This article is worth paying attention to — not because NIL is new to high school athletes, but because of how this deal happened and what it reflects about where NIL is going at the local level. 👉 Read the article here: https://www.wilx.com/2026/02/06/keyshawn-summerville-becomes-first-mid-michigan-high-school-athlete-land-an-nil-deal/ According to the article, this NIL deal came through a local business, complied with state and association guidelines, and was positioned as a community-based partnership, not a massive national brand deal. That detail matters. Here’s what this shows us in real time: • Many early high school NIL deals are local and relationship-driven, not flashy • Brands are starting close to home — businesses athletes already interact with • Schools and state associations are watching closely for compliance • Athletes who present themselves professionally are easier for brands to say yes to This wasn’t about being the most famous athlete. It was about being the most accessible, compliant, and brand-safe. Another important takeaway from the article: The deal didn’t disrupt the athlete’s eligibility or school standing — because it was done the right way. That’s the part families often overlook. High school NIL right now rewards athletes who: • Understand boundaries • Communicate clearly • Have parent involvement • Look responsible and organized • Make it easy for a business to partner without risk This article is a reminder that the next wave of NIL isn’t just about who’s the best athlete — it’s about who’s the easiest to work with. That’s why we focus so heavily on: • Brand foundation • Messaging • Presentation • Consistency • Structure Because when opportunities show up locally, brands don’t want chaos — they want clarity. If you read this article, ask yourself: Does my athlete look like a safe, professional partner today?

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey filed an affidavit supporting the NCAA’s eligibility rules in the ongoing legal battle over whether Alabama basketball’s Charles Bediako should be allowed to continue playing What Sankey is saying: • He’s asking the court to uphold NCAA eligibility standards, arguing they are essential for the integrity and educational mission of college sports. • Sankey also argues that letting former professional athletes return to college play can create an unfair competitive advantage for current student-athletes. • His view frames these rules as broader protections for opportunities for current and future players, not just one player’s situation. Bediako, a former Alabama player, later signed a professional contract and played in the NBA G League. He then sued the NCAA to restore his eligibility to play college basketball. A temporary restraining order allowed him to suit up for Alabama for four games while the legal process unfolds. A hearing was held Friday in Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court, and a ruling is expected soon. If the court sides with the NCAA, Bediako’s season could be over. This case touches on broader debates about eligibility, professional experience, and how NCAA rules interact with athlete compensation and career paths. If courts are swayed by Sankey and the NCAA arguments, it could set a precedent limiting how former pros can come back even as NIL and compensation landscapes continue evolving. READ MORE: https://www.on3.com/college/alabama-crimson-tide/news/greg-sankey-asks-for-courts-to-uphold-the-ncaa-eligibility-rules-in-charles-bediako-case/

We’re excited to officially announce @Andre Sims, player development extraordinaire, as our February Speaker Series guest! 👏🔥 📅 February 12 ⏰ 7:00 PM EST! Andre will be joining the Winning Your Way community to break down real-world lessons around NIL and personal branding, how athletes can navigate opportunities with intention, and how to position themselves beyond performance as visibility and opportunities grow. This session is about making smart decisions, protecting your reputation, and building a brand that lasts beyond the season - on and off the field. ✅ Athletes and families, you won’t want to miss this one. Drop a 👀 or 🔥 in the comments if you’ll be there!

You are more than just your sport and your content should reflect that. I know a lot of you struggle with knowing what to post every week, so i wanted to give you some guidance. Remember, you should be posting 3-4 times a week to grow on social media if you’re serious about building a brand and landing NIL deals. This 7-day plan gives you 3 different options per day so you can choose what fits your energy, schedule, and personality. Sports, lifestyle, mindset, and interests all count. You don’t need to do all three. Pick one per day. DAY 1 — Identity / First Impression Option A (Sports): “People think ___ about my sport, but that’s not actually true.” Option B (Lifestyle): “Get ready with me for ___.” (practice, school, workout, game day) Option C (Personality): “Three things people don’t know about me.” DAY 2 — Effort & Discipline Option A (Sports): POV training clip Text: “POV: You’re training while everyone else scrolls.” Option B (Lifestyle): “Follow me as I go through my training day.” Option C (Mindset): Short talking video: “Something I’m locked in on this week…” DAY 3 — Story Time / Real Moment Option A (Sports): “Story time: a moment that changed how I train.” Option B (Lifestyle): “Story time: how I balance sports and ___ (school, family, work).” Option C (Personal Growth): “One thing I used to struggle with that I’m better at now.” DAY 4 — Behind the Scenes (Quiet Content) Option A (Sports): Behind-the-scenes of practice or recovery Text: “This part never makes the highlight tape.” Option B (Lifestyle): A day in the life (short clips, no talking) Option C (Interest-Based): Show something you care about outside sports (fashion, music, food, faith, fitness, art, gaming, etc.) DAY 5 — Advice Without Preaching Option A (Sports): “If you play ___, stop doing this.” Option B (Lifestyle): “One habit that’s helped me stay consistent.” Option C (Perspective): “What I wish I knew earlier.” DAY 6 — Motivation Without the Speech

want to take a moment to give a HUGE shoutout to @Sage Abdullah , one of our community members and someone who was also part of my very first NIL Accelerator last year. Since then, Sage has gone on to land many, many more NIL deals, and it’s not by accident. What changed? ➡️ He started posting consistently ➡️ He applied what he learned about content creation ➡️ He stayed patient and focused on building, not chasing quick wins Sage is a track and field athlete at Prairie View A&M (HBCU), and he is a prime example of what it looks like when you DO THE WORK. His growth didn’t come from luck, talent alone, or one viral moment. It came from showing up, refining his content, and treating his brand like something worth building long-term. And here’s the part everyone needs to hear: Everyone in this community has the same opportunity — but only if you actually apply what you’re learning here. Proud of you, Sage. Keep going. This is just the beginning 👏🏾🔥