Today’s Talent. Tomorrow’s Success.
About Us
My name is Brian DiNapoli, from Atlanta, and a lifelong sports fan, especially high school and college sports. This website is dedicated to assist high school and college athletes and their families as a resource in navigating the complexities of NIL while having good physical, and mental health while avoiding abusing alcohol/drugs. I also provide links to educational, and financial resources.
What is Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)
Former UCLA basketball player, Ed O’Bannnon, paved the way for student athletes for the right to profit of their Name, Image, and Likeness after he sued the NCAA in 2009 over their licensing department using his name, image, and likeness in a NCAA basketball video game. This eventually led to the following ruling. In July 2021, when the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) released an official College Athletes Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Policy after growing calls for fairness and mounting pressure from lawmakers across the country allowing college athletes across the country to get paid for their Names, Image, and Likenesses (NIL) without risking their right to play at their school. In the past, earning money through anything - including signing autographs - risked ruining a student's eligibility.
This is a game changer for student athletes while they bring in billions of dollars for the NCAA. College athletes from all walks of life welcomed this news with open arms not just for the opportunity to earn a slice of the pie, but because college is so expensive. Only a small percentage of athletes end up getting a full-ride scholarship. The rest are limited in the time they can work due to their time commitment to sports. Now, those problems are at least partially solved with athletes given the opportunity to earn from their efforts.
As exciting and momentous as the College Athletes Name Image Likeness (NIL) policy change is, it is not all blue skies for college athletes – there are complexities since each state can regulate NIL regulations and the process of negotiating deals with brands, companies, and organizations is complicated. Many student athletes are now left to make deals on their own.
NIL is a fantastic way for students to take their true value into their own hands and to reap the rewards of their hard work. College athletes can now become entrepreneurs. At the same point, however, there's a lot of work necessary to seek out the deals, vet their legitimacy, negotiate specific terms, and maintain those professional relationships - all while students, still must continue performing at elite levels on top of going to college full-time.
Player Safety and Mental Health
Mental health awareness has been increasing over the past few years as more and more people come out to share their experiences struggling with mental health challenges. College athletes are in uniquely stressful, anxious-ridden positions which presents obstacles that other people don’t have to face. From the pressure to continue performing at professional levels athletically to the burden of managing NIL deals and the need to continue keeping up their academic abilities, there’s a lot of pressure. This can lead to several mental health challenges. Furthermore, college athletes must feel safe playing their sport. It is critical that colleges and universities help protect their student athletes by providing resources and equipment to help prevent injuries, especially what we have learned about Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) to the brain, caused by repetitive head injuries from sports which leads to memory loss, impaired judgment, anxiety, depression and even death. Here are some great support options:
Player Safety:
Reduce Sports Injuries:
www.sportsafety.com
Reduce Concussions:
Simple to use device worn around neck that helps prevent concussions (FDA Approved): www.qcollar.com
Mental Health:
National Alliance on Mental Health Helpline at 1-800-950-6264, www.nami.org/help.
For immediate access to routine or crisis services, please call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) at 1-800-715-4225. GCAL is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year to help you or someone you care for in a crisis.
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States, 1-800-273-8255, www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression Foundation:
Athletes for Hope
Substance Abuse Prevention:
Partnership to End Addiction
www.drugfree.org
Find Support for Quitting Drugs and Alcohol
www.detoxlocal.com
Opioid Reversal Kits
www.thecaf.org
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Volunteer Opportunities
There’s a common desire among professional athletes to give back to their local communities with their newfound fame and wealth. With an opportunity to earn from their fame, students can give to their communities and favorite charities. You don’t need to be among the highest earners to make a difference as every dollar donated has the power to affect change. If you’re interested in giving back to your local community, it’s best to speak with leaders in that area to ensure your dollars are put to the most effective use. Here are a few resources:
Volunteer to empower families to break the cycle of generational poverty and achieve a better quality of life for all:
www.wdc.org
Highlighting athletes, across the spectrum of sports, who are working hard to help their communities and others achieve goals many thought were impossible:
https://greaterthanthegame.org
Educating athletes on their potential to make a positive impact on the world, connecting them with the causes they care about & inspiring others to do the same:
https://www.athletesforhope.org
Athletes working to help their communities:
https://greaterthanthegame.org
Educational and Financial Opportunities
With all the opportunities provided to college athletes through the new NIL policies, students have yet another thing to worry about. Before, it was tough enough to juggle a full-time college curriculum with the demands of a college-level sport which is increasingly becoming comparable to the requirements placed upon professional athletes. As college students, however, education should always remain priority number one. After all, no college athlete will be allowed to continue playing if their grades split.
Fortunately, several organizations have already been helping athletes to help them balance their academics with their athletics. I’ve listed these educational opportunities to help students find these resources and tools:
Educational
Educational and Life Skills for Athletes:
Empowering Athletes to be Entrepreneurs and Influencers:
Free Tutoring:
Online School for Athletes:
www.sportsworldschool.com
Financial
Sports Literacy Financial Academy
www.moneysmartathlete.com
Develop Your Financial Skills to Match Your Ambition
www.edyoucore.com
Tax Implications of NIL
NIL Marketplaces
www.nilnetwork.com/2021/06/nil-digital-marketplaces/
Please contact me if I can help you obtain more resources and subscribe below to be added to my email list, I wish you the best as you pursue your academic, entrepreneurial, and athletic dreams: (For FIVERR… FOR YOUR INFO AND TO ADD My email is brian3008@icloud.com and Twitter and IG @NILInsight