Skip to content

90-Day Action Plan & Operations Playbook

Agency: N.I.L.E.M.S. (Name, Image, Likeness, Executive, Marketing, & Strategy) Legal Entity: Echelon Media Sports LLC (DBA) Owner: Roechard D. Lewis | Partner: Russell Johnson (IT/Graphics) State: Ohio Version: 1.0.0 Date: 2026-02-18


  1. 90-Day Launch Action Plan
  2. Go-To-Market Strategy
  3. Working Templates List
  4. KPIs & Metrics Dashboard Spec
  5. Risk Assessment
  6. Tech MVP Spec

Current State: Business plan drafted. Operating documents drafted. Partnership agreement (Lewis/Johnson) drafted. Compliance report template drafted. No athletes signed. No brand deals closed. No tech infrastructure deployed.

Target End State (Day 90): Legal formation complete. Registered as athlete agent in Ohio. 3-5 athletes signed. 1-2 brand deals in pipeline. Operations portal live. Financial infrastructure operational.


Section titled “Phase 1: Legal Foundation & Infrastructure (Weeks 1-3)”
DayTaskOwnerDeliverableStatus
1File Articles of Organization with Ohio Secretary of StateLewisFiled LLC certificate[ ]
1Apply for EIN with IRS (online, instant)LewisEIN confirmation letter[ ]
2Register as Athlete Agent with Ohio Athletic CommissionLewisRegistration number[ ]
2Obtain Ohio Business License (City/County level)LewisBusiness license[ ]
3Open business bank account (separate from personal)LewisBank account details[ ]
3Set up QuickBooks or Wave for bookkeepingJohnsonAccounting system live[ ]
4Purchase general liability insurance ($1M minimum)LewisInsurance certificate[ ]
4Purchase E&O (Errors & Omissions) insuranceLewisE&O policy[ ]
5Finalize and sign HOF Network Agreement (Lewis/Johnson)BothSigned agreement[ ]
5Set up business email (nilems.com domain)JohnsonEmail operational[ ]

Critical Legal Note: Ohio R.C. Chapter 4771 requires agent registration BEFORE signing any athlete. Do not contact athletes in a representation capacity until registration is confirmed.

DayTaskOwnerDeliverable
8Have attorney review Athlete Representation AgreementLewisAttorney-approved contract
8Have attorney review Brand Deal/Sponsorship Contract templateLewisAttorney-approved template
9Finalize NIL Deal Compliance Report formLewisFinal compliance form
9Create athlete onboarding packet (welcome letter, FAQ, disclosure forms)JohnsonOnboarding packet
10Set up trust account structure (anticipating HB 184)LewisTrust account ready
10Register DBA “NILEMS” with county recorderLewisDBA filing receipt
11Prepare Ohio Athletic Commission approved contract formsLewisApproved forms
12Create school notification letter template (72-hour rule)LewisNotification template
DayTaskOwnerDeliverable
15Domain registered, hosting configured (Cloudflare Pages)Johnsonnilems.com live
15Business email with professional signaturesJohnsonEmail ready
16Social media accounts created (Instagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn)JohnsonAccounts live
16Brand kit finalized (logo variations, color palette, fonts)JohnsonBrand guidelines PDF
17Operations portal v1 deployed (Astro + Cloudflare Pages)CMTGPortal accessible
17Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 set upJohnsonProductivity suite ready
18CRM/database initialized for athlete and deal trackingJohnsonCRM operational
19Content templates created (social posts, pitch decks)JohnsonTemplate library

Phase 2: Market Entry & First Athletes (Weeks 4-7)

Section titled “Phase 2: Market Entry & First Athletes (Weeks 4-7)”

