NIL NAVIGATION
Meet 12 Businesses Helping Athletes Secure NIL Opportunities
Disclaimer: Company descriptions and offerings have been provided by the founders of these businesses. Due to the novel nature of the NIL industry, it’s not yet possible to thoroughly verify these services. Furthermore, no questions were mandatory; allowing contributors to answer whichever they wanted to. This article is provided for informational purposes only, and NIL Network has no monetary affiliation or partnership with any of these companies.
By Austin Montbriand, NIL Network Research Analyst
Now that collegiate athletes are permitted to monetize their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), there are businesses that have begun to assist them in bolstering their brand and being safer in their dealings. There are many traditional talent and sports agencies that have recently started this process, but also many new businesses that have been created within the scope of assisting college athletes.
As a young student athlete, it can be overwhelming not only to enter a business transaction, but also to pick an expert that can guide them through the process. With that in mind and in line with the NIL Network goal of establishing a more transparent NIL industry, we met with twelve businesses that have established themselves in the space to ask about the types of athletes they have already helped and their tips to athletes in their future NIL dealings.
about these companies
What would you like potential clients to know about your agency? What differentiates you from others?
Once a client of ALM, always a client. We stand in the middle and are a trusted face and voice to successful collegiate and post-collegiate careers. We all go pro in something and ALM provides the framework, education, and direction to maximize this financial opportunity.
What sports do your athletes compete in?
Golf, Football, Basketball, Track and Field, Swimming, Gymnastics
What states are your athletes from?
Ohio, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina
What percentage of your athletes are male/female? (Estimation)
Male 75% // Female 25%
What is a goal your agency wishes to accomplish within the next three years?
ALM’s goal is to be the industry leader supporting student-athletes and their families with a low-cost everyday solution for financial, business, and lifestyle management.
How do you know if an athlete is a good fit for your agency? What type of attributes do you look for?
Most agencies are in this to make a quick buck. That is okay, but that is not what we do at ALM. We roll our sleeves up to do what everyone chooses not to do. If you want help to be better in your sport, better in the classroom, better in life, then ALM is right for you. We develop relationships for the long haul.
Best way for an athlete to reach out if they’d like to get in touch?
What would you like potential clients to know about your agency? What differentiates you from others?
We are the only wrestling-specific brand (that we know of) that was founded by active collegiate student-athletes; we were inspired by NIL opportunities and wanted to help support our collegiate wrestling peers by designing their collections and promoting their brands.
What sports do your athletes compete in?
Wrestling
What states are your athletes from?
Currently from Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Wyoming, although our goal is to get athletes from all states.
What percentage of your athletes are male/female? (Estimation)
Male 90% // Female: 10%
What is a goal your agency wishes to accomplish within the next three years?
We want to continue to grow the wrestling community by partnering with collegiate wrestlers. One key priority is to focus specifically on women’s wrestling – to open more doors and help create more opportunities for ALL wrestlers.
How do you know if an athlete is a good fit for your agency? What type of attributes do you look for?
Track record of athletic and academic success, positive role models, commitment to growing the wrestling community and leadership skills. Social media presence is a plus, but not required.
Best way for an athlete to reach out if they’d like to get in touch?
What would you like potential clients to know about your agency? What differentiates you from others?
We would like potential clients to know that we are willing to go the extra mile and fight till the end for our players. What sets us apart is that we truly value our players beyond them being an athlete. We can relate to them on more than one level of life with a full understanding of what they need.
What sports do your athletes compete in?
Football and Track
What states are your athletes from?
Tennessee, Louisiana, and Texas
What percentage of your athletes are male/female? (Estimation)
Male 95% // Female 5%
What is a goal your agency wishes to accomplish within the next three years?
In the next three years we look to look to grow and expand our team and clientele to other sports. Along with being the premier agency for college and professional athletes to work with for representation.
How do you know if an athlete is a good fit for your agency? What type of attributes do you look for?
We look to see if an athlete has the same values and beliefs as us. Along with being a great teammate and leader. Character is big for us, so that’s a major part in who we want to work with. We look at it as a partnership, and for it to work well we have to be able to work with one another.
Best way for an athlete to reach out if they’d like to get in touch?
What would you like potential clients to know about your agency? What differentiates you from others?
HFSE is a unique model in that we specialize in taking college athletes to the next level while maximize their time in college. We are the only Sports Agency that has built in Student – Athlete Development and develops the college athlete both on and off the surface. We grow our Student – Athletes and continue to represent them into the pro’s whether that be athletically or their desired career.
What sports do your athletes compete in?
