AI keeps coming up at work, but you still don't get it?

That's exactly why 1M+ professionals working at Google, Meta, and OpenAI read Superhuman AI daily.

Here's what you get:

Join 1M+ pros

Hey All-Stars and Brand-Builders,

Picture this: you're the highest-paid college athlete in America, carrying a $6.8 million NIL portfolio, and then you have your first real test under the bright lights. The world is watching. The pressure is crushing. And sometimes... you don't deliver the performance everyone expected.

Welcome back to The Helm, where we turn the biggest moments in NIL into your biggest learning opportunities.

This week, we're diving deep into Arch Manning's journey – not just the money, but the mindset, the missteps, and the masterclass in building a brand that can weather any storm.

Let's start with some perspective that'll make your head spin. Arch Manning isn't just another college quarterback with some decent endorsement deals. He's operating in a completely different stratosphere:

The Numbers Game:

Here's the kicker, most of these deals were signed before he even became a full-time starter. Think about that for a second. Companies were investing millions in potential rather than proven performance.

Coach's Corner: This isn't just about talent evaluation; it's about understanding that in the NIL era, your brand value can actually exceed your on-field production. Manning's family legacy, marketability, and strategic positioning created leverage that transcended traditional athletic metrics.

Saturday. Texas vs. Ohio State. Season opener. National stage.

Manning walked into that game as the Heisman Trophy betting favorite and projected top NFL draft pick.

By halftime, he was 5-of-10 for 26 yards, throwing passes at receivers' feet and missing open targets. The final score: Ohio State 14, Texas 7.

Heisman dreams dashed….

The Performance Breakdown:

But here's the million-dollar question: How does a poor performance affect a $6.8 million brand?

Here's where most people get NIL wrong. They think it's all about performance, but Manning's story teaches us something crucial about sustainable brand building.

1. Legacy Foundation - Manning's deals aren't built on what he's done – they're built on who he is. The Manning name carries generational weight. Peyton. Eli. Cooper. This isn't just about one quarterback; it's about being part of football royalty.

2. Multi-Year Contracts - His major partnerships were structured as long-term investments, not performance-based gambles. Warby Parker didn't sign him for one game – they signed him for three years, betting on his total marketability package.

3. Off-Field Excellence - Remember that $102,500 donation from his Panini deal to Ronald McDonald House Charities? That's strategic philanthropy that builds brand equity beyond any single game performance.

Navigator Truth: The athletes who build lasting NIL success understand that brands invest in stories, not just statistics. Manning's story: family legacy, leadership, charitable work, and future potential – creates a buffer that one bad game can't destroy.

Let's shift gears and talk about something that doesn't get enough attention: the role of parents in NIL success. This is where most families are making the most critical decisions.

Picture "Sarah"... a composite of several real parents we've encountered. Her daughter Emily is a talented college volleyball player with some NIL potential. When opportunities started coming, Sarah jumped into action. She built Emily's website, managed her social media, negotiated every deal, and essentially became her unpaid agent.

The result? Emily felt more stressed than excited about her opportunities. The breaking point came when Sarah agreed to a supplement endorsement deal that Emily wasn't comfortable with… without consulting her.

The Lesson: In some cases it works out, but in many it doesn’t, a parent’s role isn't to be the manager; it's to be more an advisor or mentor.

We also recognize a lot of student-athletes may not be interested in this aspect of playing sports or business and it's often the parent who is pushing for their child’s growth on and off the field. Here are some tips on how to handle it despite the relationship:

The Four-Step Parent Strategy

Step 1: Master the Art of Questions Instead of: "You should take that deal." Ask: "What are the pros and cons you see? How does this align with your values?"

Step 2: Become the Research Department Your job: Vet the companies, agents, and opportunities. Not your job: Make the final decision.

Step 3: Quarterback the Life Skills Teach them about taxes, budgeting, and contracts. Frame it as professional development, not boring adult stuff. This is an opportunity to really help your child understand practical situations that they will be dealing with for a lifetime.

Step 4: Be Their Emotional Safe Harbor When deals fall through or criticism hits social media, they need a place to process without judgment.

The Navigator Method: Think of yourself as building a dossier. You provide the intelligence; your athlete makes the command decisions (obviously, within reason). This builds trust and develops their decision-making skills for life beyond sports.

We have mentioned him before because it’s so egregious, but Gervon Dexter's cautionary tale as a former Florida Gator, signed an agreement with BLA that should serve as a warning to every athlete and family navigating NIL opportunities.

The Deal Breakdown:

Why This is Dangerous:

The Red Flags to Watch:

Navigator Protection Play: Always get a second set of eyes. Parents, coaches, trusted mentors – or reach out to professionals who understand both sports and contract law. The few hundred dollars you spend on legal review could save you millions down the road. NIL Navigator is on the verge of releasing a useful tool towards this exact issue, stay tuned for a way we can help make this less of an onus on families.

Student-athletes consistently outperform celebrities in engagement rates. Why? Because authenticity and relatability are the new reach metrics. Brands are catching on, and the smart ones want to catch you early.

Training Process Content Show your work, not just your highlights. People want to see the 6 AM workouts, the film study, the mental preparation.

Educational Breakdowns Share your journey through NIL decisions, academic challenges, athletic development. This positions you as both relatable and smart.

Behind-the-Scenes Access Your routine is someone else's inspiration. Day-in-the-life content performs incredibly well because it's inherently authentic.

Navigator Insight: "Content isn't king; consistency is." The athletes who show up regularly build audiences that brands pay premium rates to access. One viral moment is nice – sustainable engagement is everything.

Based on Manning's experience and the broader market trends we're seeing, here's what smart athletes need to understand about where NIL is going:

Market Maturation The wild west days of NIL are ending. Both athletes and programs are establishing more sophisticated frameworks. This means fewer inflated valuations and more strategic partnerships.

Performance vs. Potential Early NIL deals were often based on hype and potential. Now, brands are getting more sophisticated about measuring actual return on investment.

Long-Term Relationship Building The athletes winning in this space aren't chasing every quick dollar. They're building sustainable partnerships that grow with their careers.

Tax Implications Reality Remember, every NIL dollar has tax implications. If you're in Texas like Manning, you save ~$350,000-$750,000 compared to states like California or Georgia. Location strategy is becoming part of NIL strategy.

Arch Manning's journey, from $6.8 million valuations to underwhelming performances to brand resilience, teaches us that NIL success isn't about perfection. It's about preparation, authenticity, and understanding that your brand is bigger than any single moment.

Whether you're sitting on million-dollar deals or just starting to build your following, the principles remain the same:

The NIL era has democratized opportunity like never before. But with that opportunity comes responsibility – to yourself, your future, and the athletes coming up behind you.

At NIL Navigator, we don't just explain the rules; we help you master the game. When others are still figuring out the playbook, you'll be running your own plays.

Stay locked in. Stay learning. Stay authentic.

You're not just an athlete... you're a brand in motion.

Game on,
The NIL Navigator Team

Want to master these strategies? Reach out to [email protected] for personalized guidance on building your NIL evolution strategy.

🧭 Follow the journey: https://nilnavigator.com/

💬 Pay it forward: Share this newsletter with an athlete, coach, or parent who wants to level up their NIL game

The Helm Newsletter is published weekly for athletes, parents, and coaches navigating the modern student-athlete sports landscape. Have a topic suggestion or question? Reach out to us at [email protected]

Disclaimer: NIL Navigator provides general information and education, not legal advice. For legal matters, please consult a qualified attorney.

© 2025 The Helm Sports Media. All rights reserved.