Life as a College Athlete in the NIL EraHow NIL Opened the Door to Paid Brand Deals for College AthletesA College Athlete Explains How He Landed His Own SponsorshipsWhen a Top Recruit’s Seven-Figure NIL Deal Becomes Real LifeSmart Money Moves for Athletes After a First NIL CheckLife as a College Athlete in the NIL EraHow NIL Opened the Door to Paid Brand Deals for College AthletesA College Athlete Explains How He Landed His Own SponsorshipsWhen a Top Recruit’s Seven-Figure NIL Deal Becomes Real LifeSmart Money Moves for Athletes After a First NIL Check

Why an Athlete’s First NIL Deal Usually Starts Close to Campus

YSN June 14, 2026 1 min read

A breakdown of how most college athletes land their earliest name, image and likeness money — not from national brands, but from local businesses a short drive from campus.