A while back I speculated Diego Pavia would file a lawsuit based on his NIL rights. Turns out I was only partially right. The suit was filed on November 8th in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Pavia is currently in his fifth year of eligibility, after playing two years at New Mexico State, and is now in his third season at Vanderbilt. He is arguing the COVID-19 pandemic and specific challenges facing JUCO transfers warrant an extra season.

According the lawyer-monthly.com, the lawsuit highlights some key concerns that are relevant to athletes who come from junior colleges. The suit suggests counting JUCO seasons towards eligibility unfairly penalizes athletes for gaining experience at lower levels of competition. Less time playing at a higher level also limits the athlete’s ability to earn income from NIL, which is rapidly becoming the primary source of revenue for college athletes.

A key area to watch is the premise that athletes who transfer from low-profile programs to larger, high-profile programs should have expanded eligibility to seek NIL income. For many of these athletes, their only opportunity to earn income from their athletic ability is while they are competing in college. This is a very complex issue. JUCO programs are mostly part of the NJCAA, as well as other programs from NAIA schools. Would this apply to D II and D III programs within the NCAA? The only thing we know for sure is this - As long as NIL revenue is concentrated at the top of college sports, this type of litigation will continue.

Branding Basics: Brand Kit

Harnessing Virality for NIL Success

Virality goes beyond mere popularity. In social media, virality means the rapid spread of content across platforms, driven by its shareability and engagement. Viral content - things like “The Ice Bucket Challenge” - captivate audiences, inspire participation, and spread exponentially.

For college athletes, understanding and utilizing virality can create instant opportunities. Here are a few reasons why:

1. Maximum Leverage: Viral content allows athletes to extend their reach far beyond their usual followers, generating significant exposure without constant posting. A single post can amplify your brand and generate potential NIL partners.

2. Increased NIL Value: Going viral adds unique value to your profile. Athletes with viral posts stand out more and are more attractive NIL partners due to their demonstrated ability to captivate and engage audiences.

3. Career and Community Impact: Beyond NIL, virality can have lasting benefits. Athletes who can demonstrate strong social media skills are. well-positioned for careers in marketing, product development, and content creation. In addition, viral content can mobilize support for charitable causes, like the Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised $115 million for ALS.

Understanding and leveraging virality is a pathway to rapidly grow your NIL income. It can create lasting impact in and out of sports, and position you well for life after sports. Take the time to learn and understand what makes content engaging and shareable, and maybe your next post will help you realize your NIL goals.

Financial Literacy and Student-Athletes

Financial literacy is more than just managing money – it’s the skill set that empowers you to take control of your financial future. Financial literacy is the ability to understand and effectively use financial skills, including essential practices like budgeting, managing debt, and saving for the future. If you are an athlete who is navigating the world of NIL, strong financial literacy skills are critically important to your success. Understanding how to manage your finances and create financial stability for yourself are key to a successful future.

Here are three core pillars of financial literacy:

1. Budgeting: Planning your income and expenses over time to maintain control over your financial life.

2. Managing Debt: Understanding debt and how to manage it effectively to avoid future financial pitfalls.

3. Creating Wealth: Planning how to save and invest excess funds for future needs, emergencies, and retirement.

As college athletes looking to leverage NIL agreements, having a strong foundation in financial literacy helps avoid common financial pitfalls and build a secure future.