Neeta Sreekanth: INFLCR, Chief Operating Officer – Work In Sports Podcast - a podcast by Brian Clapp - Work in Sports

Hey everybody, I’m Brian Clapp, VP of Content and Engaged Learning for WorkInSports.com and this is the Work In Sports podcasts…







So think about this for a second -- remove all your preconceived notions - remove everything you’ve been told over the years - clear your mind.







You are a 19-year old elite college athlete. A basketball star, a softball star, a football star - doesn’t matter, you are elite.  







I love this dream already - I always wanted to be an elite 19-year old athlete, instead of a well, you know, a decent high school athlete who went on to a successful intramural career.







Ok, back on track, dream scenario, elite athlete…







You, the 19 year old elite athlete, start to appear in marketing materials for your university. You are selling tickets. Your jersey, with your name and number on it, is top selling merchandise, generating massive revenue. A video game company, puts your face, your body, your brand on the cover of their game...and sells millions.















You, the product generating everything, the machine that makes it all go, sees nothing. 







Meanwhile, you post a video of your most recent training session on youtube -- it generates thousands of views, tons of comments… and by a mistake, you had on the option to include ads, on the video, so it generates some revenue for you.  







It’s your brand, it’s you. But now you are penalized, threatened with losing your eligibility over generating revenue on yourself and for yourself.







So everyone else can profit off of you, but you can’t.







Just to clarify with some real numbers, the NCAA generates over a billion dollars yearly in just media right deals, to broadcast their events, and thee athletes upon who’s back this is generated receive a good old fashioned opportunity to gain an education - not without value, but not exactly equal either. 







This scenario doesn’t have to be relegated to the elite 1% Zion Williamsons and  Trevor Lawrences who end up on video games -- literally any student-athlete should be able to build a brand and monetize it. They have access, stories, fan bases and if they work to cultivate and grow that reach they should reap the benefits. Period. Full Stop. pont made. Drop the mic.







Is there nuance to my dream scenario we are overlooking, sure, but stick with the overarching scenario - the big birds eye view is far from equitable.







Now, it took 50 or so years, but we may finally be reaching a point that makes more sense for everyone. 







Without getting too litigious -- the NCAA has forbade athletes from profiting off their name, image or likeness (NIL) forever. But California, who knows how to party, signed a law last year saying in our state student athletes can profit off of their NIL -- called the fair pay to play act. 







Basically telling the NCAA - you don’t hold all the power. 







While many college coaches and administrators started clutching their pearls, decrying the coming downfall of American civilization if athletes are allowed to, you know, make money, 30 other states passed the Fair Pay to play act -- forcing the NCAA hand. 







The NCAA backed into a corner said “sure sure sure” we love that idea… we universally agree to allow student athletes to profit off their nams images and likeness in 2021. 







According to research company MediaKix --   influencer marketing is a 5-10 billion dollar enterprise. 







Now,

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