academy: Discover Jack's innovative NIL education solution, which helps underserved athletes realize their potential in the NIL space.Notable Partnerships: Jack shares insights on his collaborations with brands like Insomnia Cookies, Invesco QQQ, and Sprayground, offering a glimpse into the diverse world of NIL deals.Authenticity in Personal Branding: The importance of maintaining a genuine online presence and the responsibilities of an expanded platform.NIL's Impact on Career Development: How Jack's experiences in NIL have shaped his professional trajectory and opened up new opportunities.The Future of High School NIL: A discussion on the potential implications of NIL in Texas high school sports and the challenges it may bring.Advice for Athletes: Jack offers valuable tips for fellow athletes navigating the NIL landscape, emphasizing proactivity and self-advocacy.NIL4U is part of the podcast network, SportsE MediaSportsE Media is a sports media platform and production company that connects entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, and fans. It focuses on sports, entrepreneurship, mental health, and media.Learn more: https://sportsepreneur.com/ NIL4U is also a part of QuietLoud StudiosQuietLoud Studios is the podcast network where reflection and voice come together.Learn more: https://quietloudstudios.com/ NIL4U is produced by the team at KazCMKazCM is a B2B content production company that builds assets and drives revenue by writing and talking. If you are looking to create a podcast, show, or written works, talk with the team at KazCM.Learn more: https://kazcm.com/ ConnectListen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsE SportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG

    58 min
  7. 04/27/2024

    NIL Representation with Darren Heitner, Sports and Entertainment Attorney

    In this conversation, we talk with Darren Heitner, a sports and entertainment attorney, about the world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college athletics with a focus on NIL representation.  They discuss the current state of NIL, the challenges and opportunities for athletes, brands, and parents, and potential future developments in the space. Heitner emphasizes the importance of proper representation and contract negotiation for athletes, and the need for brands to ensure a good fit with athletes and to consider non-monetary benefits. The conversation highlights the real-world education and entrepreneurial opportunities that NIL presents for athletes. "NIL Representation with Darren Heitner, Sports and Entertainment Attorney" Highlights NIL provides real-world education and entrepreneurial opportunities for athletes.Proper NIL representation and contract negotiation are crucial for athletes in the NIL space.Brands should ensure a good fit with the athlete and consider non-monetary benefits.Parents should be aware of the legal considerations and seek professional advice for their athlete.The future of NIL is uncertain, with potential changes in NCAA regulations and ongoing legal cases."This is 400-level business.""It's not only an amazing opportunity to exploit your value commercially. It's a unique opportunity to grow for the real world."Connect:Listen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsESportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG Other NIL Podcasts and Articles: The Evolution of Student-Athlete Compensation SE53 | Disrupting College Basketball With Creative Ideas | Joseph Bien-Kahn Why College Football Games Feel Longer Than Ever

    29 min

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The NIL Podcast by SportsEpreneur covers Name, Image, and Likeness news, athlete business strategy, NIL deals, collectives, and the legal and regulatory landscape shaping college sports — from football and basketball to March Madness and beyond. Built for athletes, sports professionals, universities, coaches, agents, and anyone operating inside the modern NIL ecosystem.

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