The NIL Podcast by SportsEpreneur

NIL money creates opportunity, but who protects the athlete when contracts, taxes, recruiting promises and injuries collide? M. Duane Miller, The Texas NIL Lawyer and former Texas football co-captain, joins Eric Kasimov on building an advisory team, evaluating offers beyond the largest number and the case for a college players association.

Full episode notes and guest resources:
https://sportsepreneur.com/who-protects-college-athletes-duane-miller/

Originally published on SportsEpreneur on August 27, 2026. Recorded August 20, 2026. This is the complete original conversation. NIL rules continue to change; this discussion is general information, not legal or tax advice.

Episode Timestamps

• (00:00) - College football’s changing economics

NIL is giving college athletes new opportunity, but the legal side is getting harder to ignore.

In this conversation, Philip Sheng, partner at Venable LLP, breaks down NIL through the lens of intellectual property, right of publicity, athlete contracts, college eligibility, and the changing business of college sports.

Eric Kasimov and Philip discuss the College Sports Commission, fake NIL vs. real NIL, the Nebraska/PlayFly case, transfer portal culture, non-revenue sports pressure, high school NIL, sports betting, and why athletes should be careful about making life decisions based only on money.

Key Takeaways

• NIL is both an athlete compensation issue and an intellectual property issue
• Right of publicity is the legal foundation behind many NIL questions
• College athletes need better education around contracts, taxes, agents, and rights
• Not every NIL deal is worth making a life decision around
• The College Sports Commission is trying to separate real NIL from pay-for-play
• The Nebraska/PlayFly situation shows how important contract details and deliverables are
• Non-revenue sports like tennis and swimming face real pressure after the House settlement
• International recruiting and age-based eligibility rules are affecting college rosters
• High school NIL creates opportunity, but also adds risk for younger athletes
• Sports betting is becoming one of the biggest trust and wellness issues in college sports
• College still has value beyond athletics, money, and short-term opportunity

Episode Chapters

00:00 – Philip Sheng’s background in law, NIL, and college sports
03:04 – Conference realignment and the travel burden on athletes
05:19 – How college sports changed from opportunity to money
08:23 – NIL education, taxes, agents, and bad advice
12:25 – Whether NIL has gone too far
14:21 – Fan loyalty, roster turnover, and the value of staying
18:00 – The College Sports Commission and NIL enforcement
21:00 – Nebraska, PlayFly, and what NIL deals need to include
25:00 – Lawyers, arbitration, and whether the CSC can work
28:11 – Big Ten, SEC, playoff expansion, and media money
30:29 – Media rights, rivalry games, and breaking away
34:39 – Philip’s NIL contract work with athletes, schools, and brands
36:08 – Why brands should look beyond star athletes
38:20 – What families need to know before signing NIL contracts
40:38 – IP rights, long-term control, and the Taylor Swift example
42:02 – Non-revenue sports cuts after the House settlement
44:29 – International athletes, eligibility rules, and roster pressure
48:00 – High school NIL and protecting younger athletes
50:29 – Sports betting, college students, and athlete data concerns
54:34 – College education, cost, and long-term decision-making
59:28 – Where to find Philip Sheng

Connect & Follow

• Follow The NIL Podcast by SportsEpreneur for more conversations on athlete business, NIL strategy, and the evolving college sports landscape.
• Philip Sheng: X | LinkedIn | Venable LLP
• Eric Kasimov: LinkedIn | X
• SportsEpreneur: LinkedIn | X

NIL, soccer development, and the next generation of player-led pathways.

In this conversation, Brando Babini, founder of Youth for Youth Football Club, breaks down how youth soccer, college recruiting, content, mentorship, and American soccer development are changing.

Eric Kasimov and Brando discuss the pressure young players face, the rise of the transfer portal, international recruiting, pay-to-play barriers, MLS and USL growth, and why the future of soccer in the United States may depend on building better pathways for domestic players.