Football, Soccer, Gymnastics, Rugby, Tennis, Golf, Beach Volleyball, Track & Field, MMA and Kayaking
What states are your athletes from?
California, Arizona, Ohio, North Carolina, Canada, Oklahoma, New York, Virginia, Illinois, Tennessee, Washington DC, Louisiana, Kentucky, Oregon, Alabama, England, New Zealand
What percentage of your athletes are male/female? (Estimation)
Male 50% // Female 50%
What is a goal your agency wishes to accomplish within the next three years?
We want to have 100% placement of our Student – Athletes in professional sports or jobs they are happy in.
How do you know if an athlete is a good fit for your agency? What type of attributes do you look for?
We have two metrics we measure on. Their athletic ability coupled by their brand ability.
Best way for an athlete to reach out if they’d like to get in touch?
What would you like potential clients to know about your agency? What differentiates you from others?
Deciding to have someone represent you can be stressful, that’s why our guarantee to you is Transparency, Honesty and Integrity.
What sports do your athletes compete in?
We’ll take athletes from all sports but currently; Acrobatics & Tumbling, Basketball, Football, Gymnastics, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Volleyball, Lacrosse and Track & Field
What states are your athletes from?
Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, North Carolina, Utah and West Virginia
What percentage of your athletes are male/female? (Estimation)
Male 15% // Female 85%
How do you know if an athlete is a good fit for your agency? What type of attributes do you look for?
We look for athletes that have a good personal story, strong social mission, credentials within their given sport and following on social media
Best way for an athlete to reach out if they’d like to get in touch?
What would you like potential clients to know about your agency? What differentiates you from others?
We actually care beyond the dollar. We have in house circle who’s actually a partner.
What sports do your athletes compete in?
Football and Basketball
What states are your athletes from?
Ohio
What percentage of your athletes are male/female? (Estimation)
95% Male // 5% Female
What is a goal your agency wishes to accomplish within the next three years?
Keep growing and adding more philanthropy
How do you know if an athlete is a good fit for your agency? What type of attributes do you look for?
Wants to learn and step out of the box
Best way for an athlete to reach out if they’d like to get in touch?
What would you like potential clients to know about your agency? What differentiates you from others?
We put a focus on creatively implementing brands into the content of the athletes we work with. . We take a unique, innovative approach to each NIL deal we facilitate, putting emphasis on building quality content as a part of each partnership.
What sports do your athletes compete in?
Basketball, Football, and Lacrosse.
What states are your athletes from?
New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Florida, California, North Carolina, Maryland
What percentage of your athletes are male/female? (Estimation)
Male 90% // Female 10%
What is a goal your agency wishes to accomplish within the next three years?
We hope to innovate the NIL industry into a place where each and every deal and partnership has creative content surrounding it. In addition, we hope to help the athletes that we work with build their brands, so they’re able to take advantage of future NIL deals as well.
How do you know if an athlete is a good fit for your agency? What type of attributes do you look for?
We look for athletes that are Out2Win — hungry to capitalize on their brand and hungry to monetize their NIL. — We’re willing to work with athletes of all sports, all backgrounds, and all tiers. — if you’re willing to put in the work and dedication, we can make you into an NIL superstar. With that being said, our niche in the NIL industry is content. In order for an athlete to be a fit with our brand, the athlete must be willing to be the center of content, while also being comfortable on camera.
Best way for an athlete to reach out if they’d like to get in touch?
- Email jack@out2win.net or sam@out2win
- DM on Instagram @out2winsports
What would you like potential clients to know about your agency? What differentiates you from others?
We not only work with athletes but also businesses. So, we have relationships with businesses in which we can directly place them within our marketing campaigns if there is an alignment. Our team is also comprised of young, former athletes so we are able to relate in ways that some more established agencies may not.
What sports do your athletes compete in?
Football, soccer, volleyball, track and field.
What states are your athletes from?
Primarily North Carolina in some manner, whether they grew up there or currently play in the state.
What percentage of your athletes are male/female? (Estimation)
Male 50% // Female 50%
What is a goal your agency wishes to accomplish within the next three years?
We would like to be able to successfully develop an athlete from having no marketing platform to being featured amongst top (inter)national brands consistently.
How do you know if an athlete is a good fit for your agency? What type of attributes do you look for?
An athlete needs to be well-rounded and have a positive reputation. They do not necessarily have to be the most outgoing but they should be well-liked amongst their teammates and coaches. If the people they are with every day don’t like them it is hard to sell that to a business’ audience or fans. An athlete should have passions outside of their sport. (S)he should be able to communicate effectively and not be afraid to be authentic. Most of all an athlete needs to take their marketing seriously. We want athletes that view themselves as a business in this regard, because that is how we market them most effectively.
