Ball is Law Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. John DeWitt, a former professional football player, to break down how Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is impacting high school athletes and why understanding it early matters more than ever.NIL is still new, especially at the high school level, and there’s a lot of confusion around what it actually looks like. This conversation clears that up. From common misconceptions to how even small opportunities can have long-term effects, this episode focuses on what athletes and parents need to know right now.The role of parents is bigger than most realize. Early decisions can shape future opportunities, making it critical to approach NIL with the right mindset.The goal is simple: help athletes and families understand NIL so they can properly utilize it and build something that lasts beyond sports.Learn more here: http://jdfootballtraining.com/nil

In this episode of Ball Is Law, we sit down with Connor Printz to break down his journey from college basketball player to building one of the most recognizable personal brands in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) space.His story goes beyond highlights and stats. It is about understanding how to use your platform while you are still playing, not after it is over.College and high school athletes are no longer just competing on the court. They are building brands in real time. The ones who understand that early create opportunities that extend far beyond their sport.This conversation dives into what athletes should actually be doing to start their NIL journey. We also get into how he earned the nickname “NIL King,” what separated his approach from everyone else, and how he is now turning that momentum into his next chapter beyond basketball.If you are an athlete trying to figure out where to start, this is the blueprint.

In this episode of Ball Is Law, we sit down with Greg Chick, founder of NILnomics, to discuss the rapidly changing financial landscape of college athletics in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era.College sports are no longer shaped solely by competition, tradition, or rankings economics now plays a central role in how programs operate, how athletes are valued, and how the future of college athletics may ultimately be structured.This conversation dives into the financial realities behind NIL, exploring where the money is coming from, how conferences and institutions are adapting, and what the next version of college sports could look like as outside investment and new business models emerge.

Juwan Parker made his mark on the court as a basketball player at the University of Georgia, and now he’s building an equally impressive future off it.Now a 3L at Georgia Law, Juwan is on track to earn four degrees from UGA, making him a true Quadruple Dawg. In this episode, we discuss the discipline required to transition from high-level college athletics to the legal profession, how NIL has reshaped opportunities for student-athletes, and what today’s players still misunderstand about branding, contracts, and long-term career planning.Juwan shares his perspective as someone who has lived in both worlds, offering insight into where NIL is heading and how athletes can use their platform to build something that lasts well beyond their playing days.

In this episode, we sit down with Max Rusakov, Co-Founder of RevU, a company building real infrastructure around NIL contracts.We break down what’s really happening behind the scenes of NIL deals from contract structure and red flags, to how schools handle compliance, to how technology is starting to reshape the way athletes, brands, and even lawyers work with NIL agreements.Max shares what RevU is building, why the current NIL system creates risk for athletes, and how his company is working directly with athletes, school compliance departments, and legal professionals to bring clarity, speed, and protection into a space that’s still very new and very messy.If you’re an athlete, parent, coach, or someone working in NIL, this is an episode you want to hear.

What does it mean for college sports when an athlete can go pro and then come back? On this episode, we're having a crucial debate about the eligibility of a G League player to return to the NCAA. We discuss the potential ripple effects and whether this decision changes everything for student-athletes. We also cover the hot topic of sponsor patches on college football jerseys.

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Hiser, owner of Polaris Athlete, to talk about NIL from a different perspective. How it helps athletes prepare for life after sports and their future careers. The money is great, but there’s much more to NIL than flashy deals.We discuss how NIL can be a tool for learning real-world skills like responsibility, financial literacy, and personal branding. Jeff shares how Polaris combines academic advising, recruiting guidance, and NIL education to give student-athletes a foundation that lasts well beyond their playing days.This conversation shows how NIL, when approached the right way, can set athletes up not just for short-term opportunities, but for long-term success in school, business, and life.

This week, we’re switching things up. Instead of diving into the legal side of sports, we’re keeping it light and fun. Just pure football talk. John and I break down the upcoming NFL season, share our opinions on what to expect, and go division by division to predict who comes out on top. Of course, we couldn’t resist making our Super Bowl picks too.No case law, no contracts, just sports, hot takes, and a little friendly debate.If you’re ready for football season, you’ll want to hear this one.

