When it comes to NIL, proactive > reactive

The fastest 3 minutes in name, image and likeness

Author

Tariq Ahmad
February 19, 2025

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When it comes to NIL, proactive > reactive

And why this benefits student-athletes the long run

Proactive & reactive signs (Photo Credit: traqq.com)

When athletes want playing time, they work for it.

More reps. More practice time. More 1:1 coaching.

More playing time comes from more work in the proverbial trenches.

NIL is no different.

If athletes want more NIL deals, they work for it.

More content. More personal branding coaching. More testing and re-testing of posts on their social media accounts.

They don’t sit back and wait for brands to approach them with partnerships.

More deals comes from more work in the proverbial NIL trenches.

Why this works

  • Helps you stand out

    • When athletes are wanting to work with brands, those that are proactively reaching out to companies for partnerships will more likely to land said deals than athletes who expect brands to slide in their DM’s.

    • Brands also appreciate this approach from athletes, as it shows initiative and a forward-thinking mindset.

    • Also, while you may stand out in your sport, that does NOT guarantee a flood of deals (or any at all, TBH) as brands primarily look for an active social media presence with engaging content.

  • Long-term benefits

    • While an athlete is only playing sports for a few years, mastering proactiveness will help you in your post-playing days.

    • Showing you are taking initiative will carry over to the workforce, as it can allow you to advance your career in multiple ways and connect with leaders you might not have had access to previously.

  • Gets athletes out of their comfort zone

    • By doing things that make you uncomfortable, in turn, you become more comfortable doing these things.

      • Reaching out to brands, speaking to industry professionals, reviewing contracts, etc. All of these things will make athletes better.

      • Additionally, athletes will get acclimated to rejection or ghosting from brands. And just like all athletes do, they will keep trying and work harder on the next engagement.

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