In case you missed it... ATHLETES & NIL @ SXSW in Austin, TX

I have to say... NIL has a legacy effect that we can't really quantify! What do I mean... well I remember voting on things like FRUITS, NUTS & BAGELS as an SEC student-athlete at LSU. We were just trying to tell the student-athlete story and possibly get some free snacks to eat along the way. But today's Student-Athlete is on a whole new level of opportunity with NIL to where everybody can eat...and I'm not just talking fruits, nuts, and bagels! Student-Athletes have the opportunity to create "Well-Off" status for themselves and their families and it's beautiful when done right! Getting our families out of hardship, paying our parents, family, friends, and coaches back for all the early mornings, long nights, rides to and from practice, showing love and support at games, and just for loving us for who we are and supporting our dreams...Taking care of home was and still is the motivation for so many!

The world of college sports has undergone a major shift in recent months with the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. These deals allow college athletes to monetize their personal brand, including social media accounts, merchandise sales, and endorsements. With athletes now able to profit off their own likeness, the landscape of college sports is changing rapidly, and several high-profile deals have already been announced across America. But, nothing was more awesome than having the privilege to witness Texas Running Back and NFL Draft Hopeful Bijan Robinson (FRESH FROM THE COMBINE) kill it during SXSW here in Austin! It was something like his running style, "Poetry in Motion!" Bijan currently has the fourth-highest NIL valuation in college football at $1.8 million, however...I'm sure it is much higher at this point after his awesome mustard campaign launch. What is not shown in the photos is that Bijan is connected with the likes of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. , Athletic Brewing Co. Brewing, Beats by Dre Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and Kollective

During SXSW he joined a panel moderated by former UT Athlete Quan Cosby and sat with Dr. Natalie T. J. Tindall , Director of the Stan Richards Advertising and Public Relations School at Uni. of Texas. The panel also included Craig Allen, the Chief Creative Officer of CALLEN , (the creative agency responsible for Bijan Mustardson), and Bryan Burney , his marketing manager from Athletes First was also present. His week consisted of meet n greets with fans and foodies from all over the city, pop-up shops CENTRALMARKET S.R.L. for his new Mustard where he interacted with fans by taking photos and signing autographs as fans had the opportunity to buy merch and mustard! Bijan enjoyed private showings and premieres during SouthBy and truly showed how the power of doing NIL the right way can truly be a WIN for everyone involved. I personally loved seeing Bijan and his team win! S/O Cleyrissa Robinson . It's only UP from here for them. They are the blueprint. They are genuinely loving and caring individuals who exemplify excellence and care about everyone they interact with. They demand excellence by raising the bar high and brands, companies, and organizations who resonate with this language are what match. They are using their platform for Good and to God be the Glory! Bijan, a man of Faith and Family shares what is important via his social platforms. And, as long as brands allow athletes like Bi, to be authentically themselves, continue to match the athlete's voice and value, and stay both true and committed... may the "Well-Off Era" commence for every NIL Athlete Available! So, Brands beware: Fruits, nuts and bagels just ain't gonna do honey!

One of the most high-profile NIL deals so far has been made by University of Miami quarterback, D'Eriq King. King signed a deal with Florida-based company, College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, which will see him become an ambassador for the brand. King will promote the company's services on his social media channels and participate in community events, in exchange for an undisclosed amount of money.

Another notable deal has been signed by Ohio State quarterback, Quinn Ewers. Ewers signed a deal with GTSM, a Texas-based autograph and memorabilia company, which will allow him to sell signed merchandise, including jerseys and footballs. This deal is especially significant as Ewers has not yet played a single game for Ohio State, but is considered one of the most highly-touted high school recruits in recent memory.

In the world of women's college sports, basketball player, Hailey Van Lith, has signed a deal with the Seattle-based women's clothing company, Lululemon. Van Lith will promote the brand on her social media channels and participate in events and campaigns for the company. This deal is notable as it marks one of the first major NIL deals signed by a female college athlete.

Several other high-profile deals have been signed across the country, including University of Nebraska volleyball player, Lexi Sun, who has signed a deal with the supplement company, NutriFitt, and University of Georgia quarterback, JT Daniels, who has signed a deal with the personal finance app, Level.

It's clear that NIL deals are having a major impact on the world of college sports. With athletes now able to profit off their own likeness, we are likely to see more and more deals announced in the coming months and years. These deals are not only significant for the athletes themselves, but for the wider college sports industry, which is now adapting to a new era of athlete compensation. It will be interesting to see how this new landscape develops, and how it will impact the future of college sports in America.

But for Athletes reading this...or if you know any athletes who don't know where to start, share this:

1. Focus on what you came to do first! Perform and the rest will take care of itself! Don't get caught up and trying to get to the bag when you haven't gone to class, film study, the weight room or even class for that matter! Like Coach Pirme says, "Do Good and They Pay Good!"
2. Be both patient and persistent!
3. Be YOU... Why? Well, everyone else is taken! lol Besides, people really want to see the real you!
4. Ask... What is my style? What makes me unique?
5. Nerd out. Find your people, your fans, and your tribe... they'll love you!
6. Understand there is an ebb and flow of being an athlete but you want a brand that is in this for the long game; both when you're up and down.
7. Judgment is temporary but partnerships can be lifelong.
8. Ask yourself, What is my purpose? What do I value? Does this brand match? Are our voices the same?

Cheers to all my NIL'ers doing the WORK! Be great. Be you. Just don't get lost in it all. I believe it's Person/Player don't let the player make your person regret anything you can't live with.

-Love Coach Gunn