19 episodes

Hosted by two renowned figures in the NIL space, Rob Finklestein and Trent M. Clark, this podcast dives deep into the dynamic intersection of sports, business, and personal branding. Rob Finklestein, the founder and CEO of Alumni Direct, brings his expertise from leading “Athletes Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey,” a podcast that sheds light on athletes transitioning from sports to the business realm. Trent M. Clark, a 3x World Series champion and CEO of AIM NIL Academy, complements the discussion with his profound insights from educating athletes about NIL systems and entrepreneurial strategies. He is also the voice behind the “Winners Find A Way” podcast, featuring interviews with notable athletes and business personalities.

NIL4U QuietLoud Studios

    • Sports
    • 5.0 • 1 Rating

Hosted by two renowned figures in the NIL space, Rob Finklestein and Trent M. Clark, this podcast dives deep into the dynamic intersection of sports, business, and personal branding. Rob Finklestein, the founder and CEO of Alumni Direct, brings his expertise from leading “Athletes Entrepreneurs: The Alumni Journey,” a podcast that sheds light on athletes transitioning from sports to the business realm. Trent M. Clark, a 3x World Series champion and CEO of AIM NIL Academy, complements the discussion with his profound insights from educating athletes about NIL systems and entrepreneurial strategies. He is also the voice behind the “Winners Find A Way” podcast, featuring interviews with notable athletes and business personalities.

    How NIL Impacted the NFL Draft

    How NIL Impacted the NFL Draft

    In this episode of NIL4U, Rob Finkelstein and Trent Clark are joined by David Gregory, an NFL agent and founder of Bullrush Sports. They discuss how NIL impacted the NFL Draft -- specifically, how athletes made decisions regarding their college eligibility due to Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities. They also touch on the success of the draft in Detroit. The conversation covers the financial considerations for athletes deciding whether to enter the draft, the role of agents in guiding athletes, and the potential for international players in the NFL. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities of NIL for college athletes and the need for education and protection in the space.
    Connect:Listen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsE
    David Gregory: X | NFLPA | Bullrush SportsRob Finkelstein: LinkedinTrent Clark: LinkedinSportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG
    Related content to "How NIL Impacted the NFL Draft":
    The NFL Streaming Era Has Arrived – And It’s Coming for Your Wallet
    NFL Viewership Trends
    NFL and Mental Health

    • 39 min
    NIL Representation with Darren Heitner, Sports and Entertainment Attorney

    NIL Representation with Darren Heitner, Sports and Entertainment Attorney

    In this conversation, Rob Finkelstein and Trent Clark interview 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 the athlete and 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 know 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 with Darren Heitner: X | LinkedIn | InstagramConnect:Listen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsERob Finkelstein: Linkedin | WebsiteTrent Clark: Linkedin | WebsiteSportsE 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
    The Evolution of Student-Athlete Compensation

