Hey All-Stars and Culture Builders,

Institutional investors back startups to unlock outsized returns. Regular investors have to wait. But not anymore. Thanks to regulatory updates, some companies are doing things differently.

Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 regular people invested an average of $2,730. Today? They got a 400X buyout offer from the company, as Revolut’s valuation increased 89,900% in the same timeframe.

No wonder 10K+ everyday people are taking the chance on Pacaso.

Founded by a former Zillow exec, Pacaso’s co-ownership tech reshapes the $1.3T vacation home market. They’ve earned $110M+ in gross profit to date, including 41% YoY growth in 2024 alone. They even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

The same institutional investors behind Uber, Venmo, and eBay backed Pacaso. And you can join them. But not for long. Pacaso’s investment opportunity ends September 18.

Invest While You Still Can

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The game is evolving faster than ever, and while some are getting caught up in the headlines, the smartest athletes and coaches are asking the real questions: Who's actually cutting the checks? How do we keep teams united when money starts flowing unevenly? And what happens when you're not the starter, but still want to lead?

Welcome back to The Helm, where we navigate the complexities that matter most in today's college athletics landscape.

Let's cut through the noise and talk about where NIL money actually comes from, because understanding your revenue streams is the first step to maximizing them.

Think of traditional NIL like the freelance economy, but for athletes. You've got multiple income streams, each with its own playbook:

Corporate Brands: The Big League Partners These are the household names looking to align with your personal brand. From energy drinks to athletic wear, companies pay athletes for endorsements, social media campaigns, and promotional appearances. The key here? They're not just buying your athletic performance: they're investing in your personality, your story, and your connection with fans.

Navigator Insight: The best brand partnerships feel authentic because they align with who you already are. If you're genuinely passionate about fitness, that supplement company deal makes sense. If you're known for your community work, partnering with a local nonprofit creates genuine value for everyone involved.

NIL Collectives: The Modern Booster Club Picture this: a group of passionate alumni and donors who pool their resources specifically to support athletes at their favorite school. These collectives have become the new powerbrokers in college sports, offering everything from appearance fees to charity work opportunities. 

Here's what makes collectives unique: they're often looking for long-term relationships, not just one-off deals. They want to invest in athletes who represent their school's values and can help build lasting connections with the community. These relationships (likely not the money) will last beyond the athlete’s academic tenure.

Merchandise and Memorabilia: Your Personal Brand Store This is where you become the entrepreneur. Selling your own branded gear, signed items, or exclusive content puts you in the driver's seat. The margins might be smaller per item, but you control the entire experience, and the loyal fans who buy your stuff are often your most engaged supporters.

Entrepreneurial Services: The Hustle Economy From training clinics to content creation, this category is all about leveraging your expertise. Maybe you're offering position-specific coaching, creating workout programs, or building a YouTube channel around your sport. The beauty here is that these ventures can outlast your playing career.

Here's where things get really interesting. Thanks to a recent federal settlement, NCAA schools can now pay athletes directly and we're talking about potentially life-changing money.

The New Reality: Schools as Employers Think of this like the difference between being a contractor and getting a full-time job with benefits. Schools will soon have designated funds to compensate athletes directly, creating a more stable income stream that doesn't depend on your social media following or marketability.

Back Pay: Settling Old Scores This summer’s settlement also includes provisions for athletes who competed before NIL rules existed. If you were grinding on the field while generating revenue for your school, but couldn't profit from your own name and likeness, there might be compensation coming your way.

Traditional NIL = Entrepreneurial Freedom You control the partnerships, build your own brand, and keep the relationships you create. It's like running your own business while playing your sport. 

School-Based Payments = Steady Income More predictable, less dependent on your personal marketing skills, but potentially less upside if you become a major star.

Navigator Truth: The smartest athletes won't choose one or the other, they'll build strategies that leverage both revenue streams to create financial security and long-term opportunities.

Money changes everything including team dynamics. When some teammates are cashing NIL checks while others aren't, jealousy and resentment can poison the culture you've worked years to build.

The Subtle Shifts

The Not-So-Subtle Red Flags

Address It Head-On, Early and Often The worst thing you can do is pretend the elephant isn't in the room. Have team meetings specifically about NIL expectations, boundaries, and team-first mentalities. Set clear expectations about how NIL activities should and shouldn't impact team culture.

Create NIL Equity Through Education Not everyone will land the same deals, but everyone can learn how to build their personal brand effectively. Bring in experts to teach the entire team about social media management, personal branding, and financial literacy. When players feel empowered with knowledge, they're less likely to feel left behind.

Establish Non-Negotiable Team Standards Some things transcend individual financial success: practice intensity, academic commitments, community representation, and support for teammates. Make it clear that NIL success never justifies compromising these foundational elements.

