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Go tap in on our New Article discussing how College Athletes will benefit from having a Pro on their side when it comes to NIL.

In today's evolving sports landscape, building a personal brand is essential for college athletes aiming to make a seamless transition to the pros. With the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, athletes now have an incredible opportunity to monetize their brand while still in college. In fact, according to Opendorse, the average Division I athlete earned over $3,000 from NIL deals in the first year of implementation, with top athletes earning six figures or more. Successful brand building starts with defining a unique identity—one that reflects your values, personality, and story. It’s about being consistent in your messaging, staying true to your authentic self, and engaging with your audience regularly. Social media is a powerful tool for athletes, as 80% of NIL activities take place on social media platforms like Instagram, according to the NCAA. Sharing your journey, behind-the-scenes moments, and personal insights is a great way to connect with fans and expand your brand presence. As NIL deals become more prominent, athletes need to be strategic in choosing partnerships that align with their brand and values. Authenticity is key—brands want genuine partnerships that resonate with the athlete’s audience, which is why top student-athletes see the majority of their NIL earnings come from social media endorsements. Alongside brand building, understanding the legal, financial, and contractual aspects of NIL deals is crucial. Reports from Altius Sports Partners show that nearly 30% of student-athletes are seeking guidance on how to manage the legal and financial complexities of NIL. From securing the right endorsements to managing income and taxes, surrounding yourself with the right team of advisors can make all the difference. Building a personal brand not only opens doors to NIL opportunities but also creates a foundation for long-term success, both on and off the field. As athletes, it’s about thinking beyond the game and setting yourself up for success in every aspect of life. Start today by focusing on authenticity, consistency, and strategic partnerships, and make the most of the incredible opportunities NIL deals provide. According to a McKinsey & Company report, student-athletes who successfully manage their NIL and brand-building activities can position themselves for career success both in and out of sports. #PersonalBranding #NIL #AthleteMarketing #CollegeAthletes #BeyondTheGame #SportsBusiness #NCAA

Game Changer: How Athletes Win Big with NIL Deals👇🏽 In the evolving landscape of college sports, the introduction of N.I.L. (Name, Image, Likeness) has opened unprecedented opportunities for young athletes to leverage their personal brands. Your social media isn't just a platform for sharing moments; it's become your calling card...your resume...and ultimately, how you'll be judged in the eyes of potential sponsors. The digital footprint you create today can unlock a wealth of opportunities for sponsorships, transforming your passion into tangible rewards. However, this incredible opportunity comes with a caveat... mindfulness about what young athletes post. 🤔 In a world where your online presence can make or break your chances at success, strategic and thoughtful engagement on social media isn't just recommended; it's essential. As someone who has navigated the waters of personal branding and witnessed the power of a positive online image, my advice to young athletes is simple yet impactful⬇️ 👉🏽Craft your social media presence with the same dedication and strategy you apply to your sport. Your future sponsorships, and indeed your personal brand's value, depend on it.👈🏽 Read that again! Navigating N.I.L. is about more than just seizing opportunities; it's about creating a sustainable brand that reflects your values, ambition, and the legacy you wish to build. P.S. Curious about the N.I.L. landscape? Parents, are you keeping an eye on what your young athletes share online? Your insights could shape the future of sports branding. Tell me in the comments! Let's Talk.💯 #phase1sports #nameimagelikeness #sponsorshipopportunities #athletedevelopment

NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) regulations have transformed athlete marketing and opened new career paths for student-athletes! This article delves into the booming NIL industry, highlighting case studies and emerging trends. Click the link to learn more ⛹🏼♂️ #NIL #CCM #athletemarketing #studentathletes #businessinsider

