S. 4 E. 8 - From Rugby to FBS: The Power of NIL in College Sports - A Deep Dive with Aaron Mitchell

In this dynamic episode, Aaron Mitchell and Kyle Stelter explore the transformative world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college sports. Aaron shares his journey to Fresno State and how rugby benefited his football career. Kyle highlights the impact of player-led leadership and the evolution of recruiting and NIL from 2014 to 2024. We dive into the benefits of the new NCAA Football 25 video game, the influence of social media, and strategic NIL uses by Power 5 schools and Fresno State. The future of NIL, early brand connections, and diverse NIL deals, including unique agreements like dog adoption, are discussed. The episode also covers NIL agents, mid-major player strategies, and ever-changing NIL rules. A rapid-fire section presents intriguing NIL deals, the advantages for female athletes under Title IX, and practical advice for helping specialists and mid-major teams stay competitive in the NIL game. 0:24 - Aaron Mitchell’s Introduction 1:19 - Aaron’s Diverse Background 2:00 - Kyle Stelter’s Introduction 3:13 - Winning a Drill a Day 4:02 - Journey to Fresno State - “I’ll Figure it Out” 7:50 - How Rugby Benefited Him in Football 10:11 - Key Factor to Go From 1 Win to 10 Wins - The Feeling for Players That Coach Believes in Them - Player-Led Leadership 13:20 - What Was NIL and Recruiting Like in 2014 Compared to 2024? 18:10 - What FBS Football Players Get with the New NCAA Football 25 Video Game 19:00 - Brett’s Thoughts on the Influence of Social Media on NIL 20:00 - NFL Use of Social Media 22:50 - Power 5 Uses in NIL 23:50 - Fresno Area of Attack in NIL 25:40 - Where is NIL Going? 27:45 - The Benefit of NIL - Get Connected with Brands Before They Become Professionals 29:00 - Players Getting Multiple Houses - Examples of NIL Deals - Use Specific Examples of Businesses 31:40 - How Do NIL Agents Work? 35:20 - How Do Mid-Major Players Organize NIL Deals? 38:50 - The Ever-Changing Rules of NIL 43:18 - Rapid Fire Section Presented by The Kicker’s Bible 43:23 - Most Unique NIL Deals Ever Heard Of - Dog Adoption Deal 45:05 - Using Trucks as Advertisements 47:27 - What Are They Able to Do With the Vehicles? 49:00 - Title Nine and Why Female Athletes Do Better 51:00 - How Athletes Ask for NIL 52:40 - What’s Important to Businesses - Not Numbers, But Involvement and Connection with Business - Get BA’s Input in There Too. 54:30 - How Can We Help Specialists in NIL? - Do Not Put in "What Do You Want to Get out of It," but Examples of Deals. 57:00 - Kicker Abraham Montano and His Success in NIL 58:00 - NIL Debate with Title 9 - Putting the Power in the Player’s Hands 58:40 - Aaron’s Examples for Group of 5 Teams and Local Businesses - Non-Comprehensive Deals vs. Comprehensive Deals - Kelce and Trading Card Deals 1:02:08 - On It Trading Card Deals - All 110 Guys and Savemart, Sign 4,000 Cards 1:04:55 - How Do Mid-Majors Stay Competitive in the NIL Game? Start with Local Businesses - Billboards of Fresno in Local Businesses - Include BA’s Example of Bozeman