In this episode, we sit down with Anthony Simon, a longtime friend I first met at basketball camp. Today, Anthony is a 3L at Hofstra University School of Law, and his journey shows just how far connections can take you.We talk about Anthony’s basketball career, what ultimately led him to law school, and how he’s navigating the NIL landscape, first as a former collegiate athlete and now as a future attorney. He also shares how networking has shaped his law school experience, opening doors to incredible opportunities.

This week’s episode covers four major stories in sports and IP. We start with Cal Raleigh and the risks of not filing a trademark on his nickname. Then we break down the ESPN and Paramount carousel WWE, NFL RedZone, and UFC all shifting deals in a battle over media rights. We also take a look at the Jets being the Jets, after getting denied on their latest trademark filing. And finally, we dive into the Utah Mammoth trademark problem and what it means for the NHL’s newest franchise. Four stories, one theme: trademarks and media rights shape the future of sports.

From college football player to lawyer, Rob brought a unique perspective to the pod on the House settlement, revenue sharing in college sports, and more… even if Chris had a few technical difficulties along the way.

College sports are in the middle of a full-blown transformation, and it’s all about the money. In this episode, we break down how revenue sharing is reshaping athlete compensation, why the American Athletic Conference rebranded to simply The American, and how schools like Texas Tech are going all-in with $28 million collectives to stay in the national conversation.

We’re back! This time, we’ve got a special addition to the show: John Martin joins the conversation! In this episode, we dive into the current landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and what it means for today’s college athletes. From the business of branding in sports to the future of athlete compensation, we cover it all and more.

We're welcomed by VeJhon Johnson, who gives us his hoops journey. We then switch to talking Bronny James and Jaylen Brown. Damian Lillard is still a Portland Trailblazer, which led to our discussion on the super max rule. Finally we talk about ESPN layoffs.

We are back with a special episode with a couple of special guests. The pod took a different approach this week. We start with the hazing accusations against Northwestern's football team and now former head coach. Afterwards, a conversation is sparked about the two major rule changes in the NBA. Next, we talk about star players seeking trades with their teams and MORE!

The guys start with life updates and provide a tip about studying for the Bar. We turn to Damian Lillard who has made some headlines about his desire to play for a certain team in Florida. Then we discuss the recent trades between Chris Paul, Marcus Smart, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jordan Poole. Finally we speak on our thoughts on this year's NBA Draft.

Ja has officially been hit with a 25 game suspension. However, this may not be the end of the story... The guys recap the NBA Finals and the great season we witnessed. Also, what are the next moves for the Miami Heat? With Beal to the Suns, we discuss how that impacts the league. In addition, we speak on NIL and how it may effect the release date of a new EA NCAA College Football video game.

On a brand new episode of the Ball is Law Podcast, we analyze the first two games of the NBA Finals. We then turn to the reports surrounding Kyrie Irving pitching LeBron to join the Mavericks. Numerous coaching changes occurred, and we provided our reactions to a couple of such changes. Also, after Adam Silver's comments on the Ja Morant situation, the guys have opinions on what "additional details" were uncovered by the NBA. Finally, let's talk about Taco Tuesday and trademarks!

After a crazy conclusion to the Miami-Boston series, we recap what we just witnessed. We then move on to discuss what's next for the Celtics. Essentially, did the Celtics forcing a game 7 change your thoughts on what they should do moving forward as a team? Next, we talk about Caleb Love choosing Arizona after leaving UNC. We then explain the importance of Bob Myers stepping down as GM for the Warriors. Finally, we talk about the NBA Finals matchup between the Heat and Nuggets!

Fresh off the Heat's game 4 loss, we discuss what this game meant for both teams. The Nuggets made it to the finals! However, what does this loss mean for the Lakers and LeBron. More coaching changes have been announced in the league and potential hirings are underway. We talk a little college hoops and the Caleb Love situation.