Facilitate Difficult Conversations Don't wait for problems to explode. Create regular opportunities for players to discuss challenges, frustrations, and successes in a structured environment. Sometimes the simple act of acknowledging differences can prevent them from becoming divisions.

Lead by Example, Regardless of Your NIL Status Whether you're the highest earner or still building your brand, your attitude sets the tone. Celebrate teammates' successes genuinely, support those who are struggling, and never let financial differences affect your effort or commitment.

Share Knowledge, Not Just Success If you've had NIL success, help your teammates learn from your experience. Share contacts, strategies, and lessons learned. Rising tides lift all boats, and the stronger your entire team's brand, the more valuable everyone becomes.

Keep Perspective on What Really Matters NIL money is temporary, it ends when your eligibility does. But the relationships you build, the reputation you create, and the character you develop last forever. Don't sacrifice long-term relationships for short-term financial gain.

Navigator Warning: Teams that let NIL divide them often see performance suffer across the board. But teams that handle NIL success as a collective opportunity often find it strengthens their bonds and their competitive edge.

Here's some real talk: not everyone gets to be the starter, and that's actually okay. In fact, learning to lead and grow from the bench might be the most valuable skill you develop in college, one that translates directly to professional success in any field.

You See the Game Differently Bench players often develop the best tactical understanding of their sport. You're watching film from a coaching perspective, analyzing opponent tendencies, and understanding strategic decisions in real-time. These analytical skills are gold in business, coaching, and leadership roles.

You Master the Art of Preparation When your opportunity comes … and it always does, you need to be ready immediately. This constant state of readiness builds discipline, mental toughness, and the ability to perform under pressure that coaches and employers value tremendously.

You Become the Culture Keeper Bench players often serve as the emotional backbone of teams. You're the one keeping energy high during blowouts, supporting struggling starters, and maintaining team chemistry. These leadership skills are exactly what companies look for in management candidates.

Be the Energy Multiplier Every team needs someone who can elevate the room's energy level. Practice being genuinely enthusiastic about teammates' success, vocal during practice, and positive in challenging moments. Energy is contagious, and teams remember who brought it when things got tough.

Become the Preparation Expert Know the scouting reports better than anyone. Understand opponent tendencies, practice situations, and strategic adjustments. When coaches need information quickly, be the player they turn to. This positions you as indispensable even when you're not starting.

Master the Mentoring Role Incoming freshmen and transfers often connect more easily with bench players than with established stars. Become the person who helps new players adjust, understand team culture, and develop their skills. This builds loyalty and demonstrates leadership potential.

The Relatability Factor Brands aren't just looking for superstars, they want authentic connections with real people. Your journey as a dedicated team player who works hard despite limited playing time can resonate powerfully with audiences who see themselves in your story.

Niche Expertise Development Use your time to develop specialized skills that can translate to NIL opportunities: video analysis, social media management for the team, community outreach coordination, or youth coaching. These skills can become revenue streams both during and after your playing career. Even helping your teammate with their NIL is a tremendously valuable skill.

Team Brand Building Some of the most successful NIL activities involve entire position groups or team units. Your role in building and maintaining team chemistry makes you valuable for group sponsorships, team content creation, and community partnerships.

Professional Resilience Learning to stay motivated and contribute meaningfully when you're not the center of attention builds exactly the kind of resilience that helps people succeed in competitive professional environments.

Advanced Emotional Intelligence Managing your own disappointment while supporting teammates who got opportunities you wanted develops sophisticated emotional management skills that serve you in every relationship and leadership situation you'll encounter.

Strategic Thinking Development Spending time analyzing the game from multiple perspectives: player, coach, and fan, it develops the kind of multi-faceted thinking that helps people excel in complex business situations.

Navigator Truth: Some of the most successful coaches, business leaders, and entrepreneurs we know were bench players who learned to maximize their impact regardless of their role. Your current position doesn't define your future potential, BUT your response to it does.

The NIL era has created unprecedented opportunities, but it's also created new challenges that require wisdom, maturity, and long-term thinking to navigate successfully.

Whether you're chasing the biggest NIL deals, building team culture, or maximizing your impact from any position, remember this: your athletic career is temporary, but the skills, relationships, and character you develop are permanent investments in your future.

The athletes and teams that thrive in this new landscape aren't just the most talented, they're the ones who understand that success is about building something bigger than individual achievement. They're the ones who realize that how you handle money, pressure, and adversity defines you more than any stat sheet ever will.

Stay strategic. Stay united. Stay ready for whatever opportunity comes next.

Game on, The NIL Navigator Team

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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.

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