NIL has reshaped the conversation in college athletics, but not in the way most families imagine. When talking with students, it is important for counselors to understand that NIL opportunities are limited to a very small group of elite prospects. For the vast majority of high school athletes, NIL will not affect their college search, and the real focus should remain on academic, athletic, and financial fit.

Opendorse sits at the center of the NIL marketplace, and their annual “NIL at 3” report offers some of the clearest insights into where the money is actually flowing. From market growth to sport-by-sport breakdowns, the data gives counselors a realistic picture of what NIL means today. Read more here.

College sports aren’t just about campus pride; they’re one of the strongest pipelines to the Olympic podium. But with new athlete payments reshaping budgets, dozens of Division I Olympic sport programs have already been cut. This post explains why these changes could impact Team USA for years to come, and why we need a new model.

College sports are changing faster than ever, and it’s leaving a lot of people—athletes, families, even school administrators—scrambling to keep up. NIL, direct athlete payments, and massive legal settlements have created new financial realities that affect every sport on campus. The problem is, not every sport is living in the same reality. Power 4 football and basketball operate in one world, while Olympic and non-revenue sports live in another. In this post, we break down why treating them the same is causing trouble—and how a “One for the Few, One for the Many” model could protect opportunities for every type of athlete.

This fall, UNC Charlotte becomes one of just a handful of universities in the country to offer a full Bachelor’s degree in Sports Analytics. It’s the first of its kind in the Southeast, and a clear sign that the future of sports will be driven by students who can combine a deep understanding of athletics with advanced skills in data science. For counselors advising student-athletes with front-office ambitions, this new program is worth paying attention to.

For high school and college athletes who dream of working in a pro sports front office, it’s one of the most common—and complicated—questions. The GM chair is one of the most visible and prestigious roles in sports, and it attracts students who want to stay close to the game they love. But the path to get there isn’t as glamorous as the job title. This article breaks down the real-world data from current GMs across the NFL, NBA, and MLB and offers clear, practical advice for students who want to follow in their footsteps.