My reflections after reading the outstanding book, “NIL for ALL: A 30-Minute Guide to NIL” by Mark R. Koesterer and Elizabeth Silane Houghton, Esq.
I’m writing this from 30,000 feet, flying home from San Francisco after finishing what might be one of the most eye-opening reads of the year.
True to its promise, “NIL for ALL” took exactly 30 minutes to read. Small but mighty, jam-packed with wisdom delivered in manageable bites.
The book introduces readers to five essential pillars: Personal Brand Development, Influencer and Brand Relations, Legal/Tax/Compliance, Philanthropy and Community Service, and Financial Literacy. But as I read, my thoughts wandered beyond the technical aspects to something more personal and pressing.
The Reality Check
There’s no way to write this other than sharing my stream of consciousness while reading this book:
– Wow. This is incredible information, and not just for athletes. These are life skills for every person – we should all be learning this.
– Woah, hold up… if my kid wanted to pursue NIL opportunities in college, he’d need to start preparing in high school.
– My son is 14 years old, a freshman in high school.
– 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Navigating BRANDING?
– That’s when it hit me: Are we asking too much of our young people?
The Weight of Expectation
Today’s young athletes already juggle academics, their sport, social pressures, and family expectations. Now we’re adding branding, public relations, content creation, and business development to that list—responsibilities that many adults hire professionals to handle.
Yes, this generation is remarkably smart and emotionally intelligent. But the pressure feels enormous.
As a parent, I’m torn. I want my 14-year-old to enjoy his youth without the weight of building a personal brand. Yet if he chose to pursue NIL opportunities, I wouldn’t want to limit him; I’d support him completely, especially in protecting his mental health and well-being.
The Critical Need for Community
This tension brings me to what I believe is the most important takeaway:
As NIL continues to evolve, it’s more crucial than ever for young people to be surrounded by loving, protective, caring communities.
Young athletes pursuing NIL will face challenges that can significantly impact their self-esteem and mental health:
• What if I don’t get an offer after all this effort?
• Why did that athlete get more than I did?
• I’m not good at social media and can’t afford professional help—what now?
• I’m a private person who doesn’t feel comfortable being vulnerable publicly. What do I do?
A Call to Action for Parents, Coaches, and Guardians
Here’s what I encourage all of us to do:
1. Educate ourselves about NIL. Understanding the landscape helps us better support our young athletes.
2. Build strong, supportive communities. Surround your athlete with people who will remind them that their worth isn’t determined by contracts or social media metrics—they are wonderful human beings regardless.
3. Adopt a mastery mindset. Instead of focusing solely on results (getting the contract), help them focus on building skills, one at a time. The journey matters as much as the destination.
Start with quality resources. Koesterer and Silane Houghton’s training programs offer an excellent foundation for this mastery-based learning approach (see below for the link).
4. Celebrate every step toward growth in character and wisdom!
Final Thoughts
The NIL landscape is here to stay, and it offers incredible opportunities for young athletes. But as we navigate this new world, let’s remember that our primary job is to support the whole person, not just the athlete.
If you’re on this journey and need support along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out. You’ve got this, and we’re all here to cheer you on.
If you’re interested in learning more about NIL opportunities and building these essential life skills, I highly recommend first reading “NIL for ALL” then checking out their comprehensive training programs at “The Players NIL.”
In solidarity,
Laura
The Athlete Psychotherapist 
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