Key Takeaways

• Youth soccer needs more player-led mentorship
• College soccer recruiting is being reshaped by the transfer portal
• Domestic players face new pressure from older and international recruits
• Pay-to-play still creates major barriers in American soccer
• Showcases should create real opportunity, not just more cost
• Players need agency before they reach college or the pros
• Parents can support the journey without controlling it
• Good teammates and leaders are developed through daily exposure
• Content can help players and programs get discovered
• Street soccer and small-sided games can bring more freedom back into the sport

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Youth for Youth Football Club
00:29 – Brando’s schedule between Brown and New York
01:00 – Starting Youth for Youth at 16
02:15 – Brando’s recruiting journey and Brown University
03:00 – When the soccer dream starts to shift
04:00 – Injuries, coaching challenges, and the need for mentorship
04:50 – Building what he wished existed as a youth player
05:12 – Nike street soccer and alternative pathways
05:40 – College soccer recruiting and the transfer portal
06:00 – How recruiting has changed in college soccer
07:00 – International players and roster pressure
08:20 – Goalkeepers, college rosters, and difficult pathways
10:13 – Why domestic player development has to improve
11:45 – MLS, USL, and the future of American soccer
12:30 – Promotion, relegation, and soccer culture
14:25 – Charlotte FC, accessibility, and growing the game
16:27 – Where MLS stands globally
19:00 – World Cup impact and youth soccer infrastructure
20:00 – Breaking down pay-to-play barriers
24:00 – Why profit incentives are not always bad
25:00 – Building a better development model
27:00 – Making Youth for Youth more need-blind
28:00 – Playing time, competition, and development
31:00 – Parent pressure and athlete responsibility
32:57 – Why players need to speak for themselves
34:08 – Expanding Youth for Youth by region
36:00 – Brown University, professors, and entrepreneurship
38:12 – What college can offer beyond classes
40:26 – Helping young athletes become better teammates
41:16 – Leadership, captains, and mentorship
43:00 – Controlling what you can control
44:11 – Coaching intensity and parent reactions
47:43 – Content, discovery, and player applications
48:57 – Nike Toma and the value of street soccer
51:00 – Messi, Ronaldo, and the GOAT conversation
51:21 – Premier League complaints and global soccer
52:48 – Best players in the world today
54:42 – World Cup predictions
57:00 – Where to find Youth for Youth

Connect & Follow

The NIL Podcast by SportsEpreneur 
Hosted by Eric Kasimov: https://x.com/Eric_Kaz 

Featuring Brando Babini / Youth for Youth Football Club:
Youth for Youth Football Club: https://y4yfc.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/y4yfc/

SportsEpreneur: https://sportsepreneur.com
X: https://x.com/sportsepreneur 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sportsepreneur

NIL is no longer just about deals. It is becoming a marketing, data, and infrastructure problem.

In this conversation, Brent Wall, co-founder and CEO of Student Athlete Score, breaks down how schools, athletes, and brands are using data to understand athlete value, social reach, campaign performance, and NIL ROI.

Eric Kasimov and Brent discuss how NIL is moving from chaos and headline chasing toward measurable marketing systems, why local and regional brand deals matter, and how athletes can build platforms that last beyond sports.

Key Takeaways

•  NIL is moving from chaos toward measurable ROI
•  Student Athlete Score helps schools, athletes, and brands understand athlete value
•  Follower counts alone do not tell the full story
•  Local and regional brand deals may be a major NIL opportunity
•  Schools are building new commercial roles around NIL and athlete marketing
•  Donor fatigue is forcing more focus on real brand value
•  AI and data can help match athletes with better-fit opportunities
•  Olympic and non-revenue athletes may be overlooked NIL opportunities
•  Youth athletes are being pushed to think about personal brand earlier
•  Athlete branding can create skills that last beyond sports

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
01:50 The professionalization of sports at every level
03:00 Why young athletes now have to think about personal brand
04:39 Social media cleanup, exposure, and pressure on kids
06:32 What Student Athlete Score does
07:56 Measuring athlete value on social media
08:35 How universities use the platform
10:05 AI, discovery, and local brand deals
11:39 NIL education, taxes, and athlete responsibility
13:36 The old Wild West of NIL and the new one
15:59 Compliance, NIL Go, and regulation
16:22 Eligibility, the five-and-five rule, and college sports consistency
19:35 Tournament expansion, TV money, sports betting, and more games
23:00 Olympic sports and non-revenue programs
26:17 Donor fatigue and the need for NIL ROI
29:41 Why money does not guarantee winning
31:19 The transfer portal and mid-major programs
36:00 International athletes, age gaps, and roster pressure
38:49 Olympic athletes, NIL, and personal brand gaps
40:28 Bots, fake followers, and better data
42:31 Why athlete interests matter to brands
43:31 Building a platform for life after sports
44:11 Youth sports, high school athletes, and brand education
46:21 NIL as sales and marketing education
47:21 Team dinners, micro-influencers, and local business value
50:40 How Student Athlete Score grew with universities
51:26 New commercial roles inside athletic departments
52:57 Where to find Brent Wall and Student Athlete Score

Connect & Follow

The NIL Podcast by SportsEpreneur
Hosted by Eric Kasimov: https://x.com/Eric_Kaz

Brent Wall: LinkedIn
Instagram: @studentathletescore

SportsEpreneur

https://sportsepreneur.com

https://x.com/sportsepreneur

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sportsepreneur

NIL may officially begin in college, but the pressure now starts much earlier.

