An emerging trend on larger college campuses is the creation of innovation districts. Typically located adjacent to the campus (or in the case of colleges with multiple campuses, the main location), these ecosystems involve businesses, residential and entertainment/sports options, creating a “24 hour a day” energy to an otherwise sleepy part of town. The upside of this trend is obvious to real estate businesses; increasingly, colleges are realizing the potential these have to create a new campus spirit.

My guest today is Erik Williams, the Real Estate Practice Chair at Saul Ewing LLP. Erik has extensive experience in this industry and is based in Philadelphia, an emerging hub in innovation districts. We also discuss the potential for using this financial vehicle to further energize NIL possibilities for college athletes.