Sam Green went from athlete to ESPN storyteller to founder of AthleteCon and she's here to share what actually drives NIL success. In this episode, she breaks down social media strategy, the power of storytelling, and what separates athletes who land deals from those who don't. If you're an athlete or a parent trying to figure out where to start, this one's for you.

About Sam:
Sam Green is the founder of AthleteCon and a former athlete whose career took her from the dance floor to ESPN, where she honed her expertise in storytelling and athlete branding. She now works with student-athletes and families to build authentic, monetizable brands in the NIL era, helping athletes understand that their story is their greatest asset. Through AthleteCon, Sam facilitates NIL deals, provides branding strategy, and educates the next generation of athletes on how to show up with purpose both on and off the field.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sam Green and AthleteCon
00:42 Sam Green's journey from dancer to athlete brand expert
01:58 Realization of being part of a larger brand during athletic career
02:59 The impact of deleting and rebuilding social media audiences
04:38 Advice for athletes facing social media burnout
06:16 Rebuilding social media presence and redefining personal brand
08:25 Lessons learned from ESPN on storytelling and athlete branding
10:14 The inception of AthleteCon and its mission
12:36 Memorable athlete deal stories and success examples
15:16 Funding AthleteCon and early challenges
16:35 Lessons learned from building AthleteCon
18:53 When should athletes and families start NIL planning
19:54 Common misconceptions about NIL among students and parents
23:00 Leveraging AI for athlete content and strategy
26:11 Future trends: What separates successful NIL athletes
27:51 Upcoming plans for AthleteCon and final thoughts

Connect with Sam Green
AthleteCon Official Website - https://athletecon.com

Sam Green Instagram - @sambgreen

Connect with Brian Davidson
Linkedin

Get Started with NIL

If you're navigating NIL or supporting a student-athlete, understanding branding and strategy early can make a major difference in long-term success. Make sure to get started for free at nilgameplan.com

The NIL era has changed everything, but not always in the ways athletes and families think. In this episode, Dr. John DeWitt breaks down the myths and realities of NIL deals, college recruitment, and the transfer portal. With only 7% of high school athletes historically making it to the college level and with that number shrinking, the stakes have never been higher. Dr. DeWitt shares what families get wrong about scholarships, how the transfer portal has raised the competition bar, and what athletes should actually be focused on to improve their shot at playing at the next level.

About John:
Dr. John DeWitt is a former SEC and professional football player turned advocate for student-athletes and their families. Drawing from his own experience in high-level competition, he works with high schools, athletic directors, coaches, and families to navigate the increasingly complex world of NIL, recruiting, the transfer portal, and athlete well-being. A YMHFA-certified mental health first aid advocate and author of The High School NIL Reality Guide, Dr. DeWitt helps today's athletes make informed decisions before they get locked into opportunities they don't fully understand, covering everything from eligibility and compliance to the emotional pressures of identity, social media, and performance culture.

Timestamps:

0:03 — Intro and John’s background

0:31 — Athlete background and rise to the pros

4:31 — Student-athlete education and what’s being missed in NIL

6:38 — Key differences between states on high school NIL

9:11 — What NIL opens up for student athletes and families

13:08 — Examples of local NIL deals like pizza and gyms

15:05 — Agents, lawyers, and contract mistakes

19:29 — Balancing student, sports, business, and NIL fit

22:32 — Why so many athletes, parents, and coaches are confused

24:19 — John’s work helping families understand NIL

Connect with Dr John DeWitt:
Linkedin

Connect with Brian Davidson
Linkedin

Get Started with NIL

If you're navigating NIL or supporting a student-athlete, understanding branding and strategy early can make a major difference in long-term success. Make sure to get started for free at nilgameplan.com

In this episode, Michael Flores, co-founder of Triad Sports, shares his personal journey through college athletics, the transfer portal, and the opportunities and pitfalls of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. He breaks down the realities behind recruiting, agent involvement, and how student-athletes can take control of their future.

About Michael:
Michael Flores is a co-founder of Triad NIL and former college football offensive lineman whose career took him from the Ivy League at Dartmouth to Old Dominion, where he earned a Master's in Sports Management and started all 12 games at center, to his final season at Louisville, where he helped beat #2 Miami and won the Boca Raton Bowl. Along the way, he interned in commercial real estate, navigated the transfer portal firsthand, and watched the NIL landscape reshape college athletics in real time. That experience became the foundation for Triad NIL, which he co-founded to give student-athletes the contract literacy, agent guidance, and financial education he wished he'd had.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Guest introduction and Michael’s background in college sports
00:20 - The Ivy League recruitment process and academic priorities
01:00 - Financial aid and scholarship myths in Ivy League schools
02:00 - Transition from Dartmouth to Old Dominion and initial transfer considerations
03:30 - The impact of NIL on transfer decisions and athlete awareness
04:20 - How NIL started influencing college athlete decisions post-COVID
05:00 - The role of agents: from offers to high fees and self-managed strategies
06:45 - The founding of Triad Sports and motivation to help student-athletes
08:00 - Early NIL awareness and misconceptions about brand endorsements and pay-to-play
09:15 - The “free agency” era and agent influence on NIL deals
10:30 - Different agent fee structures and how families can evaluate them
11:50 - The common lack of understanding among athletes about contract details
13:00 - The importance of early planning and involvement in recruiting and NIL tactics
15:00 - How current athletes can stay proactive and build their network
16:30 - The significance of building trust with coaches and the small-world nature of college sports
17:45 - Selecting trustworthy agents and questions to ask before signing
19:00 - Mistakes athletes make regarding contract comprehension and ethical issues in the NIL space
20:45 - When to start thinking about NIL: high school versus college stages
22:00 - Tips for athletes and families to take control of their recruitment and NIL process
23:30 - How to evaluate agents: results, network, reputation, and fees
25:00 - The importance of understanding contract terms and avoiding exploitative practices
26:00 - Starting early: the ideal timeline for recruitment and NIL planning
28:00 - The key mentality: having a long-term game plan with education and mentorship
29:15 - Connecting with Michael for guidance and resources

Connect with Michael Flores:

Triad NIL Website

Connect with Brian Davidson
Linkedin

Get Started with NIL

If you're navigating NIL or supporting a student-athlete, understanding branding and strategy early can make a major difference in long-term success. Make sure to get started for free at nilgameplan.com