    The Evolution of Student-Athlete Compensation

    In this conversation, Rob Finkelstein, Trent Clark, and Eric Mader discuss the evolution of student-athlete compensation and the challenges and discrepancies in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations. They explore the role of NIL collectives and boosters in supporting student-athletes and the impact of NIL on college athletics. 
    The conversation also explores the boundaries and regulations of NIL, sponsorship opportunities, and the influence of high-profile athletes. They discuss the reorganization and changes in college athletics, including the Dartmouth collective bargaining case. 
    Finally, they highlight the benefits of maintaining an LLC for NIL and a scandal that could potentially threaten the NCAA. The conversation discusses a scandal involving a wealth manager who misappropriated funds from his clients, including professional and college athletes. The manager offered bribes to major college coaches in exchange for referring wealthy athletes to him. The prevalence of such unethical behavior in college sports is alarming. The conversation also touches on the impact of leadership and the importance of values in sports. The concept of parity in college sports and the challenges and benefits of athletes transferring between programs are explored. 
    Takeaways
    The evolution of student-athlete compensation has led to the emergence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations, allowing student-athletes to monetize their brands.Implementing NIL presents discrepancies and challenges, with variations in opportunities and earnings for student-athletes across different sports and institutions.NIL collectives and boosters play a significant role in supporting student-athletes by providing resources, connections, and sponsorship opportunities.The expansion of brand partnerships in college athletics has opened up new avenues for student-athletes to earn income and gain exposure.The influence of high-profile athletes, such as Caitlin Clark, has brought attention to NIL's potential and its impact on the sports industry.There are boundaries and limitations to NIL, including restrictions on endorsing certain products or engaging in illegal activities.Reorganization and changes in college athletics, including forming new organizations and collective bargaining, may shape the future of NIL regulations.Maintaining an LLC for NIL can provide benefits in terms of taxation, legal protection, and business opportunities.A recent scandal threatens the NCAA and highlights the need for stronger regulations and enforcement in college athletics.Connect:Listen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsERob Finkelstein: Linkedin | WebsiteTrent Clark: Linkedin | WebsiteSportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG
    Other NIL Podcasts and Articles:
    NIL Agent | Scott Eisenstadt
    NIL for Good: Celebrating Athletes Who Give Back
    Jaiden Fields | Growing Up With Justin Fields, UGA Softball, and WWE NIL Next
    Chapters
    00:00Introduction and Background
    01:12 The Evolution of Student-Athlete Compensation
    04:28 The Role of NIL Collectives and Boosters
    05:32 The Impact of NIL on College Athletics
    06:36 The Boundaries and Regulations of NIL
    08:39 Sponsorship Opportunities for Student Athletes
    10:06 Expanding Brand Partnerships
    11:27 The Influence of High-Profile Athletes
    13:17 Boundaries and Limitations of NIL
    14:12 Reorganization and Changes in College Athletics
    15:27 Dartmouth Collective Bargaining
    19:05 Scandal Threatening the NCAA
    20:00 Wealth Manager Scandal
    21:12 Bribes to Coaches
    23:19 Challenges in College Sports
    24:06 Ethics and Legal Issues
    26:08 Leadership and Ethics
    29:13 Impact on Youth and Values
    30:15 Parity in College Sports
    33:10 Coaches Setting Examples
    35:27 The Importance of Sports in Life
    37:55 Closing Remarks

    • 38 min
    NIL Agent | Scott Eisenstadt

    NIL Agent | Scott Eisenstadt

    In this episode, Rob and Trent are joined by Scott Eisenstadt, an NIL agent, to discuss various NIL-related topics. They cover interactions with collectives, the impact of smaller Division I programs, opportunities and challenges for athletes, social media and marketing criteria, differences in NIL opportunities, and parental expectations and misconceptions. The principal themes discussed include the importance of transparency and information sources in the NIL landscape, the use of recruiting tools and facilities to attract athletes, the impact of the transfer portal on player opportunities, the potential for NIL deals to contribute to charitable causes, and the lack of transparency in the valuation and reporting of NIL deals.
    NIL Agent | Scott Eisenstadt | Takeaways
    NIL collectives have different processes for distributing funds to athletes, and some schools are still catching up with NIL regulations.Smaller Division I programs that gain national attention can attract more opportunities for athletes, but geography can still limit NIL opportunities.The amount of NIL opportunities for athletes varies based on factors such as social media presence, talent, and geography.Parents may have misconceptions about the potential earnings from NIL deals, and transparency among athletes and their families is important.Athletes not interested in managing their own NIL deals can benefit from working with agents who can handle the business side of things. Transparency is a significant issue in the NIL landscape, with a lack of information about the value of deals and the distribution of funds.Universities use recruiting tools and facilities, such as new trucks and state-of-the-art weight rooms, to attract athletes.The transfer portal allows athletes to explore new options, but careful consideration is needed to ensure the best outcome.NIL deals can be used for the good, with athletes giving back to their communities and supporting charitable causes.The lack of transparency in the valuation and reporting of NIL deals makes it difficult to assess the true value of opportunities.Scott Eisenstadt | LinkedIn | NIL Empire website Connect:Listen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsERob Finkelstein: Linkedin | WebsiteTrent Clark: Linkedin | WebsiteSportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG
    Other NIL Podcasts and Articles:
    NIL Pros and Cons | The College Game Is Changed Forever
    Using NIL to Change Lives | Ball State Softball Players Emma Eubank and Hannah Dukeman
    Jaiden Fields | Growing Up With Justin Fields, UGA Softball, and WWE NIL Next

