NIL Edge

NIL Edge is a new interview series from NILNewsstand and Digital Sport by Hot Paper Lantern that spotlights the professionals shaping the future of college sports. From NIL directors to athletic directors, brand executives, and policy shapers, these conversations provide exclusive insights into how the industry is evolving in the NIL and revenue-sharing era.

NIL Edge is a news podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 22 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts NIL Edge, a news show with 22 episodes published.

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  NIL Edge

  NIL Edge - 022 - Lauren Campbell - FireFly Recovery

  Aug 7, 202629 min

  What does it take for a growing brand to turn athlete partnerships into content that actually performs? On this episode of NIL Edge, Sterling Randle sits down with Lauren Campbell, chief marketing officer and partner at Firefly Recovery, to discuss how the company built its NIL strategy around useful products, creative content and genuine athlete relationships. Lauren shares why Firefly evaluates engagement and storytelling before follower count, what immediately stands out when an athlete approaches the company and why the best branded content begins with a real experience rather than a staged product post. The conversation also explores: • Why niche-sport athletes can provide brands with more relevant audiences • What authenticity actually looks like in athlete content • How an AthleteCon video reached 100,000 views within hours • Why athletes should approach brands they already use and love • How smaller partnerships can prepare athletes for major opportunities • Where Lauren believes NIL could evolve next NIL Edge is presented by HPL Digital Sport in partnership with NILNewsstand . Subscribe for more conversations with the athletes, brands and college athletics leaders shaping the future of NIL.

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  NIL Edge

  NIL Edge - 021 - Grant House - House Settlement

  Jul 23, 202632 min

  Grant House’s name will forever be connected to one of the most consequential changes in college sports. The professional swimmer and former Arizona State athlete joins Sterling Randle to discuss his journey from representing fellow student-athletes on campus to becoming the named plaintiff in House v. NCAA. Grant shares how the case unfolded, the personal toll of becoming the face of the lawsuit and why he would make the same decision again. They discuss what critics misunderstand about athlete compensation, why NIL can be a form of career development and what Grant hopes people remember about the purpose behind the House settlement. The conversation also explores: • Why NIL is about more than money • What fans misunderstand about athlete compensation • How NIL can prepare athletes for life after sports • Why Grant would pursue the case all over again • How the experience changed his understanding of leadership • What he hopes the House settlement represents decades from now NIL Edge is presented by HPL Digital Sport in partnership with NIL Newsstand. Subscribe for more conversations with the athletes, brands and college athletics leaders shaping the future of NIL.

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  NIL Edge

  NIL Edge - 020 - Heather Leiferman - Great Clips

  Jul 9, 202618 min

  What does it take for a national consumer brand to build successful NIL partnerships? On this episode of The NIL Edge , Sterling Randle sits down with Heather Leiferman, Director of Communications at Great Clips, to discuss how one of the country's largest retail brands has approached NIL since entering the space in 2021. Heather shares how Great Clips evolved from treating student-athletes like traditional influencers to building fully integrated, story-driven campaigns centered on authenticity and long-term brand value. She also explains what brands often misunderstand about NIL, why authentic partnerships consistently outperform transactional deals, and what separates the student-athletes who earn opportunities from those who don't. The conversation also explores how Great Clips evaluates athletes, balances NIL alongside influencers and content creators, measures campaign success, and where Heather believes brand partnerships in college athletics are headed next.

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  NIL Edge

  NIL Edge - 019- AthleteCon Special - What College Sports Looks Like After the House Settlement

  Jun 19, 202644 min

  What does the future of college athletics look like now that the House settlement is here? In this special AthleteCon edition of NIL Edge, we sat down Will Hall, partner at Jones Walker; Joey Blake, litigation associate at Spencer Fane and a member of the legal team involved in the House settlement; and Steve Simmons, co-founder of NILENT. Hall shares how schools are navigating revenue sharing, athlete contracts and the growing legal and operational complexities that come with a new era of athlete compensation. Blake provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the House settlement, what it means for athletic departments and student-athletes, and the legal questions that still need answers. Simmons discusses the challenges athletes face beyond compensation, including financial literacy, mental health, personal branding and preparing for life after sports. In this episode, we discuss: • The biggest takeaways from AthleteCon • How schools are preparing for the post-House settlement era • Revenue sharing and the rise of athlete contracts • The legal issues that could shape the next chapter of college sports • Why athlete education is becoming a bigger priority • Mental health, financial literacy and career development • What athletic directors are focused on as the industry continues to evolve A special thank you to Sam Green and the AthleteCon team for welcoming NIL Edge to Las Vegas and giving us the opportunity to have these conversations in person with some of the brightest minds in college athletics.

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  NIL Edge

  NIL Edge Interview: - Lauren Cherry - North Texas - Director, NIL Strategy & Revenue Share Operations

  Jun 5, 202628 minS0

  <p>What does it take to prepare student-athletes for success in today's NIL environment?</p><p>In this episode of NIL Edge, we sit down with Lauren Cherry, Director of NIL Strategy & Revenue Share Operations at the University of North Texas, to discuss how athletic departments can help student-athletes build the skills needed to thrive in the modern college athletics landscape.</p><p>Lauren shares how North Texas developed its Influence Cohort, a program designed to educate athletes on personal branding, content creation, and professional development. She explains why NIL education matters more than ever, how schools can help athletes cr...

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