Who should you listen to when it comes to NIL? With all the Collectives, clever graphics, social media presence and smart marketing, it can be hard to discern. In my opinion, the most important voices in NIL right now include (in no particular order):
- Darren Heitner – Sports & Entertainment Attorney, NIL Commentator, Author, Owner of Heitner Law (Heitner Legal – START SAYING, “I LOVE MY LAWYER.”), Entrepreneur and Adjunct Professor of Law at both the University of Florida Levin College of Law and University of Miami School of Law. Heitner is a national authority on NIL, particularly the legal side of NIL. He also has an impressive roster of renowned former — and current — athlete clients. Twitter: @DarrenHeitner.
- Jim Cavale – Founder/CEO of INFLCR (INFLCR – The Content Platform for Elite Athletics – INFLCR). INFLCR is a leading software and technology provider which publicizes NIL “Monthly Data Reports” relative to the athletes on its platform. This data provides real-world information about how NIL actually works across numerous markets. Twitter: @jimcavale
- Kristi Dosh – Attorney, NIL Educator, Commentator and Consultant (https://www.kristidosh.com/), Writer for Forbes Magazine, Founder of the Business of College Sports, Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Founder of the Business of College Sports podcast and Author (of Saturday Millionaires: How Winning Football Builds Winning Colleges). Dosh is another well-known and trusted name in the NIL space. She also has a unique and educated perspective. Twitter: @SportsBizMiss
- Blake Lawrence – Founder/CEO of Opendorse and former Nebraska Huskers Football player. “Opendorse is a NIL technology company that helps athletes and their support group to build and monetize their brand value. Their platform is based around getting athletes deals and assisting organizations, agents, athletic departments, and brands in this effort.” Everything You Need To Know About Opendorse & It’s NIL Operations (collegeathleteinsight.com) Since its opening in 2012, Opendorse has developed into a NIL behemoth. I review Opendorse’s “NIL Industry Insights,” which are regularly updated “Compensation and activity trends from the NIL era of college sports” on its platform, beginning on July 1, 2021, to present. NIL Industry Insights – Opendorse. These monthly trends are incredibly informative — and revealing — about how NIL operates in America today. Twitter: @Blake_Lawrence
- Jeremy Crabtree – Senior Editor of On3 Sports. Crabtree possesses a unique and intelligent voice and perspective on NIL and its impact on student-athletes and college sports generally. He has covered college football recruiting for nearly 30 years, including previous stops at Rivals.com and ESPN. Twitter: @jeremycrabtree
- Jason Belzer – Attorney, Adjunct Professor at Rutgers, CEO of Student Athlete NIL (SANIL – Student Athlete NIL – Name Image Likeness) and CEO of Athletic Director U (Athletic Director U – College Athletics News | Athletic Director News). Belzer is a big — and trusted — name in NIL. For good reason. Twitter: @JasonBelzer.
- Michelle Meyer – NIL educator, Founder of NIL Network (www.nilnetwork.com) and Co-Founder of NIL Verified (About NIL Verified – NIL Network). She is a trusted name in NIL and knows a lot about the NIL space. I strongly recommend checking out her website, www.nilnetwork.com, for great educational information on NIL. Twitter: @NILNetwork.
- Ross Dellenger – College Football Writer for Sports Illustrated. One of the best in the business. Twitter: @RossDellenger
- Dan Murphy – ESPN Staff Writer and Author of (Start By Believing: Larry Nassar’s Crimes, the Institutions That Enabled Him, and the Brave Women Who Stopped a Monster (publishersweekly.com). One of my favorite writers at ESPN, Murphy works with the Investigate/News Enterprise Group at ESPN and has previously covered college football there. He presently covers a range of NIL stories and controversies. Twitter: @DanMurphyESPN
- Mit Winter – Sports Law Attorney at Kennyhertz Perry LLC (Mit Winter | Kennyhertz Perry) and NIL Commentator. Winter provides great analytical perspective on NIL — and the future possibilities of reform. He also played Basketball at William & Mary, graduating in 2001. Twitter: @WinterSportsLaw.
- Steve Simmons — Founder and Owner of NIL Enterprise Solutions, NIL Educator and Commentator. Simmons really cares about the student-athletes, which I love to see! Twitter: @NILPartners