Week 4: Market Research & Pipeline Building

Section titled “Week 4: Market Research & Pipeline Building”
TaskOwnerDetails
Map every Ohio college compliance office contactLewisBuild spreadsheet: school, compliance officer name, email, phone
Research top 50 Ohio athletes by social followingJohnsonInstagram, TikTok followers; engagement rates
Identify 20 local businesses open to athlete partnershipsLewisCar dealerships, restaurants, gyms, apparel shops
Create NILEMS intro video (60 seconds)JohnsonFor social media and outreach
Develop athlete pitch deck (PDF + video version)Both”Why sign with NILEMS” presentation
TaskOwnerDetails
Send intro emails to 7 target school compliance officesLewisIntroduce agency, request meeting
Begin DM outreach to top 20 target athletesLewisPersonalized messages, not mass spam
Post first NILEMS content on all social channelsJohnsonBrand announcement, mission statement
Attend 1-2 local sporting events for networkingLewisOhio State, Cincinnati, Akron games
Connect with 5 local business owners about NIL partnershipsLewisLunch meetings, calls
TaskOwnerDetails
Follow up on all athlete outreach (personalized)LewisSecond touch, offer free consultation
Conduct 3-5 free branding consultationsLewisShow value before signing
Host or attend 1 NIL education sessionLewisUniversity, community center, or virtual
Sign first 1-2 athletesLewisExecute Athlete Representation Agreement
Notify schools within 72 hours of signingLewisOhio law compliance
TaskOwnerDetails
Produce athlete intro content (photos, video, social)JohnsonFirst signed athletes get premium content
Create case study from first signing (anonymized if needed)BothSocial proof for future athletes
Begin posting athlete-focused content weeklyJohnsonHighlight reels, branding tips
Continue outreach to reach 5 total athletes signedLewisMaintain pipeline

Phase 3: Revenue Generation & Brand Deals (Weeks 8-12)

Section titled “Phase 3: Revenue Generation & Brand Deals (Weeks 8-12)”
TaskOwnerDetails
Create brand partnership pitch deckBothFor businesses: ROI of athlete partnerships
Approach 10 local businesses with specific athlete proposalsLewisMatch athletes to brands by sport/audience
Draft first 2-3 brand deal proposalsLewisUse Brand Deal template
Submit compliance reports to schools for any pending dealsLewis72-hour notification rule
Launch NILEMS merch line (basic: hoodies, tees)JohnsonLow MOQ via print-on-demand
TaskOwnerDetails
Close first 1-2 brand dealsLewisTarget $1,000-$5,000 per deal
Execute all compliance paperworkLewisCompliance report to school, contracts signed
Collect and distribute first revenueLewisPay athletes, pay Johnson per agreement
Document deal process as repeatable playbookBothSOP for future deals
Scale outreach to second tier of schools (Kent State, Toledo, YSU)LewisExpand beyond initial targets
TaskOwnerDetails
Audit all financials (revenue, expenses, commissions)LewisQuickBooks report
Review athlete satisfaction (informal check-ins)LewisAre athletes getting value?
Assess pipeline: athletes in process, deals in negotiationBothWhere is the funnel weak?
Update business plan with real dataBothReplace projections with actuals
Set Quarter 2 goalsBothAthletes, deals, revenue targets
Produce 90-day progress reportBothFor internal review and investor readiness

MilestoneTargetMinimum Viable
LLC legally formedWeek 1Week 2
Ohio agent registrationWeek 1Week 3
Website liveWeek 3Week 4
Operations portal liveWeek 3Week 5
First athlete signedWeek 6Week 8
Total athletes signed53
First brand deal closedWeek 10Week 12
Total brand deals31
Revenue generated$10,000+$2,000+
School relationships53
Business relationships105

2.1 Athlete Acquisition: First 10 Athletes

Section titled “2.1 Athlete Acquisition: First 10 Athletes”
  • Ohio college athletes (D1 priority, then D2/D3/NAIA)
  • Social media following: 1,000+ (proves existing audience)
  • Sports with high local engagement: football, basketball, volleyball, track
  • Athletes already posting personal brand content (signals motivation)
  • Preference for athletes in Year 2-3 (enough time to build value before graduation)
SchoolCityConferenceWhy
Ohio StateColumbusBig TenLargest athlete base, highest brand value
CincinnatiCincinnatiBig 12Major program, large metro market
AkronAkronMACStrong local business base, underserved
SchoolCityConferenceWhy
Kent StateKentMACProximity to Akron market
ToledoToledoMACNorthwestern Ohio market
Youngstown StateYoungstownMVC/FCSUnderserved, passionate sports community
DaytonDaytonA-10Basketball-strong market

Acquisition Channels (Ranked by Effectiveness)

Section titled “Acquisition Channels (Ranked by Effectiveness)”