We start by recapping our birthday weekends and a quick discussion about the Bar Exam. We then ask, is there any way for the NCAA to monitor NIL being at the forefront for recruitment? Next, we track the updates of the Ja Morant situation and the firing of Monty Williams. Finally, the conference finals are set and we unpack what we expect from each series.

Where to begin... Coach Bud has been fired from the Bucks. But the guys discuss the timing of his firing. Embiid and the Sixers tied the series 2-2, with the Celtics, but we question whether he should have returned so soon. Jokic gets in a scuffle with the Suns new owner, Hailey Van Lith scores big in NIL, and we talk about the high turnover for NBA head coaches.

HEAT IN 5!! We'll dissect game 5 of the Bucks v Heat series. Also, more injuries roll in to talk about, we'll speak on their impact on each series. LSU Women's Basketball is building a super team while the Vegas Aces became the first WNBA team with their own practice facility. We speak on our excitement for the WNBA's future as well. Let's talk about the conference semi-finals and listen in as we give our predictions for each series.

It's no secret that the NBA officiating these playoffs has been a hot topic. We'll talk about the latest ejections and Draymond's suspension. Next, we unpack the playoffs and discuss a wide range of things that we are noticing in each series. Nick Nurse is OUT in Toronto, while Udoka is hired in Houston. Victor Wembanyama declares for the NBA draft... surprise, surprise! There are so many things happening in the basketball world and we got you covered in this episode.

IT'S PLAYOFF TIME! But first, we talk about Mikey Williams, NIL, and changes that could result from this situation. Ja Morant has filed a countersuit against the teen that accused Morant of assault, battery, and slander. We make a pivot to the NCAA where general managers are starting to get employment within college athletic departments. After a short chat about the CBA, we dive right into playoff ball and all we've seen so far!

The competitiveness of Michael Jordan could not be denied in the new movie Air, but not for the reasons you may think. The guys will talk about what they took away from the movie and why there might be some subtle jabs aimed at LeBron. Also, with the regular season coming to an end, tensions were running high amongst teammates, and decisions were made to end the Mavs season early. We talk about the play-in tournament, the Warriors coming alive, and MORE!

We kick off this episode by discussing Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. We also dissect Jaylen Brown's comments on whether he'll stick with Boston for the foreseeable future. The NBA and NBPA agreed on a 7 year deal to avoid a lockout! The guys go through a TON of new provisions that will be crucial for the future of the league. We then debate our first round of the "Best Team Since the 2000's" bracket!

We are joined by Frank Anton, who is an attorney for Huupe. If you haven’t heard of Huupe, you will soon. As previously featured on notable platforms such as House of Highlights, ESPN and Sportscenter, this is the first smart basketball hoop to hit the market! After our Huupe conversation, we pivot to Paul George and what his injury means for the Clippers. The Mavericks have also formally protested the result of their game against the Warriors this past weekend and the guys discuss! We talk Austin Reeves’ hot streak, Mario Chalmers hating on LeBron, and MORE!

This has been one of the craziest March Madness tournaments we've ever seen. We kick off this episode with some college basketball talk. Then we get into the possible return of LeBron this season with this Lakers squad. However, with rumblings of Kyrie wanting to join next summer, will LeGM make the call for another split between DLo and LA? Also, we talk about Damian Lillard's comments on "winning culture", which allowed us to easily transition into a conversation on a new MVP criteria. Lastly, we talk about how issues earlier in the season are coming back to haunt the Warriors.

Investigations on investigations… After seeing how the NBA dealt with the Ja Morant situation, the guys explore whether the league got other issues wrong this season (Mr. Kyrie Irving)... Also, it looks like the NBA is looking to require a minimum number of games played for major awards, such as MVP. We then explore whether Paul George’s comments on load management are warranted and how that conversation may change the NBA CBA as we know it! We finish with a little game of NBA trivia.

Welcome to Season 2 of Ball is Law with Chris D'Avanzo and Karsten Bailey. On this episode we dive right into the Ja Morant situation. We then pivot to NIL issues, our predictions for seedings going into the NBA Playoffs and MORE!