Advice from a player

I found a great article on a Florida State football player who has some great advice for student athletes that I wanted to share and include in my NIL presentation.  First, I found it interesting Braden Fiske started his college career at Western Michigan University.  He subsequently transferred to Florida State University for a better chance of making it as a professional.  However, he made the most of his time at Florida State by utilizing the benefits of NIL and signed his first NIL deal through The Battle End, a website that raises money for Florida State University football players. As Fiske notes, “[t]he money I received gave me a peace of mind I did not have previously. It also allowed me to give back to the community by attending guest appearances as well as charity events.”

Fiske learned a few lessons from his time at Florida State and his experience with NIL.  First, he noted the importance of social media and building a brand.  

His marketer emphasized the importance of maintaining an active presence on Instagram for student-athletes, highlighting that having a well-updated profile is crucial for attracting brand partnerships. She pointed out that without a visible persona on social media, it becomes challenging for brands to associate your image with their products. Fiske notes that once a personal brand starts to build, the more attention you get, the more brands want to come work with you.

Fiske also stressed the importance of recognizing one's self-worth and having the confidence to decline offers that undervalue your worth.  It is important to learn the value of the word “no” and prioritizing time and effort.

It's also essential to have a solid financial plan in place and to be proactive in managing your finances. Building a strong network and fostering relationships can lead to a myriad of opportunities and open doors for the future. Fiske advised starting to nurture these connections early on as they may prove to be invaluable in the long run, potentially offering support and assistance down the line, even after college and any professional athletic career.