NIL Financial Literacy

NIL Financial Literacy 💰💼 Athlete Today. Mogul Tomorrow - Empowering Athletes with Financial Literacy.

We break down budgeting, taxes, saving, investing, and contract literacy—so athletes can build wealth, not just hype.

09/01/2026

As the largest provider of athlete financial literacy in the country, we’ve taught thousands of pro and college athletes — and here’s what we’ve learned:

A lot of athletes are getting opportunities.

❌ Not enough of them are getting prepared.

⬇️ Here are the 3 biggest NIL mistakes we see:

1️⃣ Not realizing NIL money is taxable.

❌ That check is not all yours.
✅ Set aside 40% before you touch a dollar of it.

2️⃣ No emergency fund.

❌ One injury or one lost deal and there’s nothing to fall back on.
✅ 3-6 months of expenses, untouched.

3️⃣ No plan for what comes after.

❌ Spending like the money will always show up.
✅ Know your goals — freedom, businesses, real estate — and build toward them on purpose.

Know the Rules. Win the Game. 🏈💼

Follow for more real talk on protecting your bag.

We teach athletes how to protect, grow, and keep their money — so they can build wealth that outlasts the game.

This is real. This is what happens when the check comes before the education does. Swipe — we’re fixing this today. ...
08/31/2026

This is real. This is what happens when the check comes before the education does. Swipe — we’re fixing this today.



The IRS doesn’t care that you’re 19. Set the automatic transfer up the day the deal hits, before you see the full number.

Unexpected expenses happen. Deals fall through. Injuries happen. This fund means a lost paycheck doesn’t turn into a financial crisis.

Why a SEP? As a business owner — which you are, once you’re earning NIL income — you have access to higher contribution limits than a regular IRA, so more of your money grows tax-deferred. Make it self-directed and you control what it’s invested in — real estate, private deals, more — not just stocks a bank picks for you.

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. You never step on the court or field and hear your coach say “just win” — there’s a plan and a playbook for every scenario. Make sure you have one for your money too.

Every dollar you save today should point somewhere. Financial freedom, owning businesses, real estate, a legacy — decide what you’re building toward, so every move actually moves you closer.

This is how you access your own money on your own terms, without market risk wiping it out. When you graduate, this becomes the capital you use to buy cash-flowing assets — real estate, businesses, whatever builds real wealth.

This is your short-term, easy-to-access liquidity — and your chance to take advantage of the market. In your 20s, you have enough time to weather any losses, so this is where you can afford to let it ride for real upside.

One injury shouldn’t end your financial life along with your season — this policy makes sure it doesn’t. Also worth considering: endorsement insurance, in case a brand you’re tied to (think FTX) implodes or you get caught in a scandal that costs you deals.

This is the fun part — but only after the first 7 steps are funded. Pay yourself first, then live on what’s left. Splurge a little and have some fun!

A plan you don’t track is just a guess. Five minutes a week keeps lifestyle creep from eating everything above.

DM “PLAYBOOK” and we’ll send you the full

$200,000. One Paycheck. One Night. Gone.A story going around college athletics right now: a player gets his first NIL ch...
08/25/2026

$200,000. One Paycheck. One Night. Gone.

A story going around college athletics right now: a player gets his first NIL check. The next day, a reported $200,000 of it is spent at a strip club. Nothing to show for it. Not even a car. The team had to buy him a flight back to school.

We’re not sharing this to embarrass anyone. We’re sharing it because it could happen to any athlete who’s never been taught how to handle real money.

Here’s what nobody tells you when that first check hits:

💵 This might be the most money you’ve ever seen in your account. It might also be more than you’ll see again for a while — there’s no guarantee of a “next one.”

🧠 Your brain isn’t finished growing yet. The part responsible for impulse control and thinking about the future — the prefrontal cortex — doesn’t fully develop until your mid-20s. That’s not an excuse. It’s exactly why you need a plan before the money shows up, not after.

👥 New money brings new “friends.” Not everyone showing up around you has your best interest at heart.

📉 One bad night can follow you. Blown paychecks, viral stories, and reputational hits don’t just disappear — they can cost future deals, scholarships, and trust.

