SFB Collegiate Advisory (NIL)

Starting now, collegiate student-athletes can further maximize their potential through various Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) initiatives that are being passed into law throughout the country. With this great opportunity also comes a great responsibility for these athletes – to effectively manage business transactions and equally important – maintain their eligibility to compete in their respective sport. College athletic departments across the nation understand their responsibility to remain compliant with governing bodies and related rules. And in many cases, colleges have created new jobs, and in some cases, have hired external firms to help both the schools and the student-athletes navigate this evolving landscape.

 

And while the schools and external firms are providing both education and guidance, they are not involved in guiding the student-athletes with the details of maximizing those opportunities. Simply put, athletic departments are appropriately focused on remaining compliant and preserving eligibility for their student-athletes.

 

However, student-athletes and potential corporate brands need trusted, experienced advisors to help both of them develop effective programs that are aligned with the objectives of the student-athlete and the corporate brand. A key to success starts with setting goals, creating effective promotions and managing those programs. That’s a lot to ask of student-athletes who are focused on both their sport and their academics. And that’s a lot to ask of corporate brands to maximize their potential endorsement while also not infringing on strict compliance and eligibility guidelines.

That's where SFB Collegiate Advisory can help.

We help student-athletes find unique, compelling opportunities to maximize their potential, while guiding that athlete through the evolving landscape to maintain their eligibility and focus on being the best they can be – on the field of play and in the classroom. We also help corporate brands identify potential student-athletes that align closely with their brand values, while also creating and managing promotional programs that are exciting, compelling and most importantly – within the guidelines of compliance and maintaining eligibility for the student-athletes.
SFB IDEAS - Innovative Marketing Solutions

Making SMARTER Decisions

Student-athletes have two priorities for performance – in the classroom and on the field of play. And while they may have new opportunities to pursue endorsement deals, they likely need guidance about pursuing these opportunities the right way. In other words – they need to make SMARTER decisions about how good partnerships are structured in a way that maximizes the potential while also ensuring they maintain their eligibility to play their sport.

 

The SFB Advisory approach focuses on guiding student-athletes to make SMARTER decisions, while also working closely with commercial brands as to the best … and compliant … approach to creating endorsement programs that work for their business and for the student-athletes.

International Student-Athletes: Help away from Home

U.S. collegiate athletics have a growing number of international student-athletes participating in many sports, and that is a fantastic trend that spotlights the quality of competition and opportunities afforded in the country. And now, all student-athletes have new endorsement opportunities with various laws being passed throughout the country.

 

However, many international student-athletes – now in the U.S. – did not previously compete in their home countries with independent governing bodies that monitored off-the-field activities and other endorsement opportunities. Yet when competing in the U.S. for a collegiate program, there are many different rules that govern programs and student-athletes. And failure to comply with these rules can result in loss of eligibility.

 

That’s where we can help. Our first-hand experience with international student-athletes on U.S. collegiate rosters can help educate and guide both the players and their families as to making SMARTER decisions about new opportunities that do not conflict with eligibility requirements. We give both players and parents help away from home when they need it the most.

SFB IDEAS - Innovative Marketing Solutions
SFB IDEAS - Innovative Marketing Solutions

International Student-Athletes: Help away from Home

U.S. collegiate athletics have a growing number of international student-athletes participating in many sports, and that is a fantastic trend that spotlights the quality of competition and opportunities afforded in the country. And now, all student-athletes have new endorsement opportunities with various laws being passed throughout the country.

 

However, many international student-athletes – now in the U.S. – did not previously compete in their home countries with independent governing bodies that monitored off-the-field activities and other endorsement opportunities. Yet when competing in the U.S. for a collegiate program, there are many different rules that govern programs and student-athletes. And failure to comply with these rules can result in loss of eligibility.

 

That’s where we can help. Our first-hand experience with international student-athletes on U.S. collegiate rosters can help educate and guide both the players and their families as to making SMARTER decisions about new opportunities that do not conflict with eligibility requirements. We give both players and parents help away from home when they need it the most.

SFB IDEAS - Innovative Marketing Solutions

Helping Companies Help Student-Athletes

Hiring paid endorsers has been a regular part of many promotional activities for decades. And now, with new laws throughout the country, companies can now expand their consideration for endorsements to student-athletes, which has the potential to be lucrative for corporate brands and the individuals. However, as above, there are distinct guidelines that must be followed to ensure the student-athlete remains compliant and retains their eligibility. And from a marketing perspective, including amateur student-athletes as part of promotional campaigns will present different and perhaps unique factors that must be considered for optimal impact.

 

With our many years of experience consulting with numerous brands across many industries, SFB can help your company make SMARTER decisions to effectively participate in these new opportunities, while ensuring that the related student-athletes remain compliant.

Experienced Leaders to help you make Smarter Decisions

The SFB Advisory teams brings years of relevant experience in sports and marketing, and will guide both student-athletes and their parents, as well as corporate brands, into make SMARTER decisions about the various endorsement opportunities that may now be available to them.

Mike Collins

Mike is a veteran sales and marketing leader and also a former professional tennis player and member of the British National team. After he completed his competitive tennis career, Mike embarked upon a career in sports with Prince Tennis and Dunlop in both the UK and US, where he held various sales, marketing, and sponsorship roles. He has a unique perspective to our work both as a former student-athlete and now as a parent, as his son plays football at the University of Georgia and his daughter plays volleyball at Georgia Southern University.

Steve Denker

With a successful career that includes multiple well-known global brands, Steve delivers a powerful vision for creating and growing brands through innovative digital and social media marketing platforms. Most recently, he led marketing and digital strategies for WarnerMedia, where he managed many entertainment partnerships, including HBO Max, while also providing guidance on digital and social media campaigns designed to grow overall consumer followings of the various WarnerMedia brands. Early in his career, Steve managed numerous sports and entertainment partnerships at The Coca Cola Company, including the NHL, Blockbuster Video, Disney and Universal Studios. His unique skills and experience are essential to both student-athletes and brands looking to maximize new endorsement opportunities.

Russell Harrell

For over 30 years, Russell has been a successful leader helping companies in many industries create compelling strategies and related tactics to maximize their marketing investments. Equally important, Russell has served as a volunteer coach and mentor in youth sports for over 15 years, primarily in youth football. He has a great passion for teaching the fundamentals of the game, as well as helping teach valuable life lessons that extend beyond the field of play. Many players from his prior teams have continued playing in high school and college, and Russell enjoys staying connected with former players to hear of their success and also be their mentor for other opportunities.
We help student-athletes and corporate brands make SMARTER decisions that drive FASTER growth for BETTER results. Contact us today to learn more about our work and how we can help you … click here.