NIL Isn’t Just for the Most Elite: How Every Athlete Can Get Involved

When people hear “NIL” (Name, Image, and Likeness), they often picture Division 1 star basketball or football players signing massive endorsement deals. Most people think you need a large social media following to have success with NIL. But here’s the truth: you don’t need a Power Five offer or 500k+ followers to build a meaningful personal brand and benefit from NIL.

Whether you’re a state champ or a leader on your team and in your community, every athlete has a story and a brand worth building. NIL isn’t just about cash. It’s about creating a platform that reflects who you are and sets you up for success well beyond the playing field.

Discovering Your Authentic Self

Before you think about deals or followers, you need to know who you are and what you stand for. This is the start of building your personal brand, the greatest asset you’ll carry through life.

Your authentic self is built around:

• Values: The principles that guide you (teamwork, perseverance, creativity, etc.). These shape how you carry yourself and what you align with.

• Personality: Are you calm and focused, or energetic and vocal? Your personality helps people relate to you. Let it come through in everything you do.

• Interests: What passions define you beyond your sport? Whether it’s music, fashion, or volunteering, these make you multidimensional and memorable.

Discovering your authentic self is the first step toward building an authentic personal brand. And an authentic brand is what creates real opportunities and relationships with fans, companies, and your community.

Questions Athletes Should Ask to Discover Their Brand

You don’t need to have your whole life figured out to start building your brand. You just need to start asking the right questions – and being honest with yourself in your answers. These not only guide your NIL strategy, but they shape how others connect with you.

Here are a few simple prompts to help you discover and develop your brand:

• What are your interests and hobbies outside of sports?

  These add depth to your brand and give others new ways to connect with you.

  → Post about your favorite recipes, playlists, workouts, concerts, or books. Show the real you.

• What values are most important to you?

  Think about the moments in your life that reflect those values.

  → Whether it’s leadership, family, faith, or discipline, let your story reflect what you stand for.

• What challenges have shaped you into who you are today?

  Your setbacks are part of your story – they humanize you. Don’t be afraid to talk about them.

  → Talk about bouncing back from an injury, struggling with confidence, or navigating pressure. Vulnerability builds trust.

• What makes you different?

  Your voice, your perspective, and your leadership style all separate you from everyone else.

  → Use behind-the-scenes content or strong captions to highlight what sets you apart.

• What future do you want both in and beyond sports?

  NIL isn’t just about the now. It’s also a stepping stone to achieving success throughout life.

  → Share your goals and the steps you're taking. It shows ambition, discipline, and purpose.

Your answers to these questions shape the story you tell and the audience you build. The clearer you are on who you are and where you want to go, the more people (and brands) will naturally want to follow and support your journey.

you don’t need a Power Five offer or 500k+ followers to build a meaningful personal brand and benefit from NIL.

Your Brand is Your Greatest Asset

Athletic ability might get you on the field, but your brand is what opens doors off it.

A strong personal brand is more than highlights and stats. It’s how people remember you, talk about you, and connect with you. It’s how brands decide whether they want to work with you, and how communities rally behind you. Most importantly it lasts long after your playing career ends.

When you build your brand with authenticity and intention, you create opportunities for:

• Leadership roles in your school or community

• College recruiting buzz based on more than just performance

• NIL deals that reflect your passions and values

• Career pathways in business, media, fashion, fitness, or whatever you're drawn to

• Mentorship and impact, as younger athletes begin to look up to you

Think of your brand like your digital resume – just more powerful. It's a living, breathing reflection of your identity, your journey, and your vision for your future. And only you are in full control of how it grows.

You Don’t Need to Go Viral to Build a Brand

Real influence isn’t built overnight or through a viral moment. It’s built through consistency.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Consistency: Posting 2–3 times a week with purpose whether it’s training clips, motivational captions, or community service highlights.

• Intentionality: Sharing content that reflects your values, interests, and goals instead of just copying trends.

• Engagement: Responding to DMs and comments, supporting teammates, or shouting out local causes. People follow people who care.

Even a small, loyal audience (100, 500, 1,000 followers) can be more powerful than a large one that doesn’t engage. And for brands, authenticity matters more than clout. They’re looking for athletes who reflect their values and can genuinely influence their communities.

Show who you are, not just what you do. Because in the end, people don’t follow highlight reels they follow stories.

Go Beyond Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool – but it’s just one piece of your brand. While social media helps you reach people, your real brand lives in how you show up every day.

Here’s how you can build your brand beyond social media:

• Professional Networking

  Attend camps, showcases, or local events. Introduce yourself to coaches, mentors, and business leaders. Every handshake and conversation builds your reputation.

• In-Person Interactions

  Your coaches, teachers, and teammates can become your biggest advocates. The way you carry yourself in class, practice, or the community matters more than any post.

• Traditional Media

  Share your story through blogs, interviews, or podcasts. These formats allow people to hear your voice and see the depth behind the athlete.

• Community Engagement

  Volunteer. Mentor younger athletes. Get involved in causes that matter to you. These actions speak volumes, and they show that you’re committed to being more than just a jock.

Building your brand is about showing people who you are when no one’s watching, just as much as it is about what you post.

Athletic ability might get you on the field, but your brand is what opens doors off it.

You don’t need to be a D1 athlete or have thousands of followers to benefit from NIL. What matters most is knowing who you are, staying true to your values, telling your story, and showing up with purpose both online and in real life.

Your brand is your edge. Start building it now, and you’ll open doors that extend far beyond sports.