The NIL Academy

In June 2021, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the NCAA was not legally allowed to limit any education-related payments to students. In a little more than a year, this breakthrough ruling allowing for student-athletes to monetize their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) has completely transformed the College Sports landscape.

The fast-moving world of NIL in College Athletics continues to evolve on almost a daily basis, and the NIL Academy will help you navigate through it. Shaped by the best and brightest minds in sports, media, marketing and technology, the NIL Academy will look at all aspects of NIL.

During this dynamic two-hour programming block, you’ll hear from the leading brands, creators, social platforms, marketing and talent agencies, media personalities and current and former NCAA athletes who are shaping this fast-changing and complex world.

4:00 – 4:10p
The NIL Academy: Opening Remarks and Conversation
University of Wisconsin Deputy Athletic Director Mitchell Pinta will set the stage for the NIL Academy, providing a University perspective of how the top athletic programs in the country are embracing this significant shift in the sports, brand, media, and marketing zeitgeist.

Speakers:
Mitchell Pinta, Deputy Athletic Director, University of Wisconsin
Moderator: Lance Pillersdorf, CEO, Advertising Week

4:10 – 4:40p
The Varsity Collective
The University of Wisconsin-Madison's newly launched Varsity Collective is rewriting the model for the way student-athletes are supported in the NIL era with a uniquely Wisconsin approach that empowers each athlete, enhances their opportunities and creatives positive ripples across the community.

Hear from the leaders of the Varsity Collective on how they are building a Collective to equip Badger student-athletes with a foundation for lifelong success while maximizing their NIL and equipping them with education and mentorship for the game of life.

Speakers:
Kim Kelleher, President – Commercial Revenue & Partnerships, AMC Networks
Rob Master, Vice President, Integrated Marketing and Media at Unilever
Brooks Bollinger, Former University of Wisconsin and NFL Quarterback
Moderator: Randall Williams, Writer, Boardroom

4:45 – 5:05p
The NIL Academy: CMO Conversation
As student athletes chase down NIL deals, the most valuable perspective for them is that of the executives who are seeking out stars to represent their brands. What are they looking for? How are they structuring deals? What equates to success? Pat O’Toole, CMO of Mountain Dew, will provide board room insights for locker room entrepreneurs in this conversation on the future of marketing in college sports.

Speakers:
Pat O’Toole, CMO, Mountain Dew
Moderator: Doug Williams

5:15 – 5:45p
How NIL Sponsorships Are Changing Brand Advertising
For decades professional athletes have been at the center of brand marketing campaigns. Now college athletes are taking center stage in brand sponsorship through NIL deals. In this panel, we will talk to brand execs about the potential impact that NIL deals will not only bring to collegiate athletes but also how brands engage with them to win a new audience of consumers.

Speakers:
Cecil White, Agent, WME Sports
Jason Bergman, CEO, MarketPryce
Moderator: Earl Silas

5:45 – 6:15p
The Next Wave of Gen Z Influence: NCAA Student Athletes
College athletes are the new-new superstars!

In a groundbreaking move, the NCAA now allows student athletes to be paid in exchange for representation. This has opened the floodgates for student athlete endorsements and influencer marketing.

There are over 500,000 NCAA student athletes. Many of which are creators with audiences rivaling their pro sport peers. This provides a new avenue for agencies and brands to unlock influence, content creation, and data-driven consumer insights.

Our panelists are at the forefront of the growing NIL and influencer marketing space.

Speakers:
Andrew Mavis, 3x All-American and founder, NIL agency 98Strong
Brendan Gahan, Chief Social Officer, Mekanism / LinkedIn Top Voices in the Creator Economy
Steven Vigilante, Head of Growth, OLIPOP
Niko Katsuyoshi, Sophomore NCAA Wrestling, Harvard University
Kyla Hill, Senior NCAA Track & Field Student Athlete, Fordham University
Moderator:
Phoebe Bain, Reporter Marketing Brew, Morning Brew