Business Plan

FULL NIL BUSINESS PLAN

1. Executive Summary

NILEMS is an Ohio-based Name, Image & Likeness (NIL) agency designed to empower student-athletes with branding, marketing, education, and income-generating opportunities. Our mission is to bridge the gap between athletes, brands, and communities by offering compliant, transparent, and strategic NIL representation.

NILEMS provides:

• Athlete branding & marketing strategy

• Digital content creation

• Social media management

• Sponsorship negotiations

• Merchandising programs

• Financial literacy & educational workshops

• Compliance support in line with Ohio NIL laws and NCAA rules

Our goal is to become one of Ohio’s premier NIL agencies, forming strong relationships with universities, businesses, donors, and community partners.

2. Company Overview

Business Structure

• Type: LLC based in Ohio

• Founder/Owner: [Insert Name]

• Location: [City, Ohio]

• Services: Full NIL representation, marketing, brand development, sponsorship management

Vision Statement

To elevate student-athletes by providing professional-level representation and educational support that helps them monetize their personal brand responsibly and effectively.

Mission Statement

To create meaningful NIL opportunities that improve athletes’ financial futures, promote education, and strengthen community engagement.

3. Market Analysis

Industry Overview

• NIL rights became legal in 2021, creating a rapidly growing market.

• Ohio has major sports ecosystems: Ohio State, Cincinnati, Akron, Kent State, Toledo, Youngstown State, Dayton.

• Local businesses are heavily supportive of sports, making NIL ideal for local campaigns.

Target Market

1. Student-Athletes:

   • College athletes across all sports (D1, D2, D3, NAIA).

   • High-potential high school athletes (depending on Ohio regulations).

2. Businesses:

   • Small and medium businesses wanting athlete promo deals

   • Car dealerships, restaurants, apparel brands, gyms, barbershops, sports stores

   • Corporate sponsors

3. Universities & Collectives:

   • Partnerships for workshops, education, and athlete development

Market Needs

• Trusted and educated NIL agency

• Legitimate opportunities (not predatory)

• Structured brand development

• Clear compliance guidance

• Social media growth strategies

4. Services Offered

1. NIL Representation

• Contract negotiation

• Sponsorship sourcing

• Marketing strategies

• Brand-building campaigns

2. Social Media & Content

• Photoshoots, highlight edits

• Social media growth plans

• Monthly content calendars

3. Brand Development

• Logo creation

• Merch lines (hoodies, shirts, hats, collectibles)

• Personal websites

4. NIL Education

Workshops covering:

• Financial literacy

• Taxes and accounting

• Branding

• Contract awareness

• NCAA & Ohio compliance

5. Compliance Support

• Maintaining eligibility

• Reviewing contracts

• Working with school compliance offices

6. Community & Charity Partnerships

• Youth camps

• Fundraisers

• Nonprofit collaborations

5. Competitive Analysis

Strengths

• Localized to Ohio (strong sports culture)

• Offers end-to-end services

• Media & content creation capability

• Educational support focus

• Transparent and compliant

Weaknesses

• New brand in a competitive space

• Requires relationship building

Opportunities

• Growing NIL demand

• Athletes needing branding support

• Untapped smaller Ohio schools

• High school NIL opportunities

Threats

• Rule changes

• Big national NIL agencies

• University collectives taking market share

6. Marketing Strategy

Brand Positioning

NILEMS is positioned as a trusted, athlete-first NIL partner combining media expertise with Ohio’s sports culture.

Marketing Channels

• Instagram, TikTok, YouTube

• Local business partnerships

• Sports podcasts

• University speaking engagements

• Athlete referral programs

Launch Strategy

1. Launch official website

2. Release intro video

3. Sign first 5—10 athletes

4. Announce partnerships with local businesses

5. Produce high-quality content to showcase success stories

Sales Strategy

• Direct outreach to athletes

• Presentations to schools and athletic departments

• Collaborate with coaches, trainers, and 7v7 programs

• Offer free initial branding consultations

7. Operations Plan

Daily Operations

• Content creation

• Negotiating contracts

• Monitoring compliance

• Managing athlete accounts

• Building business partnerships

Team Structure

• NIL Agent / Athlete Manager

• Media & Creative Director

• Social Media Manager

• Compliance Consultant

• Accountant/Financial Advisor

• Business Development Lead

8. Legal & Compliance

Ohio NIL Rules Require:

• No school may pay athletes directly

• Athletes must disclose deals to their compliance office

• No pay-for-play

• No contracts tied to enrollment decisions

• Agency must operate ethically and transparently

Business Requirements

• Register Ohio LLC

• Obtain EIN

• Draft athlete-agent contracts

• Draft partnership/sponsorship templates

• Maintain liability insurance

9. Financial Plan

Revenue Streams

• Percentage of NIL deals (typically 10—20%)

• Merch sales

• Sponsorship commissions

• Educational workshop fees

• Digital content services

• Brand consulting for businesses

Startup Costs (Estimated)

• Legal setup: $500—$1,500

• Website: $300—$1,200

• Logo & branding: $0—$500 (you are creating your own)

• Equipment (camera, lighting): $1,500—$3,000

• Marketing: $500—$3,000

• Insurance: $400—$800/year

Year 1 Revenue Goal

$150,000—$300,000
Through athlete signings, sponsorship deals, and merchandise collaborations.

10. Growth Strategy

Year 1

• Establish brand

• Sign 10—25 athletes

• Build strong Ohio business relationships

Year 2

• Expand to additional universities

• Launch NIL camps & training

• Add merchandising division

Year 3

• Develop internal athlete media studio

• Represent 50—100 athletes

• Expand beyond Ohio