NIL Spotlight

In this episode of NIL Spotlight, Tom Burnett shares his journey through college athletics, the seismic shifts brought by NIL, and practical advice for student athletes and families navigating this complex landscape. Discover how NIL and revenue sharing are transforming recruiting, legal considerations, and the importance of financial literacy.Timestamps00:00 The Journey into College Athletics03:03 The Impact of NIL on College Sports05:59 Navigating State-Specific Laws and Regulations08:39 The Role of Agents in NIL11:20 Recruiting in the Age of NIL14:21 Financial Literacy for Student Athletes16:58 The Future of College Athletics19:40 Final Thoughts and Resources for FamiliesAbout Tom Burnett-Tom Burnett is a veteran collegiate athletics leader and former Southland Conference commissioner, where he served for nearly two decades as the league’s longest-tenured leader. He now continues to support the conference as a senior consultant, bringing more than 30 years of experience in athletic administration. Throughout his career, he has played key roles on numerous NCAA committees, including serving as chair of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee overseeing March Madness. Burnett is widely recognized for expanding media exposure, strengthening conference operations, and leaving a lasting impact on college athletics at both the conference and national levels.Resources-Tom Burnett's Website - https://www.tomburnett.comNIL for Texas Parents Book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXXSecond Book by Tom Burnett - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0XXXXXXWebsite - https://www.tomburnett.comFollow Brian DavidsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/Get Started with NILIf you're navigating NIL or supporting a student-athlete, understanding branding and strategy early can make a major difference in long-term success. Make sure to get started for free at nilgameplan.com

In this episode, Chris Krause, founder of NCSA College Recruiting and former Vanderbilt football player, shares how he’s helped reshape the path for student-athletes pursuing college opportunities. He breaks down recruiting, NIL, social media, leadership, and entrepreneurship, emphasizing family, realism, and responsible decision-making. Chris also reminds athletes that choosing a school isn’t just a four-year decision, but a forty-year one.Key Takeaways-Recruiting is a family decision and requires honest, realistic conversations-Understanding a coach’s role and priorities is critical in the recruiting process-Social media can significantly impact opportunities, positively or negatively-NIL and college athletics are evolving rapidly, creating new opportunities and risks-Leadership and entrepreneurship skills developed through sports have lifelong value-Choosing a college is a long-term life decision, not just a short-term commitmentTimestamps00:00 Introduction to Chris Krause and NCSA01:29 The Family Dynamic in Recruiting05:16 Understanding the Role of Coaches08:51 Common Mistakes in Recruiting10:30 Evolution of College Athletics and NIL13:19 The Impact of Social Media on Athletes19:04 Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Sports24:26 Legacy and Leadership DevelopmentAbout the GuestChris Krause is the founder of NCSA College Recruiting and a former Vanderbilt University football player. He built NCSA into a leading platform connecting student-athletes with college programs, helping hundreds of thousands navigate the recruiting process and unlock opportunities through sports.Resources & LinksNCSA College Recruiting: https://www.ncsasports.org/Athletes Wanted (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Athletes-Wanted-How-Get-College/dp/...Built to Win (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Built-Win-Leadership-Legacy-Transformation/dp/...Chris Krause Leadership Symposium: https://vanderbilt.edu/leadership-symposiumFollow ChrisLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskrause/Twitter: https://twitter.com/chriskrauseWebsite: https://chriskrause.com/Follow Brian DavidsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/Get Started with NILIf you're navigating NIL or supporting a student-athlete, understanding branding and strategy early can make a major difference in long-term success. Make sure to get started for free at nilgameplan.com

In this episode, Rachel Maeng, a former athlete turned NIL strategist, breaks down how student-athletes can build sustainable personal brands and navigate the evolving NIL landscape. She shares insights on making smarter recruiting decisions, leveraging social media, and creating long-term value in college athletics. Rachel also explores how NIL is changing opportunities across sports and what the future holds for athletes in this new era.Key TakeawaysYour personal brand is a long-term business asset, not just a social media presenceAthletes should start building their brand and online presence earlyNIL opportunities vary widely across sports, with growing potential for women and non-revenue athletesThe transfer portal adds complexity to decision-making and requires strategic planningSchools and collectives are evolving rapidly, creating both opportunities and risksTimestamps00:00 Introduction to Rachel Maeng and her NIL expertise01:10 Rachel’s recruiting journey and athletic background01:56 Transition from athlete to NIL strategist03:07 Evolution of NIL rules and technology04:21 The importance of personal branding06:07 Should athletes form an LLC?06:45 Common social media mistakes10:39 Opportunities for women and Olympic sports13:37 NIL in recruiting conversations15:57 Transfer portal and athlete decision-making19:05 Future trends in NIL and college athletics22:28 Risks of transferring and academic planning26:39 Building brand ecosystems for athletesAbout the GuestRachel Maeng is a former athlete and NIL strategist who helps student-athletes build personal brands, navigate NIL opportunities, and make strategic decisions in college athletics.Resources & LinksRachel Maeng on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-mengRachel Maeng on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachel_maeng/Brian Davidson on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianrdavidson/Get Started with NILIf you're navigating NIL or supporting a student-athlete, understanding branding and strategy early can make a major difference in long-term success. Make sure to get started for free at nilgameplan.com

In this episode, Brenden Hill, Assistant Athletic Director at San Diego State University, dives into the rapidly changing world of college athletics. He explores how NIL is reshaping recruiting, shares lessons from his career in sports leadership, and offers perspective on what the future holds for student-athletes navigating this new era.Key TakeawaysNIL has shifted recruiting from relationship-driven to more transactional dynamicsMisinformation is one of the biggest challenges in the NIL spaceSchools are building in-house NIL programs to better support athletesPersonal branding is now essential, starting as early as high schoolNon-revenue sports may see new opportunities through NIL growthTimestamps00:00 Introduction to NIL and Brendan Hill03:10 How recruiting has evolved in the NIL era06:14 Early NIL challenges and building trust09:07 Inside San Diego State’s NIL approach12:12 Supporting athletes day-to-day16:00 Common misconceptions about NIL18:44 Advice for high school athletes21:57 The future of NIL and college sportsAbout the GuestBrendan Hill is the Assistant Athletic Director at San Diego State University, where he focuses on NIL strategy, student-athlete development, and navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics.Notable Quotes“Misinformation is a major hurdle in NIL.”“Build your personal brand early.”“We had to build a team of experts to navigate NIL.”Resources & LinksNIL Gameplan: https://nilgameplan.comBrendan Hill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendenhill/Get Started with NILIf you're navigating NIL or supporting someone who is, check out NIL Gameplan.Just visit NILGameplan.com to get started for free.

In this episode, professional lacrosse player and former Notre Dame standout Kasey Choma shares how being a Division I athlete shaped her confidence, career path, and identity beyond sports. She highlights the transition out of athletics, the power of relationships and networking, and how athletes can translate key skills into the workplace, while also touching on NIL’s growing impact beyond traditional sports.