In this conversation, Dave Yoo, founder of Onsides, breaks down how youth sports has quietly become a massive industry shaped by travel, private training, recruiting, branding, and rising expectations for both athletes and parents.

Eric Kasimov and Dave discuss the growing cognitive load families carry, how NIL is pushing pressure downstream into younger ages, and why the future of youth sports may depend on reducing chaos instead of adding more to it.

Key Takeaways

• NIL pressure is moving downstream into younger athletes  
• Youth sports has quietly become a $50B+ ecosystem  
• Parents are carrying a massive emotional and logistical load  
• The gap between recreational sports and elite club sports keeps growing  
• AI can reduce stress when it solves real-world problems  
• Travel, recruiting, and training culture are reshaping family life  
• Athlete branding now starts earlier than ever  
• Youth sports still works best when kids simply get to play  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction 
01:30 The size and growth of the youth sports market 
04:00 Why Dave Yoo started building Onsides 
06:00 The chaos parents manage across sports platforms 
08:00 Cognitive load and the hidden pressure on families 
11:00 Private coaching, training, and monetization 
13:00 How Onsides uses AI carefully 
16:00 AI disruption and startup building 
19:00 Advice for students and young founders 
22:00 Youth sports commercialization and rising expectations 
27:00 Recreational sports vs. high-pressure club culture 
31:00 Parent behavior, overuse injuries, and sideline culture 
35:00 NIL, recruiting, and pressure on younger athletes 
41:00 Media, AI, and signal amplification 
46:00 Phones, social media, and youth athletes 
50:00 The future of youth sports 

Connect & Follow

The NIL Podcast by SportsEpreneur 
Hosted by Eric Kasimov: https://x.com/Eric_Kaz 

Onsides: https://getonsides.com/ 
Dave Yoo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveyoo/ 

SportsEpreneur: https://sportsepreneur.com
X: https://x.com/sportsepreneur 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sportsepreneur

When NIL exposed the value of athletes, it didn’t build the system around them.

In this conversation, Stephen Bienko (42U) breaks down what’s missing — from athlete development and identity to leadership gaps in college athletics — and what needs to change next.

This episode focuses on what actually matters now: decision-making, brand equity, and building something that lasts beyond the moment.

Key Takeaways

• NIL exposed athlete value, but not athlete development
• Brand equity matters more than chasing short-term deals
• Most athletes aren’t prepared for the decisions they now face
• College programs still lag in leadership and infrastructure
• Soft skills are becoming more valuable, not less

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:30 Stephen’s path: Air Force Academy to Villanova

04:00 Early challenges and defining moments

08:00 What NIL revealed (and what it missed)

10:00 Inside the 42U approach

15:00 Athlete identity and long-term thinking

19:00 Leadership gaps in college athletics

22:00 Athletes as economic drivers

26:00 Why soft skills still matter

30:00 Recruiting, evaluation, and decision-making

36:00 “College sports is not a business”

48:00 Brand equity vs. chasing deals

57:00 Financial literacy and athlete education

1:00:00 Parenting, recruiting, and guidance

1:08:00 Facilities, environment, and development

Connect & Follow

The NIL Podcast by SportsEpreneur
Hosted by Eric Kasimov: https://x.com/Eric_Kaz
Featuring Stephen Bienko: https://x.com/StephenBienko

https://sportsepreneur.com

https://x.com/sportsepreneur

https://www.linkedin.com/company/sportsepreneur

In this interview with Anthony Pitre, an NIL specialist for college sports. We discuss Pitre's experience working with athletes at the University of Florida and now at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as his involvement in the emerging field of NIL. They also touch on topics such as the marketability of athletes in different sports, the return of the EA Sports College Football video game, and the expansion of NIL to high school athletes in Florida. Other topics explored include the importance of transparency and communication between athletes and coaches, the role of compliance in educating athletes about NIL, the need for athletes to understand tax implications and the benefits of setting up an LLC, the value of giving back to the community through NIL partnerships, and the importance of authenticity and engagement on social media. They also discuss the process of choosing a trusted advisor for NIL opportunities and the growth of NIL in high school sports.