Parents: this is the conversation to have before the first check arrives, not after. Ask your athlete what their plan is. Help them open the right accounts. Talk about saving, not just spending.

Athletes: you worked too hard to get here to let one night undo it. A financial plan isn’t boring — it’s how you make sure this money changes your life instead of becoming a story people tell as a warning.

📩 Don’t let your first check be a cautionary tale. DM us “PLAYBOOK” and we’ll walk you through what a real financial game plan looks like for you or your athlete.

Know the rules. Win the game. 🏆

Major thank you to SeaWorld and the Hubbs Institute for hosting Sac State Men’s BB Mikey Williams and Northern Illinois ...
08/08/2026

Major thank you to SeaWorld and the Hubbs Institute for hosting Sac State Men’s BB Mikey Williams and Northern Illinois JJ Taylor today for an exclusive behind‑the‑scenes marine biology experience.

Mikey has always said that after the NBA, he wants to be a marine biologist. So our NIL Financial Literacy program arranged a private tour where they could see how rescued animals are rehabilitated, how research is conducted, and what real marine science looks like day‑to‑day.

For Sac State Men’s Basketball, NIL isn’t just about deals — it’s about preparing athletes for life after the game. When a student‑athlete shares their long‑term goals, we build experiences that make those goals feel real and reachable.

Huge thank you to SeaWorld SeaWorld San Diego and the Hubbs Institute Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute for opening their doors and showing Mikey the future he’s working toward. This is NIL with purpose — aligning education, career pathways, and community partners who believe in our athletes’ next chapters. 🌊🐬

Mikey Williams turned his test into his testimony.Most athletes shy away from the political process — not because they d...
07/29/2026

Mikey Williams turned his test into his testimony.

Most athletes shy away from the political process — not because they don’t care, but because they’re rarely invited into these rooms or shown that their voice belongs there. Yesterday, Mikey walked straight into that space and took it head on.

At the California State Capitol, he spoke openly about the financial challenges he faced navigating NIL and urged lawmakers to strengthen financial literacy requirements and protections for student‑athletes. That level of honesty, courage, and clarity is rare. Using his story to be a part of the solution is true leadership.

By stepping forward, Mikey isn’t just shaping policy. He’s giving a new generation of athletes permission to engage, to speak up, and to understand that their voice matters in every arena — including the legislative one.

A sincere thank‑you to Assemblymember Assemblymember Chris Ward for conducting this hearing and giving real attention to an issue that impacts student-athletes across the state. Creating space for these conversations is how progress begins.

He turned his test into his testimony.
And it became a moment of empowerment for everyone watching.

07/24/2026

3 things we taught these athletes yesterday — then we turned it into a game.

How to protect your money: emergency funds, credit.
How to grow it: investing, stocks.
How to plan for what’s next: a real gameplan for the milestones ahead.

Because financial literacy doesn’t stick when it feels like a lecture. It sticks when you have to make the call yourself, out loud, in front of your teammates.

So instead of just walking through it, we played it out. Real scenarios. Real decisions. Watching them debate what they’d actually do with a check, a bad deal, or their first credit card — that’s when you see who’s really learned it. Then they presented what they learned in our Media Day round.

This is the gap most athletes fall into: nobody makes it practical until the money’s already gone.

Built by athletes. For athletes.
We teach athletes how to protect, grow, and keep their money — so they can build wealth that outlasts the game.

Save this if you’re an athlete, a parent, or a coach building the team around one. Send it to someone who’s about to sign something bigger than they’ve ever seen before.

DM “PLAYBOOK” and I’ll send you the 7 Money Milestones checklist.

📍 San Diego State University
NIL Financial Literacy | Know the Rules. Win the Game.

NILDeals AthleteProtection MoneyMoves

When money hits, 38% spend it immediately.Only 8% think about taxes first.And 64% have no plan for quarterly estimated t...
07/22/2026

When money hits, 38% spend it immediately.
Only 8% think about taxes first.
And 64% have no plan for quarterly estimated taxes.

That’s not a budgeting issue — that’s a behavior issue.

