In the rapidly evolving landscape of college sports, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have emerged as a game-changer, empowering student-athletes to monetize their personal brands like never before. But with this newfound opportunity comes a new set of challenges. Justin Forsett, a former NFL running back turned successful entrepreneur, shares his exclusive insights with host Trey Holder in the upcoming episode of EssentiallySports Think Tank on how these young athletes can navigate the complexities of brand partnerships and maximize their potential.

Forsett emphasizes that athletes are inherently brands themselves, possessing unique value in their personalities, talents, and abilities. “Lean into those things,” he advises. This judicious counsel from him sets the stage for a deeper dive into the NIL landscape, where authenticity and alignment reign supreme.

Justin Forsett’s Blueprint for NIL Success Lies in Authenticity and Personal Alignment

Forsett might now be the shark-tank-stamped CEO of Hustle Clean, but the former NFL pro with over nine years of experience across seven teams to take inspiration from doesn’t sway away from helping today’s players blur the line between passion and profession. “I would say, at first, knowing that you, yourself, are a brand and knowing that you provide value in the value that you have, is your uniqueness,” states the former athlete.

“It’s your personality, your creativity, like those different talents and abilities that you have… there’s only one you; so lean into that and find brands that will help shine more light on the sides, the positive aspects of who you are.” This strategic alignment, Justin Forsett believes, is the cornerstone of a successful NIL partnership. But authenticity is equally crucial.

Reflecting on his college days in the conversation with host Trey Holder, the Pro Bowl veteran reveals, “If I did [have NIL deals], I’d only endorse things that I really, truly love and enjoy, or use on a daily basis because it’s gonna come off authentic.” A statement that resonates deeply with any industry disruptor and innovator who understands the power of having genuine ambassadors at the forefront of their brands.

As an athlete-turned-entrepreneur himself, Justin Forsett further highlights the importance of partnering with brands that align with the athletes’ personal values and interests. “I’d wanna partner with people that were like-minded and like ways where they’re passionate about some of the same things as I was passionate about,” he explains. This authenticity not only strengthens the athlete’s brand but also creates a more compelling narrative for the labels they are partnering with. 

The advent of NIL has transformed the dynamics of brand partnerships in college sports. As for Forsett, who is now on the brand side himself, he’d rather seek athletes who genuinely love and use his products—and for more reason than one.

“Now me being on the brand side, honestly, I would wanna work with people that actually, really love the brand and find use and value in what we do… This just makes for a better story, not only for the brand but also for the athlete, in influence. So I would say, keep that in mind when you’re working with these different types of brands out there… Make them up with offers; make sure it’s in line with who you are and what you stand for because that’s important.”

This symbiotic relationship, where both athlete and brand derive mutual benefit, is a testament to the promises that the evolving landscape of NIL is bringing along with itself. For brand promoters and marketing executives, this presents a unique opportunity to tap into the passion and influence of young athletes.

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But how can brands identify the right athletes to partner with? How can they ensure that these partnerships are authentic and mutually beneficial? Find that out in the upcoming episode of EssentiallySports Think Tank, where Justin Forsett delves deeper into these questions with our host, Trey Holder, also sharing his experience of how Nike tapped into people’s emotions and made them more goal-oriented.

Think Tank is a premium initiative of EssentiallySports where we bring together the finest minds who talk about strategy, leadership, change, and opportunities in the world of sports content business. Stay tuned for some serious thought leadership from our experts. This is EssentiallySports Think Tank—Where Sports Meets Smart Content.

Tune into ES Think Tank today to find more discussions on the lines of innovative brand promotions!