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Leveraging NIL to Revolutionize College Athletics and Change Family Office Acquisitions

The landscape of college athletics is undergoing a seismic shift. With the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and the expansion of the transfer portal, recruiting and compensating student-athletes has become a new frontier in college sports. Coaches are no longer just strategists on the field—they’re financial architects, navigating a complex and rapidly evolving landscape where athletes can now monetize their personal brands in ways never before possible.

This financial shift, however, isn’t just benefitting athletes—it’s also creating unique opportunities for schools, alumni, small businesses, and family offices to forge new partnerships that will define the future of both college athletics and entrepreneurship. Smaller schools, in particular, now have the chance to compete with larger programs by offering not only scholarship opportunities but also financial incentives through NIL. This has opened the door for family offices to invest in small businesses, while also providing athletes with entrepreneurial opportunities that extend well beyond their athletic careers.

SuccessionMatching: Empowering Former Athletes to Become Entrepreneurs

SuccessionMatching, a platform that helps family offices acquire small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), has developed a groundbreaking model that bridges the gap between NIL Collectives, small business acquisition, and athlete entrepreneurship. Traditionally, family offices face challenges in acquiring businesses and finding qualified talent to manage them. However, SuccessionMatching is introducing a unique solution where former college athletes—once they’ve completed their playing careers—are given the opportunity to become business owners and entrepreneurs by partnering with family offices to acquire and run small businesses.

Here’s how it works: A small business owner looking to sell can connect with a family office through SuccessionMatching, which facilitates the acquisition process. Instead of hiring external managers, family offices partner with former college athletes—particularly those with strong ties to their school’s alumni network and local community—to take the helm. These athletes, equipped with the skills and drive they honed during their college careers, become entrepreneurs, managing and growing the business after their playing days are over.

The key difference here is that this model focuses on athlete entrepreneurship rather than traditional employment. Athletes are not just hired to work in a business; they’re given a stake in the ownership and operation of the business, providing them with a long-term, sustainable career after sports.

NIL Collectives: Funding Athletes’ Entrepreneurial Ventures

What makes this model even more unique is how NIL Collectives come into play. SuccessionMatching has partnered with a number of college NIL Collectives, creating a powerful ecosystem where alumni and donors can invest in local businesses and help fund athletes’ entrepreneurial ventures. These collectives typically raise money for NIL deals, supporting athletes with sponsorships, contracts, and other financial incentives. In this case, a percentage of the revenue generated from the SuccessionMatching partnership with the NIL Collective helps fund these athletes’ NIL contracts, enabling them to receive compensation while they pursue business ownership.

By channeling funds from alumni and supporters into this model, NIL Collectives offer a sustainable source of financial support for athletes who are transitioning from their college careers to the business world. This partnership provides family offices with an opportunity to invest in local businesses, while also empowering athletes to leverage their college connections, skills, and brand value to build successful business ventures after they graduate.

Alison Anderson, CEO of SuccessionMatching, highlighted the innovative nature of this program during a recent NIL conference hosted by Silverwave Media in October 2023. The response from Collectives and alumni was overwhelmingly positive, as they recognized the potential to create a lasting impact on both college sports and small businesses.

“I didn’t know what to expect going into this conference,” said Anderson. “We’ve traditionally worked with banks and accounting firms, but through our partnerships with NIL Collectives, we’ve found an ideal structure for a win-win. Alumni are eager to support their alma maters, but they’re also looking for innovative ways to do so. By investing in small businesses that provide a pathway for athletes to become entrepreneurs, we’re helping create long-term, sustainable solutions for both athletes and business owners.”

A New Model for Athlete Entrepreneurship and Small Business Acquisition

This partnership between NIL Collectives, family offices, and SuccessionMatching is creating a new paradigm for athlete entrepreneurship. Former athletes, who have the drive and discipline honed through their college sports careers, now have a direct path to business ownership and management. These athletes are not just working for a family office—they’re partnering with them, leveraging their local ties, brand value, and entrepreneurial mindset to help grow and manage businesses.

For family offices, this model provides an opportunity to invest in small businesses with the added benefit of working with driven and motivated entrepreneurs. Rather than simply hiring staff, family offices are building partnerships with athletes who are invested in the long-term success of the businesses they help run. Additionally, this model allows NIL Collectives to channel resources into local businesses that support college athletics, providing a financial ecosystem that benefits both athletes and small business owners.

Smaller colleges—often outmatched by the larger programs in terms of financial resources—can now compete by offering more than just financial aid. They can offer their athletes a real path to entrepreneurship, creating long-term career opportunities that continue after graduation. By integrating small business ownership and athlete entrepreneurship, schools and family offices can work together to create sustainable, community-driven investments that benefit both college athletes and the local economy.

Key Takeaways:

  • NIL Collectives provide a new source of financial support for athletes and small businesses, fostering a sustainable ecosystem that benefits both college athletics and local economies.
  • SuccessionMatching facilitates family offices in acquiring small businesses and partnering with former athletes to run and grow these businesses, allowing athletes to transition into entrepreneurship.
  • Family offices can create an evergreen investment strategy by acquiring cash-flowing businesses and partnering with athletes to manage and grow them, while also using a percentage of business revenues to fund athletes’ NIL contracts. This model provides a continuous stream of revenue and long-term value.

Take Action Today

For family offices, SuccessionMatching’s partnership with NIL Collectives offers a unique opportunity to invest in small businesses and support the entrepreneurial dreams of former athletes. By partnering with athletes who are transitioning from college sports to business ownership, family offices can create a lasting impact on both the local economy and the future careers of college athletes.

Interested in learning more about how NIL Collectives, small business acquisition, and athlete entrepreneurship can work together to transform your investment strategy? Contact SuccessionMatching today to discover how this innovative program can help your family office invest in the future of both college sports and small business success.

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