THE COST OF FREE: Inside the NIL Marketplace Where Exposure Fails and Structure Wins

In this episode of Bound for Greatness, Scott Garvis sits down with Frederick “Fred the Jeweler” Bennett Jr. to pull back the curtain on the realities of Name, Image, and Likeness. While most conversations focus on landing deals, this one goes deeper—into what actually happens after they go live.Fred shares firsthand insight from working with hundreds of Division I athletes, revealing why most NIL partnerships fail to scale, how “free” quickly turns into exploitation, and why visibility alone doesn’t drive real business outcomes. From overwhelmed inboxes to unmet expectations, this episode exposes the gap between perception and reality in today’s NIL marketplace.More importantly, Fred breaks down what does work—why structure, accountability, and true partnership are the keys to sustainable success for athletes, brands, and athletic departments alike.This is a must-listen for athletic directors, coaches, brands, and anyone navigating the evolving NIL landscape.Because NIL isn’t just about getting a deal… it’s about what that deal actually produces.