1. Direct Athlete Outreach (Primary Channel)

  • Identify athletes via Instagram/TikTok who are already posting brand-adjacent content
  • Send personalized DMs referencing their specific content (“I saw your post about [X], you’re already doing the work — we can help you monetize it”)
  • Offer a free 30-minute branding consultation (no commitment)
  • Conversion target: 20 DMs -> 5 consultations -> 2 signings

2. Compliance Office Referrals (High-Trust Channel)

  • Introduce NILEMS to school compliance officers as a compliant, education-first agency
  • Position as a resource: “We make your job easier by handling compliance paperwork”
  • Ask to be listed on the school’s approved NIL resource list
  • Provide compliance officers with the NILEMS NIL Deal Compliance Report form proactively

3. Coach & Trainer Network (Warm Intro Channel)

  • Connect with strength coaches, position coaches, and athletic trainers
  • They know which athletes are motivated and marketable
  • Offer to run a free NIL education session for their athletes
  • Never ask coaches to “recruit” for you (NCAA optics)

4. Athlete Referrals (Post-First-Signing Channel)

  • After signing first 3 athletes, offer a referral incentive: if a signed athlete refers another athlete who signs, the referrer gets a bonus content package (photoshoot, highlight reel)
  • Athletes trust other athletes more than agents

5. Social Media & Content (Long-Term Brand Channel)

  • Post weekly content: NIL tips, Ohio sports highlights, athlete success stories
  • Run a “NIL 101” content series on TikTok/Instagram Reels
  • Tag target athletes in relevant content (non-intrusive)
  • This builds inbound interest over time

6. NIL Education Events (Community Trust Channel)

  • Host free NIL workshops at community centers, barbershops, or campus spaces
  • Topics: “What is NIL?”, “How to build your brand”, “Ohio NIL rules explained”
  • Collect contact info from attendees (athletes and parents)
  • Low cost, high trust signal
Awareness (Social, Events, DMs)
|
v
Free Consultation (30 min, no commitment)
|
v
Brand Audit (Show athlete their current value + opportunity)
|
v
Proposal (Specific plan: "Here's what we'd do in 90 days")
|
v
Sign Representation Agreement
|
v
Onboard (Content creation, brand kit, compliance filing)

  • Ohio-based small/medium businesses
  • Already advertising locally (billboards, radio, local TV)
  • Customer base overlaps with sports fans (18-35 demographic)
  • Budget: $1,000-$10,000 per deal (accessible entry point)
  • Decision-maker is the owner (short sales cycle)
CategoryWhyExample Deal
Car DealershipsHeavy local advertising, love sports tie-insAthlete appears at weekend sale event, 3 social posts
Restaurants/BarsGame day traffic, athlete appearances drive foot trafficAthlete hosts “watch party” at restaurant, social promo
Gyms/FitnessNatural athlete alignment, supplement/apparel tie-insAthlete posts workout content wearing gym brand
BarbershopsCommunity hubs, viral social content potentialAthlete gets haircut on camera, tags shop
Local Apparel BrandsReady for athlete endorsement modelAthlete models clothing line, social posts
Sports Training FacilitiesDirect athlete overlapAthlete runs a camp or clinic at the facility
Real Estate AgentsHigh-value, love visibilityAthlete appearance at open house, social promo
Step 1: Identify Business (local, advertising budget, sports-adjacent)
|
Step 2: Research Their Current Marketing (what are they already doing?)
|
Step 3: Craft Athlete-Specific Proposal
- Which athlete matches their brand?
- What deliverables? (posts, appearances, content)
- What's the ROI story? (reach, engagement, foot traffic)
|
Step 4: Pitch Meeting (in-person preferred, 20 minutes)
- Lead with their business goals, not your athlete roster
- Show athlete social stats and audience demographics
- Present 2-3 deal structure options (different price points)
|
Step 5: Close & Execute
- Sign Brand Deal Contract
- Submit Compliance Report to school
- Execute deliverables within agreed timeline
|
Step 6: Report & Upsell
- Send brand a post-deal report (impressions, engagement, any foot traffic data)
- Propose next deal or ongoing partnership
Deal TypeAthlete TierSuggested PriceNILEMS Commission (15%)
3 social posts1K-5K followers$500-$1,500$75-$225
Appearance + social5K-15K followers$1,500-$5,000$225-$750
Content campaign (1 month)15K+ followers$3,000-$10,000$450-$1,500
Camp/clinic hostingAny$2,000-$5,000$300-$750
Merchandise collab5K+ followers$1,000-$3,000 + royalty$150-$450 + royalty share

Note: Price low for the first 3-5 deals to build case studies and testimonials. The goal is not maximum revenue on deal one; it is proof of concept.


