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Highway to NIL

Highway to NIL

Hosted by Callan G. Stein, Christopher M. Brolley, Troutman Pepper Locke

BusinessMarketing
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Episodes

37

Latest episode

Apr 2026

Language

EN

About the show

Highway to NIL analyzes the legal landscape concerning college athletics and the regulation of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights of student athletes. The podcast provides key insights into the current state of affairs, focusing on the NIL guidance and policies coming directly from the NCAA; the various enacted and amended state NIL laws; and NIL enforcement, including how the NCAA, state attorneys generals, and other regulators may investigate and punish schools for NIL violations.

Listen to episodes

37 recent
April 10, 202634 min

'Urgent National Action to Save College Sports': Trump’s NIL Playbook

In this episode of Highway to NIL, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys Cal Stein and Mike Lowe break down President Donald Trump's executive order, "Urgent National Action to Save College Sports." Cal and Mike unpack the order's call for a national NIL framework, proposed five-year eligibility caps and transfer limits, protections for women's and Olympic sports, tighter rules on tampering and "fraudulent" NIL deals, and the directive to challenge state laws that conflict with interstate college sports governance. Key Topics Include: Purpose of Trump's executive order (2:36); Trump's encouragement of Congress to act for a national solution (7:14); Improper financial activities: tortious interference, fraudulent NIL schemes, and fair market value (9:40); Further direction by Trump for regulation of student-athlete eligibility and transfers (17:45); Attorney general action regarding state NIL laws (29:07). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

February 18, 202637 min

'Desk Drawer Roundup': NIL Contract Fights, Eligibility Battles, and the CSC Participation Agreement

In this episode of Highway to NIL, Troutman Pepper Locke attorney Cal Stein is joined by colleagues Mike Lowe, Philip Nickerson, George Pla, and Derek Centola for a "desk drawer" tour through some of the most consequential recent developments in NIL and college sports. The group unpacks a wave of NIL contract disputes involving high-value athletes, the escalating legal fights over eligibility and the five-year rule, and the emerging governance battles around the College Sports Commission's (CSC) participation agreement.Key Topics Include:The rise of school-athlete NIL/revenue-sharing contracts post-House settlement (4:01)Contract disputes and tampering allegations (5:38)Why injunctive relief over NIL rights may be more important than chasing damages (9:20)The Diego Pavia JUCO litigation, the expanding plaintiff group, and how the five-year rule is being challenged under antitrust theories (12:18)Trinidad Chambliss, Puff Johnson, and contract-law challenges to eligibility limits (18:21)The CSC participation agreement and governance battles (24:08) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

January 29, 202643 min

Beyond the Deals: Student-Athlete Identity, Development, and NIL With 42U's Stephen Bienko

In this episode of Highway to NIL, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys Cal Stein and Chris Brolley are joined by 42U CEO and former Division I student-athlete Stephen Bienko to discuss how NIL is reshaping college sports from the inside out. Stephen explains how 42U helps athletes understand their identity, decision-making, and long-term goals rather than chasing one-off NIL deals. The conversation explores how Power Four and mid-major programs are building NIL infrastructures, why women's and Olympic sports may offer the greatest growth opportunity, how student-athlete expectations have evolved since the early days of NIL, and how regulatory and compliance uncertainty is affecting administrators and athletes alike.Key Topics Include:Stephen's athletic background, as well as the founding story and core mission of 42U (1:39)How 42U uses psychological assessments to focus on identity, decision-making, and long-term development, not just NIL transactions (5:40)Trends in internal NIL infrastructures (7:15)Differences in NIL approach between Power Four programs and mid-major/smaller schools (10:23)Conference- and sport-specific dynamics in NIL, and the rising commercial and NIL value of women's and Olympic sports such as volleyball and gymnastics (14:06)The evolution of student-athlete expectations from quick NIL deals to intentional brand-building, financial literacy, and career leverage (17:23)Differences in NIL engagement across gender, sport, and division level, and specifically women's volleyball as NIL growth opportunity (23:39)How shifting NCAA rules, state laws, litigation, and tools like NIL Go are impacting schools and athletes (35:17). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

November 6, 202527 min

Maximizing Revenue: The Future of College Sports Media Rights in a Post-House World

In this episode of Highway to NIL, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys Cal Stein, Chris Brolley, and George Pla look at the post-House settlement landscape, including the revenue-sharing pool that allows schools to pay athletes up to 22% of athletic revenue. They examine how those payments may impact athletic budgets and nonrevenue sports, and how schools may seek to make up any shortfalls by, among other things, maximizing their media rights revenue through incentive-based agreements and exploring private capital investments.Key Topics Include:Overview of the House settlement and payments to student-athletes (3:13);Financial impact of revenue sharing payments to student-athletes on schools (7:10);How schools are balancing budgets, including potential for private equity investment (11:33);The ACC media rights lawsuit and the need to maximize media rights revenue (16:36);Incentive-based media rights arrangements (22:30). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