💡 Boosting NIL Value for College Athletes: Opportunities for Local Businesses 💡 As NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) changes continue to reshape collegiate athletics, there are tremendous opportunities for both athletes and local businesses. Here’s how: For Local Businesses: 1. Increased Visibility: Partnering with student-athletes can enhance your brand awareness and tap into their fan base. 2. Targeted Marketing: Leverage the athletes’ strong connections with the local community for more engaging campaigns. 3. Event Collaborations: Host events with athletes to drive foot traffic and create buzz around your offerings. 4. Merchandising: Co-brand merchandise or products with athletes to create new revenue streams. (Even ice cream flavors) 5. Community Support: Supporting local athletes fosters goodwill and strengthens your business’s reputation. Students will want to support a business that supports their favorite team. 6. Social Media Marketing: Athletes can promote your business on their social channels, boosting online traffic. 7. Influence: Athletes’ endorsements can significantly impact the purchasing decisions of their peers and local residents. For College Athletes: 1. Build Your Brand: Develop a distinct and authentic personal brand on social media. What makes you, you? 2. Engage with Followers: Regularly post updates and interact with fans to build a loyal audience. That’s what brings people back. 3. Professionalism: Maintain a professional image both online and offline. Or, at the very least, maintain a marketable image that does not generate trepidation. 4. Network Locally: Reach out to local businesses for potential partnerships. As mentioned above, it could be the most symbiotic relationship possible. 5. Collaborate: Work with teammates and influencers to expand your reach. Two is better than one? 6. Utilize Resources: Take advantage of NIL workshops and mentorship programs offered by your school. Collectives are a great resource. 7. Highlight Achievements: Showcase your academic and extracurricular successes. Everyone loves a good student! 8. Create Quality Content: Invest in high-quality photos, videos, and posts. This is key. 9. Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with NIL regulations to ensure compliance. 10. Be Authentic: Share real experiences to build a genuine connection with your audience. Together, athletes and businesses can create powerful, mutually beneficial partnerships. Let’s embrace these changes and seize the opportunities they bring! #NIL #CollegeAthletes #LocalBusinesses #BrandBuilding #Marketing #CommunityEngagement #AthleteInfluence #SocialMediaMarketing #SportsLaw

BRANDS: When it comes to doing #NIL deals with college athletes, a larger following isn’t always better. —— As a brand, you want to get your products and services in front of as many people as possible, in order to generate as many sales as possible. And while leveraging student-athletes is a great way to do this, you don’t always need to find athletes with huge social media followings. —— For example: Athlete 1: 65,000 Instagram followers, 3% average engagement rate = 1,950 views/likes/comments/etc. per post. Athlete 2: 10,000 Instagram followers, 18% average engagement rate = 1,800 views/likes/comments/etc. per post. So while Athlete 2 has a fraction of the followers as Athlete 1, the number of engagements is roughly equal. —— Why is this important for brands? **1. More likely to work with you** Athletes with smaller followings generally won’t have as many brand partnership opportunities as athletes with larger followings and/or star athletes in general, so building a relationship with these athletes who want to work with you can be beneficial for brands - and potentially for a multi-year partnership. **2. More engaged audience** As shown in the above example, reaching an audience of a sponsored athlete with a significant engagement rate can yield big rewards: Views, sales, followers becoming supporters of your brand, etc. **3. More athletes to select from** If a brand wants to work with a big-name athlete and the athlete doesn’t reciprocate, the brand may find themselves in a bind. However, looking at the broader ecosphere of 400,000+ college athletes will benefit brands in finding a great brand ambassador and partner. —— Student-athletes (or parents of student-athletes): Let's work together to build your personal brand and NIL for long-term success. [tariq@sportscourt.info] #NIL #nameimagelikeness #brand #brandmarketing #socialmedia