ChannelPurposeFrequencyOwner
InstagramAthlete showcases, brand content, agency credibility4-5 posts/weekJohnson
TikTokNIL education, behind-the-scenes, viral content3-4 videos/weekJohnson
LinkedInBusiness-to-business outreach, credibility with schools2-3 posts/weekLewis
X (Twitter)Ohio sports community engagement, real-time commentaryDailyBoth
Email NewsletterMonthly updates to athletes, brands, and schoolsMonthlyLewis
YouTubeLong-form content: workshops, athlete features, tutorials2 videos/monthJohnson
In-Person EventsNIL workshops, game day networking, business meetings2-4/monthLewis
  1. NIL Education (40%): Rules explained, financial tips, branding advice
  2. Athlete Spotlights (30%): Highlight signed athletes, their stories, their brand growth
  3. Industry News (15%): Ohio NIL updates, NCAA changes, deal announcements
  4. Agency Behind-the-Scenes (15%): Day-in-the-life, deal processes, team culture

2.4 Partnership Development with Ohio Schools

Section titled “2.4 Partnership Development with Ohio Schools”

Approach (Compliance-First, Not Sales-First)

Section titled “Approach (Compliance-First, Not Sales-First)”

Schools are protective of their athletes. The fastest way to get blocked is to approach like a salesperson. Instead:

  1. Lead with compliance: “We handle the paperwork so your compliance office doesn’t have to chase athletes”
  2. Offer education: “We’ll run a free NIL workshop for your athletes — no strings”
  3. Be transparent: “Here’s our contract template, our fee structure, our compliance report form”
  4. Respect the chain: Always go through compliance office first, never directly to athletes through school channels
TierRelationship LevelWhat It Looks Like
1 - ListedOn school’s approved NIL resource listCompliance office knows you, will confirm to athletes you’re legitimate
2 - ActiveRegular communication with complianceYou get referrals, can attend athlete orientation sessions
3 - PartnerFormal workshop/education agreementYou run quarterly NIL sessions, co-branded with school

Realistic Year 1 Target: 3-5 schools at Tier 1, 1-2 schools at Tier 2.


Every template below is something the agency needs to operate. Templates marked [HAVE] already exist in the document library. Templates marked [NEED] must be created.