August 18, 202522 min

Executive Order Breakdown: President Trump's Vision for College Sports and NIL Reform

In this episode of Highway to NIL, Troutman Pepper Locke attorney Cal Stein breaks down President Trump's "Saving College Sports" executive order. Stein highlights the order's push for new name, image, and likeness (NIL) guardrails, protection and expansion of women's and nonrevenue sports, and a crackdown on third-party pay-for-play payments. He also discusses the call for federal agencies to clarify student-athlete status, signaling possible changes ahead for college athletics governance.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 31, 202527 min

CSC Guidance Unveiled: NIL Enforcement and Implications for Collectives

In this episode of Highway to NIL, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys Cal Stein, Mike Lowe, and Brett Broczkowski delve into the latest guidance from the College Sports Commission (CSC) regarding name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. They explore the criteria set by the CSC for evaluating NIL deals, including payer association, valid business purpose, and range of compensation. The discussion highlights the implications for associated entities, particularly collectives and boosters, and the potential shift in their roles due to the new guidelines.Key topics include:Background on the CSC (2:16);Associated payer criteria for NIL deals (4:14);Valid business purpose for NIL deals (6:41);Range of compensation for NIL deals (13:20);Possible CSC enforcement activity against student-athletes (16:00);NIL deal reporting requirements: multiyear deals and deals under $600 (19:07);Range of compensation versus fair market value (23:05). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

July 8, 202533 min

The NCAA's Recent Q&A Document: Clues on What NIL Enforcement Will Look Like Post-House

In this episode of Highway to NIL, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys Cal Stein and Chris Brolley discuss the recent Q&A document released by the NCAA and conferences, focusing on the guidance providing clues for how enforcement may look under the College Sports Commission in the post-House settlement landscape. Among other topics, they examine the role of the College Sports Commission in investigating NIL rule violations, the arbitration process for contested penalties, and enforcement issues related to high school and transfer athletes. The episode also covers compliance with roster limits, the benefits cap, and scrutiny of third-party NIL deals involving associated entities.Topics include:Background on the Q&A document (1:48);Q&As on enforcement: The College Sports Commission and the neutral arbitration process (3:09);Potential enforcement activity: Timing of NIL offers and tampering (7:52);Potential enforcement activity: Compliance with roster limits (11:42);Potential enforcement activity: School payments to student-athletes and the benefits cap (16:30);Potential enforcement activity: Third-party NIL payments and "associated" entities/individuals (24:50). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

June 5, 202532 min

NIL Enforcement in a Post-House World — What Institutions Can Expect

In this episode of Highway to NIL, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys Mike Lowe, Lu Reyes, and Philip Nickerson examine the status of the House settlement. They focus on how the settlement might impact roster limits for current student-athletes and discuss the introduction of the NCAA's new name, image, and likeness (NIL) enforcement division.Specific topics include:Current state of the House settlement (2:23);Summary of the College Sports Commission's (CSC) role in NIL enforcement (4:56);The CSC's NIL enforcement focus (7:21);Differences between CSC enforcement and the NCAA infraction procedures (12:13);Preparing compliance offices for CSC investigations and enforcement (16:00);Unique approaches to challenging CSC findings and penalties in arbitration (25:43);Impact on NIL collectives (28:00). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 15, 202528 min

House Final Settlement Hearing: Key Insights and Future Implications for NIL

In this episode of Highway to NIL, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys Cal Stein and Chris Brolley discuss the recent developments in the House litigation. The episode covers the highlights and concerns raised during the final settlement hearing held by U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken on April 7.Specific topics include:Summary of the proposed settlement terms and their implications (2:24);Judge Wilken's concerns about the impact on future student-athletes (5:50);The loss of roster spots for current student-athletes (10:18);Third-party name, image, and likeness payments and state law conflicts (16:39);Impact of Title IX on the settlement (20:13);Next steps and the timeline for addressing concerns (25:21). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

February 20, 202523 min

Rescission of DOE Guidance

The Highway to NIL Podcast analyzes the legal landscape concerning college athletics and the regulation of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights of student athletes. The podcast provides key insights into the current state of affairs, focusing on the NIL guidance and policies coming directly from the NCAA; the various passed and amended state NIL laws; and NIL enforcement, including how the NCAA, state attorneys general, and other regulators may investigate and punish schools for NIL violations.In this installment, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys Cal Stein and Mike Lowe discuss the Trump administration's recent rescission of a Department of Education (DOE) guidance document issued by the outgoing Biden administration. The rescinded document addressed Title IX implications for NIL compensation for student-athletes. The episode explores the potential implications of this rescission and the need for legislative clarity in the NIL space.Specific topics include:Summary of the DOE guidance document and its rescission (3:04);The incoming DOE's criticisms of the guidance document (10:46);New DOE position on NIL as compensation vs. financial aid (13:07);What next? Replacement guidance or federal legislation? (18:01). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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