NIL Education Over Deal Chasing: Building Athletes for Life

The pilot episode of Babes Balls & Brands launches with host Janet Moreira tackling one of the biggest misconceptions in youth sports today. In this inaugural conversation, Moreira sits down with former Division I athlete turned NIL consultant Aisha Foy to discuss why education beats desperation every single time in the NIL landscape.

Foy's journey as founder of Major NIL Success and author of "Success is My Major" gives her a unique perspective on what actually creates lasting success for young athletes. Her approach emphasizes building authentic athletic brands over chasing quick payouts, and her track record speaks for itself. This pilot episode conversation breaks down why the current NIL landscape is failing athletes and what sports families can do differently.

Janet Moreira, Board Certified Intellectual Property attorney and sports mom, brings her dual perspective as both legal expert and parent navigating the youth sports world. As host of Babes Balls & Brands, she's positioned perfectly to dig into Foy's strategies for building sustainable success. This pilot episode sets the foundation for everything the show represents: practical, no-BS guidance for sports families serious about building champions.

NIL Success, Education-First Approach

Foy's philosophy centers on a fundamental question that stumps most athletes and parents: why chase something you don't understand? Her experience at Kentucky during the 2021 NIL rule change gave her front-row seats to the chaos that ensued when no one knew how to navigate the new landscape.

While other consultants focused on landing deals, Foy recognized that teen athletes lacked the basic knowledge to leverage opportunities effectively. Building athletic brands requires the same dedication athletes apply to their sport, but most treat it as an afterthought. The result is talented players with weak brands and minimal earning potential.

Foy's education-first model addresses this gap by teaching young athletes to approach brand building with the same intensity they bring to practice. Just as basketball skills require daily development, athletic brands need consistent attention and strategic thinking. Teen athletes who understand this principle create opportunities that extend far beyond their playing careers.

The consulting work Foy does with individual families reflects this philosophy. Rather than promising quick fixes or instant deals, she helps teen athletes identify their unique value propositions and develop authentic ways to share their stories. This foundation-building approach takes longer but creates sustainable success that survives transfers, injuries, and the end of playing careers.

Breaking the Misconception  

One of the biggest myths in youth sports today is that athletic performance directly correlates to NIL success. Foy has seen this misconception hold back countless talented young athletes who assume their stats will automatically translate to athletic brands opportunities.

The reality is more nuanced and ultimately more encouraging for teen athletes at all levels. As Foy points out, there are power five women's basketball players with weak athletic brands that most fans can't name, while mid-major athletes with strong brands command significant attention and opportunities. The difference isn't talent level - it's strategic brand development.

This insight transforms how young athletes should approach their college choices and career development. Instead of focusing solely on athletic scholarships at the highest-profile programs, teen athletes can evaluate schools based on how well they align with their brand-building goals. A player who wants to promote cooking content might thrive at a mid-major school that gives them more creative freedom than they'd have at a power five program with strict social media guidelines.

Foy's approach empowers young athletes to take control of their narrative rather than hoping their performance speaks for itself. In today's saturated sports media environment, talent alone isn't enough to break through the noise. Teen athletes need intentional strategies for showcasing their personalities, values, and interests beyond their sport.

Building Brands for the Shy and Unique  

Not every young athlete has the outgoing personality that seems tailor-made for social media success. Foy's strategies for quieter teen athletes demonstrate how authentic brand building works for all personality types, not just the loudest voices in the room.

Her three-pillar approach helps shy young athletes identify aspects of their lives they're comfortable sharing publicly. By focusing on specific interests, values, or experiences, these teen athletes can build meaningful connections with audiences without compromising their privacy or comfort levels. The key is finding authentic ways to tell their stories rather than forcing personalities that don't fit.

This personalized approach extends to young athletes with unique interests like cooking, music, or community service. Instead of trying to fit into generic athlete molds, Foy helps them leverage their genuine passions to differentiate themselves in crowded markets. A basketball player who loves cooking can create content that appeals to foodie audiences while showcasing their personality in ways that pure sports content can't achieve.

The strategy also addresses the long-term value of athletic brands beyond immediate NIL opportunities. Young athletes who develop authentic personal brands create foundations for post-playing careers in media, business, or other fields that leverage their unique combinations of athletic credibility and personal interests.

Navigating Collectives and Transfer Portal Decisions  

The rise of collectives and increased transfer portal activity have created new challenges for long-term athletic brand building. Foy's perspective on these developments reflects her education-first philosophy and offers practical guidance for teen athletes facing difficult decisions.

While collectives provide immediate financial opportunities, Foy cautions against making school choices based solely on collective offers. Young athletes who prioritize short-term payouts over long-term fit often find themselves unhappy and eventually transferring again, losing valuable time and momentum in their brand development.

The transfer portal can either help or hurt a young athlete's brand, depending on how strategically they approach the decision. Foy points to examples like Caitlin Clark, who built an incredible legacy by staying at Iowa and leading the program to unprecedented success. Conversely, she's seen highly recruited teen athletes transfer for financial reasons and lose the brand recognition they'd built at their original schools.

Her advice focuses on evaluating opportunities through the lens of long-term brand goals rather than immediate financial gains. Young athletes who understand their athletic brand strategy can make transfer decisions that enhance their overall value rather than simply chasing the biggest collective offer available.

Building Athletes for Life, Not Just College  

The pilot episode of Babes Balls & Brands demonstrates exactly what host Janet Moreira set out to achieve with her new show. Aisha Foy's approach to NIL consulting represents a fundamental shift in how sports families should think about athletic careers. Instead of treating NIL as a side hustle or bonus opportunity, her education-first model positions brand building as an essential life skill that serves young athletes long after their playing days end.

For sports parents and teen athletes serious about creating lasting success, Foy's strategies offer a roadmap that prioritizes substance over shortcuts. By treating athletic brand development with the same dedication they bring to their sport, young athletes can create opportunities that extend far beyond college athletics.

This inaugural conversation between Aisha Foy and Janet Moreira demonstrates why expert guidance matters in today's complex NIL landscape. Teen athletes and families who invest in education and strategic planning position themselves for success that transcends any single deal or opportunity.

Ready to learn more about building authentic athletic brands? Listen to this pilot episode of Babes Balls & Brands with host Janet Moreira and discover why education beats deal chasing every single time.

Follow Babes Balls & Brands and Janet Moreira:

Website: BabesBallsBrands.com
Twitter/X: BabeBallBrand
Instagram: Babes.Balls.Brands

Follow Janet Moreira:

LinkedIn: janetmoreiraInstagram: thenilattorney
Instagram: thejanetmoreira
YouTube: @thenilattorney
Caldera Law: janet-moreira
Book Free NIL Consultation: Janet Moreira

Follow Aisha Foy:

Website: MajorNILSuccess.com
LinkedIn: aisha-foy-m-a-60562588Instagram: _inspiredbyish
Book: "Success is My Major"