#TemplateStatusPriorityNotes
L1Articles of Organization (Ohio LLC)[HAVE]CompleteIn Operating Documents
L2Operating Agreement (LLC)[HAVE]CompleteIn Operating Documents
L3Athlete Representation Agreement[HAVE]CriticalNeeds attorney review
L4Brand Deal / Sponsorship Contract[HAVE]CriticalNeeds attorney review
L5HOF Network Agreement (Lewis/Johnson)[HAVE]CompleteReady to sign
L6Privacy Policy[HAVE]HighIn Operating Documents, needs detail
L7Code of Ethics[HAVE]HighIn Operating Documents
L8NIL Agency Compliance Statement[HAVE]HighIn Operating Documents
L9Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)[NEED]HighFor brand deal negotiations
L10Independent Contractor Agreement[NEED]MediumFor freelance photographers, videographers
L11Non-Compete / Non-Solicitation Clause[NEED]MediumFor staff and contractors
L12Liability Waiver (Events/Camps)[NEED]MediumFor any in-person events
L13Parental/Guardian Consent Form[NEED]HighFor athletes under 18
L14Termination Notice Template[NEED]MediumStandard 30-day notice per contract
L15Power of Attorney (Limited)[NEED]LowFor signing on athlete’s behalf
#TemplateStatusPriorityNotes
O1Athlete Onboarding Checklist[NEED]CriticalStep-by-step from signing to first deal
O2Brand Deal Pipeline Tracker[NEED]CriticalTrack deals from prospect to close
O3Athlete Profile / Brand Audit Template[NEED]CriticalSocial stats, audience, brand strengths
O4Deal Execution Checklist[NEED]HighFrom contract signed to deliverables complete
O5School Notification Letter (72-hour)[NEED]CriticalOhio law requires notification within 72 hours
O6Quarterly Business Review Template[NEED]MediumInternal review of pipeline, revenue, goals
O7Meeting Notes Template[NEED]LowStandardized meeting documentation
O8Athlete Check-In Template[NEED]MediumMonthly satisfaction/progress check
O9Vendor/Contractor Directory[NEED]MediumPhotographers, videographers, designers, printers
O10Event Planning Checklist[NEED]MediumFor workshops, camps, appearances
#TemplateStatusPriorityNotes
M1Media Kit (Agency Overview)[HAVE]HighOutline exists, needs full design
M2Athlete Pitch Deck (for outreach)[NEED]Critical”Why sign with NILEMS” presentation
M3Brand Partnership Pitch Deck[NEED]Critical”Why partner with our athletes” for businesses
M4Social Media Content Calendar[NEED]HighWeekly/monthly planning template
M5Athlete Content Brief[NEED]HighInstructions for each deliverable
M6Post-Deal Report (for brands)[NEED]HighImpressions, engagement, ROI summary
M7Press Release Template[NEED]MediumFor major signings and partnerships
M8Email Outreach Templates (Athletes)[NEED]HighCold, follow-up, consultation invite
M9Email Outreach Templates (Brands)[NEED]HighCold, follow-up, proposal
M10Case Study Template[NEED]MediumDocument successful deals for social proof
#TemplateStatusPriorityNotes
F1Invoice Template (to brands)[NEED]CriticalProfessional invoice for brand payments
F2Athlete Payment Statement[NEED]CriticalShow athlete their earnings and deductions
F3Commission Tracking Spreadsheet[NEED]CriticalTrack NILEMS cut, Johnson split, athlete payment
F4Revenue/Expense Monthly Report[NEED]HighP&L summary
F5Deal Valuation Calculator[NEED]MediumEstimate deal value based on athlete metrics
F6Athlete 1099 Tracking Sheet[NEED]HighRequired for tax reporting
F7Startup Expense Tracker[NEED]HighTrack initial investment and costs
F8Trust Account Ledger[NEED]MediumAnticipating HB 184 trust account requirement
#TemplateStatusPriorityNotes
C1NIL Deal Compliance Report[HAVE]CompleteSubmit to school before executing deal
C2Ohio Athletic Commission Registration Checklist[NEED]CriticalStep-by-step registration process
C3Annual Compliance Audit Checklist[NEED]MediumSelf-audit of all deals and contracts
C4Athlete Eligibility Verification Form[NEED]HighVerify athlete is eligible before signing
C5Deal Disclosure Log[NEED]HighMaster log of all deals reported to schools
C6NCAA/OHSAA Rules Quick Reference[NEED]HighOne-pager of current rules
C7Compliance Calendar[NEED]MediumKey dates: registration renewals, reporting
C8Data Retention Policy[NEED]MediumHow long to keep records, destruction schedule
PriorityCountAction
Critical (need before Day 1 operations)11Create in Weeks 1-3
High (need within first 30 days)16Create in Weeks 3-6
Medium (need within first 90 days)13Create in Weeks 6-12
Low (can wait for post-90-day)2Quarter 2
Already Have10Review and finalize

The NILEMS Executive Dashboard should provide a single-screen view of agency health across five categories. Built into the operations portal as a live page.