Best way for an athlete to reach out if they’d like to get in touch?
What would you like potential clients to know about your agency? What differentiates you from others?
We are a full-service agency that takes a concierge approach to our athletes’ lives and careers. We don’t have any middlemen or Junior Agents, just dedicated reps who know our players, their talents and their goals. Our athletes often fly under the radar and we love introducing them to a national audience, helping them finally gain the recognition they deserve.
What sports do your athletes compete in?
Baseball
What states are your athletes from?
All East Coast for now, primarily NJ
What percentage of your athletes are male/female? (Estimation)
Male 100%
How do you know if an athlete is a good fit for your agency? What type of attributes do you look for?
We look at the whole athlete, not just stats or projections. We want guys who embrace the grind (both mentally and physically), who have the right mindset and clear expectations, and who fit in with the personality of the agency. We spend a lot of time getting to know our players and their families and often find the best fit with those who are under the radar in need of a full service approach to their lives and careers.
Best way for an athlete to reach out if they’d like to get in touch?
What would you like potential clients to know about your agency? What differentiates you from others?
Our agency is a team-focused firm that works in tandem with the client’s needs and goals. We make sure that each client understands every step of the process and how to own their career as an influencer.
What sports do your athletes compete in?
We have clients in Football (professional and college), Baseball, Tennis and general fitness influencers.
What states are your athletes from?
Florida and New Jersey
What percentage of your athletes are male/female? (Estimation)
Male 100% // Female 0% (With efforts to sign female athletes)
What is a goal your agency wishes to accomplish within the next three years?
Help as many student athletes as possible whether they are our clients or not, we want to empower athletes to see the potential NIL has and how much influencer they have in driving the market.
How do you know if an athlete is a good fit for your agency? What type of attributes do you look for?
We will always help any athlete that comes with questions or needs guidance but we sign athletes who are driven to work hard and wants to maximize their NIL potential.
Best way for an athlete to reach out if they’d like to get in touch?
What would you like potential clients to know about your agency? What differentiates you from others?
We have a collection of business professionals with decades worth of experience beyond sport. We emphasize the relationship between strategy and creative, as well as multi-platform and traditional marketing integration.
What sports do your athletes compete in?
Football, boxing, rugby, water polo, soccer, surfing
What states are your athletes from?
CA, TN, NJ, GA, TX
What percentage of your athletes are male/female? (Estimation)
Male 50% // Female 50%
What is a goal your agency wishes to accomplish within the next three years?
Normalizing scalable and actionable campaigns that benefit athletes of all levels and all sports.
How do you know if an athlete is a good fit for your agency? What type of attributes do you look for?
Athletes with a long term-vision of leveraging their positions to make a genuine impact.
Best way for an athlete to reach out if they’d like to get in touch?
What would you like potential clients to know about your agency? What differentiates you from others?
Our approach to NIL is differentiated through strategic brand outreach, PR and content creation strategies. We get to know our athletes to the core, and approach deals based on the talent’s areas of interest, geography and sport. We have years of experience creating compelling content for athletes and brands alike, paving the way for continuous brand development!
What sports do your athletes compete in?
Baseball, football, soccer, basketball, softball
What states are your athletes from?
TX, NC, GA, LA, CA, FL, OH, NY
What percentage of your athletes are male/female? (Estimation)
Male 80% / Female 20%
What ifs a goal your agency wishes to accomplish within the next three years?
Over the course of the next three years, we have our sights set on innovative additions to the business, including in-house services that provide athletes with a wide range of mentorship services. From professional development and networking, to legal services and tax consulting, our athletes will be provided exceptional mentorship services that go outside the scope of traditional and digital marketing.
How do you know if an athlete is a good fit for your agency? What type of attributes do you look for?
When deciding whether or not an athlete is a good fit to work with us, we look at a number of factors. Commitment to their sport and to their involvement in sports marketing is a huge factor. We also see tremendous upside in athletes who have core values, strong aspirations and demonstrate positivity. Athletes who have a strong social influence, typically find a nice blend of on-field success and marketability off the field.
Best way for an athlete to reach out if they’d like to get in touch?
- By Phone: 585-857-0893
- By Email: gangarossa.garrett@
xfactorsportsconsulting.com
insights & tips
Jump to a Question
What are three things you believe every athlete should think about before executing on a NIL deal?
Divine Sports & Entertainment
- Do not get locked into a long-term deal.
- Understand how and when you’re getting paid.
- Don’t sign until you understand everything with that contract.