"NIL Deals in College and High School" highlights

• The University of Florida is a hotbed of NIL activity, particularly in sports like football, gymnastics, and track and field.
• Athletes leverage their name, image, and likeness to secure marketing campaigns and collective deals involving their entire team.
• The return of the EA Sports College Football video game allows athletes to see themselves in the game and increase their exposure.
• Expanding NIL to high school athletes in Florida opens up new opportunities for them to monetize their NIL, but caution is advised to ensure eligibility for college sports.
• Compliance with university regulations and communication with coaches are essential factors to consider when pursuing NIL deals.
• Compliance departments play a vital role in educating athletes about NIL and ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Athletes need to understand the tax implications of NIL and consider setting up an LLC to manage their earnings.
• Giving back to the community through NIL partnerships can be a meaningful way for athletes to make a difference.
• Authenticity and engagement on social media are important for athletes to build their personal brand.

NIL4U is part of the podcast network, SportsE Media
SportsE Media is a sports media platform and production company that connects entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, and fans. It focuses on sports, entrepreneurship, mental health, and media.
Learn more: https://sportsepreneur.com/

NIL4U is also a part of QuietLoud Studios
QuietLoud Studios is the podcast network where reflection and voice come together.
Learn more: https://quietloudstudios.com/

NIL4U is produced by the team at KazCM
KazCM is a B2B content production company that builds assets and drives revenue by writing and talking. If you are looking to create a podcast, show, or written works, talk with the team at KazCM.
Learn more: https://kazcm.com/

Connect
Listen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsE
Anthony Pitre: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-pitre-362141181/

SportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG

Related content to "NIL Deals in College and High School | Anthony Pitre":

NIL Pros and Cons | The College Game Is Changed Forever

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Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:28 The University of Florida: A Hotbed of NIL Activity

03:00 Collective Deals and Team Marketing Campaigns

07:00 The Return of the EA Sports College Football Video Game

12:02 Expanding NIL to High School Athletes in Florida

19:30 Navigating Compliance and Coach Approval in NIL Deals

21:53 Transparency and Communication in NIL

23:23 The Role of Compliance in NIL Education

25:30 Understanding Tax Implications and Setting Up an LLC

27:48 Giving Back to the Community through NIL

30:29 Authenticity and Engagement on Social Media

39:07 Choosing a Trusted Advisor for NIL

43:03 NIL Opportunities in High School Sports

In this episode, we feature Sam Green, an educator in the NIL space who helps athletes build their personal brands and navigate the world of social media to monetize their platforms. She emphasizes the importance of efficiency and time management for busy athletes. Sam advises athletes to start with a clear goal and work backward to create a social media strategy that aligns with their post-athletic career aspirations. She also encourages athletes to batch their content creation and find platforms that facilitate NIL deals. Sam believes that athletes not in the top 1% can still succeed in the NIL space with hard work and a long-term approach. She also highlights the importance of giving back to the community and using their platform for a greater purpose. The conversation explores the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) on college athletes and the opportunities it provides for their personal and professional development. It highlights how NIL allows athletes to gain real-life skills, such as pitching themselves, negotiating, and creating content. The discussion emphasizes the value of athletes' experiences and mental fortitude, making them desirable hires in the job market. The conversation also touches on the challenges of scalability and sustainability in the NIL space and the importance of building teams and networks. Lastly, she mentions the AthleteCon convention and the significance of platforms like LinkedIn and X for athletes.

Takeaways from NIL Content Creator Sam Green:

• Athletes should start by identifying their long-term goals beyond sports, then work backward to create content and build a brand aligned with them.
• Even athletes in non-revenue sports like track and field can make significant money through NIL if they work to create content and build a following.
• Batching content creation on off days and incorporating quick, easy-to-produce content helps athletes manage their time effectively.
• While football and men's basketball currently dominate NIL deals, female athletes are seeing increased opportunities and engagement.
• Through NIL, athletes are gaining valuable real-world business, marketing, and entrepreneurship experience that will benefit them after their athletic careers.
• Sam recommends athletes use platforms like LinkedIn and X to network with brands and decision-makers, not just Instagram and TikTok.
• Universities are starting to hire experts to facilitate brand deals and educate their athletes on NIL opportunities.
• Sam emphasizes the long-term value of building a brand that can transition beyond an athlete's playing career.
• She advises athletes to be wary of people who only want to profit from them and to seek out experts who have other revenue streams besides working with college athletes. 

