70 Most Impactful People in the NIL Space

By: Silver Waves Media

After months of research, our committee has put together a list of some of the most impactful figures in the NIL space. These people represent a diverse array of executives, athletes, and thought leaders who have shaped the landscape of collegiate sports and athlete endorsement. These individuals have leveraged their platforms to navigate the complexities of NIL rights, challenging traditional norms and paving the way for student-athletes to monetize their personal brands. We present the 70 Most Impactful People in the NIL Space list.

  • Adam Cook

    VP of Campus Ink Sports

  • Ahmed Awadallah

    COO YUM Brands Europe & Founder of MEP Sports Management

  • Alex Kline

    Syracuse Men’s Basketball General Manager

  • Andrew Petcash

    Founder of Profluence

  • Austin Walton

    President of NEXT Sports

  • Becca Greenwell Wathen

    Strategic Partner Manager of Meta

  • Blake Lawrence

    Co-Founder of Opendorse

  • Brandon Copeland

    Co-Founder/CEO of Athletes.org

  • Breanna Powers Kirk

    Co-Founder of Sixth Sense Consulting

  • Caitlin Campbell

    Communications Manager of Intuit TurboTax

  • Cale Johnston

    Founder/CEO of Roy

  • Carlie Tarbell

    Founder of The NIL Edge

  • Casey Schwab

    Founder/Senior Advisor of Altius Sports

  • Chase Griffin

    UCLA Bruins Quarterback

  • Christian Dawkins

    CEO & Partner of Seros

  • Chris Brown

    CEO of Student Athlete NIL

  • Courtney Altemus

    Managing Partner/Founder of ADVANCE

  • Dan Everett

    Co-Founder of Everett Sports Marketing

  • Dan Furman

    President of 502Circle

  • Dan Shell

    Senior VP of United Talent Agency

  • Daniel Poneman

    NBA / NIL Agent, Poneman & Naiditch Representation

  • Darren Heitner

    Founder of Heitner Legal

  • Dash Sperling

    Senior Manager, League Operations & Innovation of Overtime Elite

  • Debbie Spander

    Founder & CEO of Insight Sports Advisors

  • Doug Fillis

    Founder of Accelerate Sports Ventures

  • Doug Stewart

    BYU Men’s Basketball Chief of Staff

  • Drew Weatherford

    Founding Partner of Weatherford Capital

  • Ed O'Bannon

    NIL Pioneer

  • Emir Demirkiran

    Co-Founder/Managing Director of PSA PLAY SPORTS ABROAD

  • Evan Miyakawa

    CEO/Founder of EvanMiya.com CBB Analytics

  • George Langberg

    CEO/Founder of GSL Sports Group

  • Greg Kristof

    Co-Founder of Sixth Sense Consulting

  • Hunter Baddour

    Co-Founder/President of Spyre Sports Group

  • Jack Boudreau

    Co-Founder/CEO of Habits

  • Jason Belzer

    Founder of Student Athlete NIL

  • Jeffrey Kessler

    Co-Executive Chairman of Winston & Strawn

  • Jim Cavale

    Founder/Chairman of Athletes.org

  • Jimmy Sexton

    Co-Head of CAA

  • Joe Tipton

    National Basketball Reporter of On3 Sports

  • Kevin Barefoot

    Senior VP of Business Development of Teamworks

  • Kurt Roth

    Founder of 505 Sports Venture Foundation

  • Luke Fedlam

    Managing Partner/Founder of ADVANCE

  • Maddie Salamone

    Attorney & Athlete Advocate, VP of the College Football Players Association

  • Marc Isenberg

    Wealth Management of Morgan Stanley

  • Mario Mercurio

    Associate AD for Basketball Administration at Xavier University

  • Matthew Verden

    Director of Grassroots Scouting and Intelligence of the Detroit Pistons

  • Michael Haddix Jr.

    CEO of Scout

  • Michael McCann

    Law Professor

  • Michael Raymond

    Founder of Raymond Representation

  • Mike Brown

    President of Hoop Culture

  • Mike Naiditch

    NBA / NIL Agent, Poneman & Naiditch Representation

  • Mitch Gilfillan

    Quinn Johnston Law Firm

  • Mit Winter

    Kennyhertz Perry Law

  • Morgan Belvedere

    Director, Global Talent ID and Strategy of WWE

  • Nicholas Lord

    Co-Founder/CEO of NOCAP Sports

  • Nick Garner

    Assistant AD of Washington State University

  • Nick Marquez

    Sports Creator & Emerging Athlete Lead of Meta

  • Oliver Luck

    Chairman of Altius Sports

  • Olivia Nuss

    Head of Legal and Business Affairs of SANIL

  • Pete Nakos

    College Sports Business Reporter of On3 Sports

  • Rachel Baker

    Duke MBB General Manager

  • Rachel Everett

    Co-Founder of Everett Sports Marketing

  • Rob Sine

    CEO of Blueprint Sports

  • Russell White

    President of The Collective Association

  • Sean Kelly

    Director/General Manager for INFLCR of Teamworks

  • Seth Berger

    Co-Founder of AND1

  • Shannon Terry

    Founder/CEO of On3

  • Solly Fulp

    Executive VP of LEARFIELD

  • Sonu Singh

    Co-Chairman of Student Athlete NIL

  • Thomas Thomas Jr.

    CEO of basepath

  • Trilly Donovan

    College Basketball Insider, Burner Ball

  • Tyrre Burks

    CEO/Founder of Player’s Health

  • Walker Jones

    Ole Miss Collective

  • Wesley Haynes

    CEO of The Brandr Group

  • Yuval Shaham

    Founder/CEO of Uvision Sports