George Mason Names Janard Estell Inaugural Director of Player Management & NIL

FAIRFAX — George Mason University Athletics is proud to announce the appointment of Janard Estell as the department’s inaugural Director of Player Management and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Estell will report directly to Ashton Henderson, Senior Deputy Athletics Director and Chief Operating Officer.

Estell will transition from his current position as Associate Director of Development, Major Gifts for the Patriot Club, where he has worked closely with ICA senior leadership, advisory board members, and coaches to elevate philanthropic support for Mason Athletics.

In this new role, Estell will lead a comprehensive NIL and entrepreneurship strategy, focused primarily on supporting men’s and women’s basketball student-athletes, while also enhancing education, group licensing, and NIL strategy for all Mason student-athletes.

Estell will also collaborate with Malcolm Grace, Deputy AD for Compliance & NCAA Governance, to ensure all third-party NIL deals are properly reported and tracked within NIL GO, powered by Deloitte—a system recently adopted by the department to enhance transparency and compliance.

Estell brings extensive experience in player management, athletics administration, and corporate engagement.

Prior to joining George Mason, he served as an assistant men’s basketball coach at Chipola College, where he played a key role in program development. His efforts included securing financial sponsorships, organizing fundraising events, and fostering community partnerships to support the team’s operational needs. He played a pivotal role in enhancing athlete development programs, improving training facilities, and increasing team visibility through targeted public relations and marketing efforts—ultimately helping to elevate the program’s competitive standing.

As Director of Player Management and NIL, Estell will oversee NIL contract execution, donor and sponsor engagement, student-athlete benefit distribution, and educational programming designed to empower student-athletes to thrive both on and off the court.

“We are thrilled to have Janard Estell transition from his impactful role within the Patriot Club to help shape and lead our growing NIL ecosystem,” said Henderson. “His passion for student-athlete development, business acumen, and deep understanding of the evolving NIL landscape makes him an ideal leader for this role. Janard’s leadership will be instrumental as we continue to develop champions and transform lives through the power of sports.”

Aligned with George Mason’s mission to unite communities and inspire transformation through athletics, Estell’s appointment reinforces the department’s commitment to delivering innovative, ethical, and student-first NIL solutions. He will work closely with internal and external partners to create new revenue streams, enhance visibility for Mason student-athletes, and support their long-term success through entrepreneurship and brand-building education.