NIL4U is part of the podcast network, SportsE Media
SportsE Media is a sports media platform and production company that connects entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, and fans. It focuses on sports, entrepreneurship, mental health, and media.
Learn more: https://sportsepreneur.com/

NIL4U is also a part of QuietLoud Studios
QuietLoud Studios is the podcast network where reflection and voice come together.
Learn more: https://quietloudstudios.com/

NIL4U is produced by the team at KazCM
KazCM is a B2B content production company that builds assets and drives revenue by writing and talking. If you are looking to create a podcast, show, or written works, talk with the team at KazCM.
Learn more: https://kazcm.com/

Connect
Listen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsE
Sam Green: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sambgreen/

SportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG

Related content to "Success in the NIL Space Is Not Limited to the Top 1% | Sam Green":

NIL Pros and Cons | The College Game Is Changed Forever

5 Misconceptions About NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) | A Positive View

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Sam Green and the NIL Space

02:22 Sam Green's Background and Transition to Educating Athletes in NIL

04:20 The Challenges of NIL for Athletes and the Importance of Self-Care

05:34 Efficiency and Time Management for Athletes in the NIL World

09:13 Navigating the NIL Landscape and the Importance of Having a Plan

10:44 Building Confidence and Empowering Athletes in the NIL Space

13:18 Batching Content Creation and Maximizing Efficiency

15:39 The Importance of Batching Time and Finding NIL Platforms

20:07 Success in the NIL Space: Not Limited to the Top 1%

24:32 Using the NIL Platform for Giving Back and Making a Difference

26:35 NIL and its Impact on Personal and Professional Development

28:21 The Value of Athletes' Experiences and Mental Fortitude

30:59 Scalability and Sustainability in the NIL Space

34:00 Building Teams and Networks for Success in NIL

41:34 The Significance of Platforms like LinkedIn and X

From Division III to NIL Success with Jack Betts

In this episode of NIL4U, we sit down with Jack Betts, a former Division III football player from Amherst College who has made waves in the world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Here are the key highlights:

1. Jack's NIL Journey: Learn how Jack went from a Division III athlete with limited exposure to securing over 40 NIL deals, breaking barriers for small-school athletes.
2. The Make Your Own Legacy Academy: Discover Jack's innovative NIL education solution, which helps underserved athletes realize their potential in the NIL space.
3. Notable Partnerships: Jack shares insights on his collaborations with brands like Insomnia Cookies, Invesco QQQ, and Sprayground, offering a glimpse into the diverse world of NIL deals.
4. Authenticity in Personal Branding: The importance of maintaining a genuine online presence and the responsibilities of an expanded platform.
5. NIL's Impact on Career Development: How Jack's experiences in NIL have shaped his professional trajectory and opened up new opportunities.
6. The Future of High School NIL: A discussion on the potential implications of NIL in Texas high school sports and the challenges it may bring.
7. Advice for Athletes: Jack offers valuable tips for fellow athletes navigating the NIL landscape, emphasizing proactivity and self-advocacy.

NIL4U is part of the podcast network, SportsE Media
SportsE Media is a sports media platform and production company that connects entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, and fans. It focuses on sports, entrepreneurship, mental health, and media.
Learn more: https://sportsepreneur.com/

NIL4U is also a part of QuietLoud Studios
QuietLoud Studios is the podcast network where reflection and voice come together.
Learn more: https://quietloudstudios.com/

NIL4U is produced by the team at KazCM
KazCM is a B2B content production company that builds assets and drives revenue by writing and talking. If you are looking to create a podcast, show, or written works, talk with the team at KazCM.
Learn more: https://kazcm.com/

Connect
Listen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsE

SportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG

In this episode of NIL4U, we are joined by David Gregory, an NFL agent and founder of Bullrush Sports. They discuss how NIL impacted the NFL Draft — specifically, how athletes made decisions about their college eligibility amid Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities. They also touch on the draft's success in Detroit. The conversation covers the financial considerations for athletes deciding whether to enter the draft, the role of agents in guiding athletes, and the potential for international players in the NFL. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities of NIL for college athletes and the need for education and protection in the space.

Connect:
Listen to the NIL4U Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SportsE

David Gregory: X
SportsE Media: YouTube | TikTok | X | IG

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