Career-First NIL? Yeah, I Said It.

Let’s Talk NIL (No, Really—Let’s Talk About It)

I’ve been doing some serious digging in the NIL space lately, and I figured it’s time to share a few thoughts. When NIL first hit the scene, I’ll be honest, I pretty much ignored it. I mean, you’re talking to someone who played in a conference that didn’t even offer athletic scholarships. So if you’d asked me what I thought, I probably would’ve said, “Kind of makes me mad.”

But here we are, NIL is not just a trend, it’s here to stay. So let’s talk about it.

Most of the early and current buzz around NIL is about short-term deals and quick wins. However, as a career coach working with athletes, I’m getting more and more questions about NIL. And while ignoring it might’ve been my move before, now I find myself asking:

What if we looked at NIL as a way to build business skills, develop the whole athlete, and set them up for success after graduation?

Hang with me for a second…

We can align NIL experiences with long-term career goals. Think about it, college internships help students stand out when they hit the job market. They gain experience, build relationships, network, and sharpen those ever-important “people skills.” So... can NIL offer some of that too?

I think so.

Now we’re in my zone.

But here’s the kicker: education is the key. And right now? It’s hard to find. Anyone calling themselves an NIL expert probably isn’t being totally honest. The landscape is new, fluid, and changing faster than a TikTok trend. No one really knows where we’re headed, or how we’re getting there.

Big marketplaces aren’t focused on education. Smaller college programs and Olympic sports want in, but they’re short on time, staff, and money. And at the high school level? It’s often falling to parents. That’s a tough ask, in my opinion.

Here’s what I know right now:

• Building your brand starts with answering: What do you want to be known for? Then, it’s about sharing authentic content that connects with your audience.

• Pitching yourself to a company is great business experience, but it needs to be done well.

• Overcommitting or misunderstanding the workload in a deal? That’s a real concern.

• Taxes and finances? Yep, those need to be taught and understood.

• If done correctly, the skills athletes can learn through NIL can absolutely help them transition to the “real world” after graduation.

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As this space evolves, I believe those who embrace education and see NIL not just as a side hustle but as a skill-building opportunity, will have the edge. I get it, education isn’t flashy or sexy. But in my mind? It’s critical.

So, if you’re a student-athlete, college or high school, and you want to dive into NIL, awesome! But get some help. Find someone who’s watching the space closely, who’s focused on education, and who’s committed to helping you grow this part of your athletic journey. Someone who’s thinking about both short-term wins and long-term success.

A Career-First NIL Coach? - I think I like the sound of that.

And parents? If you want to help (and I think that’s great), you’re going to need support too. Good resources are going to be key to navigating this shifting landscape and making sure NIL is a positive, empowering experience for everyone involved.

The NIL world will keep changing. It might feel chaotic right now, but hey - that’s how new things work. Test and adjust. That’s how we build something that lasts.