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Society & Culture

S2E15 The NIL Playbook

Coach Trav January 22, 2026

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This week on The Mental Health Playbook:

In this episode of the Mental Health Playbook, Coach Trav interviews Kylon Lewis, the head of the NIL department at WMA Sports. At just 22 years old, Kylon has made significant strides in the sports business world, particularly in the realm of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for athletes. He shares his journey from being a standout athlete in high school to pursuing a career that combines his love for sports with business acumen. Kylon emphasizes the importance of having a strong support system and how his experiences as a first-generation student-athlete have shaped his mission to help others navigate the complexities of NIL deals. Coach Trav and Kylon Lewis delve into the intricacies of endorsement deals, paid social posts, and the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) for athletes. Kylon explains the fundamental differences between endorsement deals, which foster ongoing partnerships, and paid social posts, which are more transactional and often yield lower compensation. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the commitment involved in endorsement deals, including the need for athletes to actively engage with the products they promote. The conversation also touches on the significance of budgeting and financial literacy for young athletes, highlighting the necessity of having open discussions about money management within families.

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00:00 Frederick Flip Richards
01:09 The Mental Health Playbook Theme
01:54 What Happens After The Success?
04:47 Introduction to Kylon Lewis
06:50 Kylon’s Background and Passion for Sports
11:52 Understanding NIL: Basics and Myths
15:00 The Importance of Personal Branding in NIL
16:04 How NIL Deals Work
19:12 Determining Athlete Compensation
25:12 Understanding Endorsements vs. Paid Posts
27:36 The Role of NIL in Athlete Branding
31:12 Family Involvement in NIL Decisions
34:48 09:42 The Importance of Budgeting for Athletes
37:46 Protecting Young Athletes in NIL Situations
40:26 Starting Early: When to Think About NIL
43:43 Building Your Brand the Right Way
45:53 Overcoming the Pressure of NIL Competition
48:07 WMA Sports: Supporting Athletes in NIL
55:26 Quote of the Day: Denzel Washington
56:45 Close Out & Takeaway

NIL, endorsement deals, paid social posts, athlete branding, financial literacy, budgeting, Kylon Lewis, Coach Trav, athlete marketing, sports business

 

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Coach Trav

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