Alliance Lifestyle Management
- Focus on what you can control. The single greatest asset to invest in is you, the talent – that has by far, the biggest potential return on investment, so focus and importance should be on your on-field and classroom success. Everything else follows…not the other way around.
- YOU are your best salesman. Hometown businesses, university alumni, college towns, want to be part of your journey. Apps and agents only tell part of the narrative. Reach out directly with these potential relationships and share YOUR story with them. It’s okay to bring an agent in after you made the connection.
- Don’t be short-sided. Small NIL deals will evolve. A $250 meet and greet can turn into a room full of future employers and sponsors!
Narrow Pathway Management
- Do I truly believe in the company or product I are going to promote?
- What deliverables will the company require?
- How much time will the deliverables require?
X-Factor Sports Consulting
- Is this something I am INTERESTED in promoting, working with and accelerating. If not, both brand and athlete will not get the most out of the relationship
- Is this deal putting me in the best position to succeed (compensation, legalities, marketing, athletics, training, etc.)
- Am I marketing myself appropriately and efficiently and am I an influencer or just an athlete looking to dabble in NIL!
Hawker Family Sports and Entertainment
- Your value as a brand, make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth.
- Brand cohesion, make sure you’re partnering with brands that you would want to be viewed as an extension to your brand.
- Contract review, get a 3rd party (friend, family, agency) to look at every contract before you sign. Understand what to look for in that contract.
OFFSZN
- What they want to gain outside of monetary compensation from the brand (business knowledge, internship opportunity, etc.)
- Is the term and the obligations worth what I am receiving?
- How can I leverage this opportunity to take to a competitor or for a counteroffer?
Shine Sports & Entertainment
- The terms of the deal and whether the compensation accurately reflects their fair market value,
- Whether this company is a brand they enjoy and support
- If the deal will affect their eligibility as a NCAA or NAIA athlete.
What are the top industries (Ex: health & wellness, apparel, jewelry) that you see student athletes partnering with and benefiting from?
NIL Management
- Automotive
- Crypto
- Entertainment Wellness
X-Factor Sports Consulting
- Coaching/Mentorship
- Merchandise
- NFT’s
Alliance Lifestyle Management
- Health & Wellness, including Medical
- Beverage
- General Small Business
Narrow Pathway Management
- Apparel
- Food service
Hawker Family Sports and Entertainment
- Health & Wellness
- Media
- Food & Beverage
Chain Wrestling
- Apparel
- Health & Wellness
- Restaurants
Transition Sports x Entertainment
- Non-profits
- Local Establishments
OFFSZN
- Apparel
- Health & Wellness
- Food and beverage
Shine Sports & Entertainment
- Lifestyle brands
- Health and Sports
O2W
- Food
- Fashion
- Apparel
Divine Sports & Entertainment
- Apparel and merchandise
- Nutrition and health
- NFT
What is the most common mistake you’ve seen student athletes make when attempting to execute a deal without any assistance?
Hawker Family Sports and Entertainment
- Accepting NIL deals for way under their market value.
Divine Sports & Entertainment
- Not understanding all of the deliverables. Rushing into a deal without fully understanding everything it entails, along with giving away too much of their rights.
Prime Sports Agency
- Not understanding the compliance structure within their particular state or university.
Alliance Lifestyle Management
- It is great to get a deal done…but don’t undervalue yourself and box yourself into a corner. Be careful signing long-term deals without a ‘performance clause’ that would either increase your compensation or allow you to renegotiate. Signing a 4-year contract as Freshman when you are not getting a lot of playing time versus the value of that same contact as a Junior and now conference champion, are two completely different valuations.
Transition Sports x Entertainment
- Shortsightedness of immediate returns vs. relationship building. Inability to utilize metrics to justify growth.
O2W
- The biggest issue we’ve seen thus far is a lack of creativity when it comes to the concept of the partnership. The more creative, authentic, and engaging the content is, the better the partnership turns out for both sides of the deal.
Shine Sports & Entertainment
- Accepting a deal without negotiating the terms (mainly compensation) or building a relationship with the company/brand for future deals.
OFFSZN
- Doing too much for too little.
Chain Wrestling
- Actively managing social media channels in relation to NIL deal
X-Factor Sports Consulting
- Signing something that puts them at a disadvantage. (Lower compensation rate then what is deserved, lengthy agreements, compliance issues and workload management issues!)
Narrow Pathway Management
- Lopsided deals and compliance issues when it comes to companies wanting to use photos/videos of athletes in uniform or wearing school registered marks.
NIL Management
- Giving away their NIL rights.
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