Most brands think the hard part of NIL is signing the right athlete. Wrong. Deals are easy. Activation—actually bringing partnerships to life across social, broadcast, retail, and events—is where brands truly win or lose. Plan your strategy before the ink dries, or watch your investment fall flat.
Read MoreStudent-athletes ignore "innovative" NIL solutions that don't solve urgent problems. The winning question isn't "How can we innovate?" It's "What's causing athletes pain right now?" Tax compliance, contract review, and deal identification get immediate traction. Brand building and long-term planning wait. Athletes buy painkillers, not vitamins.
Read MoreCollege athletes influence tens of millions of followers, but most brands chase follower counts instead of engagement. The winning move: multi-touch campaigns with athletes whose values match yours. Cultural relevance isn't bought through one-off posts—it's built through strategic partnerships that prioritize authentic storytelling over transaction counts.
Read MoreMost brands jump into NIL without strategy—expensive theater, not marketing. The winners share one thing: experienced sports marketers who know exactly what business problem NIL solves. Before writing that first check, answer this: What specific metric will NIL move? No answer means you're not ready, regardless of FOMO.
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