🌟 NIL Marketability: Beyond Performance 🌟 As we navigate the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college sports, a common misconception shadows our understanding–that an athlete's marketability is solely tied to their performance on the field or court. Let's debunk this myth and shed light on what truly amplifies an athlete's appeal in the NIL realm: 🔍 Relatability - Connecting on a Personal Level Athletes who share their journey, challenges, and triumphs create a powerful connection with their audience. It's about the story, the hustle, and the heart behind the jersey. When athletes open up about their lives outside of sports, they become more than just players; they become inspirations and role models. 👁 Visibility - Being Seen in the Right Places Performance might get you noticed, but consistent visibility keeps you in the spotlight. Social-media-savvy athletes who engage with their followers, participate in community events, or feature in popular media stay on the radar of fans and brands alike. It's not just about being seen; it's about being seen often and in diverse contexts. 😊 Likability - The Magnet of Personality Charisma can't be measured in points or goals but attracts fans and brands. Positive, approachable, and genuine athletes tend to have a broader appeal. A likable personality can turn a local hero into a national icon, making them a magnet for endorsement deals, collaborations, and speaking engagements. In essence, while performance is undeniably important, the combination of relatability, visibility, and likability truly elevates a college athlete's marketability from an NIL standpoint. As industry professionals, embracing this broader perspective can unlock untapped potential, foster more meaningful partnerships, and drive the future of athlete endorsements. Let's champion athletes who are as remarkable off the field as they are on it and redefine success in the NIL era. Because at the end of the day, it's not just about the game; it's about the impact. #NIL #CollegeAthletes #Marketability #SportsMarketing #AthleteBrand

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 2024: 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 The world of college football recruiting (#cfbr) is a wild ride! Are you a high school athlete dreaming of playing at the next level? A coach scouting for future stars? Or maybe a diehard fan eager to see who your team lands? Well, get ready, because the strategies, rules, and timelines are always evolving. Let's break down what you need to know for success in 2024. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬: 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫: Key dates for contact periods, official visits, and commitment deadlines are your roadmap. Knowing when coaches can reach out and how the process unfolds is crucial. 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Your online brand matters! Optimize your social media profiles, highlight videos, and stats on platforms like Hudl and Recruit 757. Showcase your athleticism and academics. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐈𝐋: Name, Image, and Likeness deals are here to stay. Understand how this could impact your decisions and opportunities in college football. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Don't just wait for coaches to discover you. Research programs that align with your goals, reach out respectfully, and attend camps to get noticed. Do you have tips for navigating the recruiting landscape? Share your experiences in the comments! Are you a coach with insights for rising athletes? Feel free to add your advice. Let's help each other succeed in the #cfbr game! Let me know if you'd like help tailoring this further for a specific audience or want to dive deeper into any of the topics mentioned!

BENEFITS OF BUILDING A STRONG PERSONAL BRAND AS AN ATHLETE. Building a strong personal brand as an athlete can open many doors and create lasting opportunities. It makes an athlete more attractive to sponsors, leading to more endorsement deals and higher earning potential. A recognizable brand also helps an athlete connect deeply with fans, fostering loyalty and engagement that can boost their career both on and off the field. Moreover, a strong personal brand extends their influence beyond their playing days, offering opportunities in broadcasting, coaching, and business. It can also help them advocate for socio economic issues they care about, driving positive social change. In a competitive industry, a unique personal brand sets an athlete apart, ensuring they remain relevant and in demand. Focusing on building a brand as an athlete can help them unlock these benefits and achieve lasting success. #SportMarketing #SportBranding #AthleteManagement #SportEndorsement

How are your athletes building a brand that will outlast their sports careers? 🚀 Encourage them to explore interests beyond sports, helping them to build a brand that extends into other areas like business, philanthropy, or entertainment. This showcases the club as a platform for holistic athlete development, attracting fans and sponsors who value long-term engagement and diverse interests. Track the post-career success of athletes and associated brand longevity as a measure of the club’s impact in shaping well-rounded individuals. 🌐 The good news is there are some amazing people out there who can help you facilitate this - take a look at FutureProof Pro 👌 https://lnkd.in/dJPZVRCX #sport #marketing #brand #partnerships #brandidentity #brandpurpose #sponsorship #sportsmarketing #athlete #athletemarketing #smallbusinessmarketing #startups