MEET YOUR NIL MANAGER

Anthony Wayne Thomas (Tony) knows balancing athletics, academics, and NIL opportunities is tough. Student-athletes juggle training, coursework, brand deals, and career growth—while striving for peak performance. As NIL grows more complex, a manager isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Beyond securing sponsorships, managers help athletes avoid pitfalls, protect finances, and align NIL deals with career goals. Athletes with career and brand support secure higher-value endorsements and transition more successfully post-sports. A manager doesn’t just help athletes win today—they set them up for lasting success.

Tony is available to talk with you right now about deal management, brand partnerships, personal brand development, public relations strategies, crisis and reputation management, networking and mentorship opportunities, and scholarship and academic support.

TALK WITH TONY

Get expert NIL management advice and strategies!

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NOT SURE WHAT TO ASK? START WITH:

1. Landing NIL Deals

• Attracting Brands: How can I make myself more attractive to brands looking for NIL partnerships?
• Common Mistakes: What are the biggest mistakes athletes make when trying to land their first deal?
• Pitching Yourself: How do I approach a company if I want to pitch myself for an NIL deal?
• Contract Protection: What should I look for in a contract to protect myself financially and legally?
• Negotiating Deals: How can I negotiate a better NIL deal without losing the opportunity?

2. Building a Personal Brand

• Brand Elements: What are the key elements of a strong personal brand in sports?
• Social Media: How can I make my social media profile more appealing to sponsors?
• Niche vs. Broad: Should I focus on a specific niche when building my brand, or stay broad?
• Authenticity vs. Professionalism: How do I balance authenticity with professionalism in my brand image?
• Content Creation: What’s the best way to create content that attracts both fans and sponsors?

3. Marketing Yourself as an Athlete

• Marketing Strategies: What marketing strategies work best for student-athletes looking to grow their audience?
• DIY vs. Professional: Should I hire a professional to help with my marketing, or can I do it myself?
• Team Leverage: How can I use my team’s success to boost my individual marketing efforts?
• Storytelling Power: What role does storytelling play in promoting myself as an athlete?
• Game-Day Highlights: How do I leverage game-day performances and highlights to gain attention?

4. Networking with Alumni and Businesses

• Alumni Connections: How can I connect with alumni who may want to support my NIL efforts?
• Local Sponsorships: What’s the best way to reach out to local businesses for sponsorship opportunities?
• Relationship Building: How do I maintain professional relationships with people I network with?
• Networking Events: Are there NIL-friendly networking events or conferences I should attend?
• Using LinkedIn: How can I use LinkedIn effectively as a student-athlete?

5. Finding Career Opportunities Through NIL

• Career Preparation: How can I use my NIL experience to prepare for a career after sports?
• Transferable Skills: What skills from managing NIL deals translate to the business world?
• Resume & Interviews: How can I showcase my NIL success on a resume or in job interviews?
• Valued Industries: Are there specific industries that value student-athletes with NIL experience?
• Long-Term Careers: How do I turn NIL partnerships into long-term career opportunities?

6. Public Relations & Managing Your Image

• Public Image: How can I control my public image when I have no PR experience?
• Handling Criticism: What should I do if I receive negative press or criticism online?
• Media Requests: How do I respond to media requests and interviews professionally?
• Media Kit: Should I have a media kit, and what should be included in it?
• Press Coverage: What’s the best way to use press coverage to boost my NIL value?

7. Scheduling & Time Management

• Balancing Commitments: How do I balance NIL commitments with my academic and athletic responsibilities?
• Productivity Tools: What tools or apps can help me manage my schedule efficiently?
• Opportunity Selection: How do I decide which NIL opportunities are worth my time?
• Avoiding Burnout: How can I avoid burnout while handling NIL, school, and sports?
• Setting Boundaries: Should I set boundaries with brands regarding my availability and commitments?

8. Expanding Your Reach & Growing Your Network

• Growing Followers: What’s the best way to grow my following on social media without buying followers?
• Collaborations: How do I collaborate with other student-athletes or influencers to expand my reach?
• Media Features: How do I get featured in sports blogs, podcasts, or news outlets?
• NIL Collectives: Are there NIL collectives or athlete groups I should join?
• College Media Team: How can I work with my college’s media team to get more exposure?

9. Financial Management & Long-Term Planning

• Budgeting Earnings: How should I budget my NIL earnings to ensure financial stability?
• Tax Planning: What are the tax implications of NIL income, and how do I prepare for them?
• Reinvesting Earnings: Should I reinvest some of my NIL earnings into my brand or business?
• Financial Goals: What’s the best way to set financial goals for my NIL earnings?
• Financial Advising: How do I work with a financial advisor to make smart money moves?

10. Turning NIL Success Into Future Business Ventures

• Entrepreneurship: How can I turn my NIL brand into a long-term business or entrepreneurship opportunity?
• Legal Steps: What legal steps should I take if I want to start a business?
• Selling Merchandise: Should I create and sell my own products or merchandise?
• Brand Ownership: How do I transition from NIL sponsorships to owning my own brand?
• Success Stories: What are some examples of student-athletes who successfully built businesses from their NIL deals?