    • 54 min
    Empowering Athletes Through NIL with Orlando Arnold

    Empowering Athletes Through NIL with Orlando Arnold

    In this episode, hosts Rob Finkelstein and Coach Trent are joined by Orlando Arnold, founder and CEO of Pyramid Sports and Entertainment. As a former Alabama State baseball player turned MLB agent, Orlando shares his journey and insights into the evolving NIL era. An episode about empowering athletes through NIL.
    Welcome to the NIL4U Podcast, an enlightening journey into the world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), brought to you by SportsE Media.
    Topics discussed in this episode:
    Orlando Arnold's Path: From choosing Alabama State to becoming a key figure in sports management.NIL Evolution: Understanding the impact of NIL on student-athletes and the importance of education in making informed decisions.Unique NIL Deals: Exploring groundbreaking NIL agreements, including Orlando's work with athletes and brands.Professional Athletes and NIL: How figures like Christian McCaffrey support college athletes through NIL initiatives.NIL for Good: Highlighting partnerships between athletes at Ole Miss and their contributions to social causes through NIL.Realistic NIL Expectations: Educating athletes and their families on what to realistically expect from NIL opportunities.Lifelong Learning in Sports: The importance of adaptability and continuous learning for athletes navigating their careers and NIL possibilities.Connect with Orlando: Instagram | LinkedIn | Pyramid Sports and EntertainmentConnect:Listen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsERob Finkelstein: Linkedin | WebsiteTrent Clark: Linkedin | WebsiteSportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG

    • 44 min
    Entrepreneurship & NIL with Thomas Coke

    Entrepreneurship & NIL with Thomas Coke

    In this episode of NIL4U, we talk NIL with Thomas Coke, a multifaceted entrepreneur, lawyer, and expert in branding and alternative finance. Thomas shares his wisdom from his extensive experience in launching ventures and navigating the NIL landscape, mainly focusing on the role of entrepreneurship in leveraging NIL opportunities for student-athletes.
    Welcome to the NIL4U Podcast, your guide to understanding and maximizing the potential of NIL in college athletics, presented by SportsE Media.
    Topics discussed in this episode:
    The significance of alumni engagement in expanding NIL opportunities for current student-athletes.The success of Campus Inc in the NIL market and what student-athletes can learn from it.Challenges faced by institutions like Florida State with NIL violations and how to navigate them.Inspirational stories of athletes who have successfully leveraged their NIL for greater opportunities.The UConn women's basketball team's philanthropic use of NIL jerseys to support cancer research -- this is the positive impact athletes can have beyond sports.The importance of the scholar-athlete model in the era of NIL and how it benefits student-athletes academically and athletically.The influence of NIL on small college athletics and the unique opportunities it presents.Practical advice for parents and student-athletes on maximizing NIL benefits while maintaining compliance and ethical standards.Thomas Coke's insights on the future of college athletics and NIL, emphasizing the value of entrepreneurship and strategic branding.Connect with Thomas Coke: Grand Valley State University | LinkedInConnect:Listen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsERob Finkelstein: Linkedin | WebsiteTrent Clark: Linkedin | WebsiteSportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG

    • 49 min

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An NIL Show that is So Needed!

Talk about a topic that is so confusing! Name Image Likeness. Everyone needs help understanding NIL. I mean everyone: college sports leaders and followers, athletes, parents, coaches, ADs, universities, businesses, brands, Congress, bloggers, and you name it. This NIL4U show looks to address this gap and I’m here for it. Please listen if you are at all involved or interested in NIL.

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