It’s the same “windfall mindset” researchers see in lottery winners and inheritance cases:
Spend first.
Figure it out later.
Hope it works out.

But in NIL, poor first instincts compound fast:

• spending before tax season
• no cash reserved for obligations
• scrambling when payments hit
• relying on short‑term fixes
• building habits that collapse under pressure

Athletes don’t need more hype around money — they need a system for it.

Plan first.
Taxes always.
Spend last.

This is how you build NIL money that lasts.

Built by athletes. For athletes.
We teach athletes how to protect, grow, and keep their money — so they can build wealth that outlasts the game.

Save this for later.
Share this with a teammate who needs a reset.
DM “PLAYBOOK” for your money game-plan.





The sports world is unpredictable — and the ESPN layoffs this week prove it again.Longtime analysts, NFL Network persona...
07/21/2026

The sports world is unpredictable — and the ESPN layoffs this week prove it again.

Longtime analysts, NFL Network personalities, and more than 30 behind‑the‑scenes staff were let go as Disney continues cost‑cutting and restructures ESPN after absorbing NFL Network. These layoffs weren’t about talent — they were about volatility.

Cam Newton. Ryan Clark. Karl Ravech. David Lloyd.
Even 30+ producers, editors, and support staff.

Some of the most recognizable faces in sports media were cut because the business shifted — not because their value disappeared.

Disney is restructuring. ESPN absorbed NFL Network. Roles overlapped. Budgets tightened.
Cord‑cutting, streaming competition, and the $3B NFL Network acquisition forced ESPN to consolidate.
And overnight, careers changed.

This is the part athletes need to understand:

1. No job in sports is guaranteed — not even media.
If ESPN can cut veterans with decades of experience, your earning window as an athlete is never promised.

2. Volatility is normal — not a surprise.
Sports change fast. Media changes fast. NIL is changing fast.
Your money strategy has to be built for change, not comfort.

3. You are responsible for your financial stability.
Agents, advisors, and “money guys” can help — but your taxes, your investments, and your long‑term plan are YOUR liability.

4. Your NIL checks are temporary — your literacy is permanent.
The athletes who thrive long‑term are the ones who build systems, not vibes.

5. The biggest opportunities go to athletes who are already prepared.
Just like ESPN is restructuring, the sports world around you will shift too.
Preparation is protection.

6. Use your platform while you have it.
College. Pros. Media.
Your platform is the only thing you truly own.
Build it right — and it will outlast the game.
A strong platform creates the next opportunity after the current one ends.
Know the rules. Win the game.

Built by athletes. For athletes.
We teach athletes how to protect, grow, and keep their money — so they can build wealth that outlasts the game.

Save.
Share this with a teammate.
DM me “ESPN” for the Athlete Financial Checklist

07/20/2026

Built by athletes. For athletes.
Your Game Plan is bigger than the season — it’s the blueprint to build your athlete empire.

NIL and revenue sharing are the first time athletes have ownership and earning power from day one. But earning is only the beginning — keeping, growing, and protecting your money is how you build something that outlasts the game.

THE 6 BIG NIL MONEY MYTHS (Athlete Edition)

❌ Myth 1 — “NIL is just free money.”
✅ NIL income is taxable, trackable, and part of your financial record from day one.

❌ Myth 2 — “I’ll figure out taxes later.”
✅ Taxes come first — 40% goes into a separate account before you spend a dime.

❌ Myth 3 — “I don’t make enough to need a plan.”
✅ Your first check is exactly when your money habits start.

❌ Myth 4 — “My agent handles everything.”
✅ Agents handle deals — you still need a budget, protection plan, and money strategy.

❌ Myth 5 — “I’ll build a plan once the big deals come.”
✅ Big deals go to athletes who already have a plan.

❌ Myth 6 — “I’ve got a guy who handles my money.”
✅ The taxes you owe and the investments you make are ultimately your responsibility — and your potential liability. A money guy can help, but you still need literacy, oversight, and a real Game Plan.

We teach athletes how to protect, grow, and keep their money — so they can build wealth that outlasts the game.

Save this for your next payday.
Share this with a teammate who needs a Game Plan.
DM me “myth” for the NIL Myth‑Busting Checklist.

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