NIL Are you ready for the future?

This one is written for the future. Going to put this out so that parents have a chance to see just what is possible for their children. There is a new way that has come forward. For the last year athletes have been able to make money for their name, image and likeness called the NIL. There are major factors that will help and they are as close as we have gotten to equal in the sports world and will continue to balance out in time.

"Back in my day" as the many have said, it was different. At best you may have received a scholarship and even got involved with money under the table for how a person could produce in an athletic event. Now there is real money on the table for high school athletes and beyond. This means that the four years in high school the clock starts ticking, and watch this time will start even earlier.

NIL allows athlete to be paid for the use of their name, image and likeness. This means that every year an athlete is in the game they can begin to prepare for their future. They are providing a value and getting paid for that value. The top three earners in the NIL market are all high school students this past year.

Bronny James ($7.2 million), Mike Williams ($3.6 million), and Arch Manning (3.5 million) all have surpassed what many are able to make in a lifetime. All of this can come with high cost as we have seen with a major NBA star and one of the high earners in the NIL.

Now it is more important than ever to help the youth elevate how they are prepared to take on this new level of responsibility. It is important to help all individuals gain tools to step into this next level of commitment.

First and foremost by looking at and creating discipline to move ahead with smart decisions is a critical sign for the future. Parents can take the time to make sure that coaches and people allowed in the lives of their children is critical. Often the most impactful person in a child's life is their coach. The games are a great way to mold the minds and empower choices for the betterment of all to follow.

Another major investment in the future of the children is to make sure that they gain the tools to present themselves in a powerful manner. Learning communication skills and having a voice for what they will stand for is crucial. Communication skills is one easy way to strengthen how a child shows up in the world.

Make the investment now in the formative years, camps, trainings and more can allow students to be ready for all to come. There are trainings that can help all become more equipped for the future.

What you may not know is that there are more than a thousand brands In this first year of the NIL. These brands have actively paid athletes to share their Name, Image and Likeness in advertising. Top five sports are football, men's basketball, women's gymnastics, swim / diving and women's basketball. By looking at the platforms of Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube and more, you will see how athletes are increasing how they are presenting themselves daily. Taking the time now to help individuals stand out is how the future will expand on every level.

The top places for an athlete to present themselves now and in the future are autographs, camps and lessons for others, social media, and public appearances. All of the top areas except for one, the better the communication skills the better they will come across. By taking the time to grow as speakers and communication skills are great ways to grow in Name, Likeness and Image.

Get ready as things have already amped up. Take a look at University of Alabama's facilities. To keep up with all that is coming forward, you can see where schools and athletic programs are willing to invest in order to move ahead. Alabama is leading with $3,000,000 coming through their football program to lead in the Power 5 rankings for teams and programs. The future is big and it will continue to evolve around Name, Image and Likeness. People want to follow a winner.

Get ready soon it will go to places many have yet to think about. The chess player, the farmer, the teacher and more. The better one is at providing value for who they are the more the worth it is for all. The greatest advice received, be willing to grow with the times, stay relevant.