MetricDefinitionTarget (Year 1)Frequency
Total Athletes SignedActive representation agreements10-25Real-time
Athletes in PipelineIn conversation but not signed2x signed countWeekly
Athlete Churn RateAthletes who terminated / total signed< 10%Quarterly
Avg Social Following (Signed Athletes)Mean follower count across platforms5,000+Monthly
Avg Engagement RateMean engagement across signed athletes> 3%Monthly
Athletes with Active DealsAthletes who have at least 1 deal in progress> 50% of rosterMonthly
Athlete Satisfaction ScoreSimple 1-5 rating from monthly check-ins> 4.0Monthly
Schools RepresentedUnique schools with signed athletes3-5Quarterly
MetricDefinitionTarget (Year 1)Frequency
Total Deals ClosedContracts fully executed20-50Real-time
Deals in PipelineProposals sent, in negotiation3x closed dealsWeekly
Avg Deal ValueTotal deal revenue / number of deals$2,000-$5,000Monthly
Deal Close RateDeals closed / deals proposed> 30%Monthly
Avg Time to CloseDays from first contact to signed deal< 21 daysMonthly
Deals per AthleteAverage deals closed per athlete2-4/yearQuarterly
Repeat Brand RateBrands that do 2+ deals> 25%Quarterly
Deal Type DistributionBreakdown by type (social, appearance, merch, etc.)Track onlyMonthly
MetricDefinitionTarget (Year 1)Frequency
Gross RevenueTotal deal value across all deals$150K-$300KReal-time
Agency Commission RevenueNILEMS cut (10-20% of gross)$15K-$60KReal-time
Revenue per AthleteGross revenue / signed athletes$10K-$15KQuarterly
Monthly Recurring RevenueFrom retainer or ongoing dealsTrack (goal: establish)Monthly
Merch RevenueRevenue from merchandisingTrack (secondary)Monthly
Accounts ReceivablePayments owed but not yet received< 30 days outstandingWeekly
Operating ExpensesMonthly costs (insurance, tools, travel, etc.)< $3,000/monthMonthly
Net Profit Margin(Commission Revenue - Expenses) / Commission Revenue> 40%Monthly
MetricDefinitionTargetFrequency
Compliance Reports FiledReports submitted to school compliance offices100% of dealsPer deal
72-Hour Notification RateSchool notifications sent within 72 hours of signing100%Per signing
Contract Audit StatusPercentage of contracts reviewed by attorney100% for first yearQuarterly
Agent Registration StatusOhio Athletic Commission registration currentActiveAnnually
Open Compliance IssuesUnresolved compliance flags0Real-time
Data Retention ComplianceRecords maintained per retention policy100%Quarterly
MetricDefinitionTarget (Year 1)Frequency
NILEMS Instagram FollowersAgency account follower count2,000+Weekly
NILEMS TikTok FollowersAgency account follower count5,000+Weekly
Website VisitorsMonthly unique visitors500+Monthly
Inbound Athlete InquiriesAthletes who reach out to NILEMS (not outbound)5+/month by Month 6Monthly
Inbound Brand InquiriesBrands who reach out to NILEMS2+/month by Month 6Monthly
Content Pieces PublishedTotal posts/videos across all platforms20+/weekWeekly
Email Open RateNewsletter/outreach open rate> 30%Per send
Event AttendeesPeople at NILEMS workshops/events15+ per eventPer event
+----------------------------------------------------------+
| NILEMS EXECUTIVE DASHBOARD |
+----------------------------------------------------------+
| [Date Range Selector] [Refresh] [Export PDF] |
+----------------------------------------------------------+
| |
| SUMMARY CARDS (top row) |
| +----------+ +----------+ +----------+ +----------+ |
| | Athletes | | Active | | Revenue | | Compliance| |
| | Signed | | Deals | | (MTD) | | Score | |
| | 12 | | 8 | | $14,200 | | 100% | |
| +----------+ +----------+ +----------+ +----------+ |
| |
| LEFT COLUMN RIGHT COLUMN |
| +------------------------+ +------------------------+ |
| | Deal Pipeline | | Revenue Chart | |
| | (Kanban: Prospect > | | (Monthly bar chart) | |
| | Proposed > Negotiating | | | |
| | > Closed > Complete) | | | |
| +------------------------+ +------------------------+ |
| +------------------------+ +------------------------+ |
| | Athlete Roster | | Upcoming Deadlines | |
| | (Name, School, Deals, | | (Compliance filings, | |
| | Revenue, Status) | | contract renewals, | |
| | | | deal deliverables) | |
| +------------------------+ +------------------------+ |
| |
+----------------------------------------------------------+
Data PointSourceUpdate Method
Athlete infoCRM/DatabaseManual entry at signing
Deal pipelineCRM/DatabaseManual entry per deal stage
RevenueQuickBooks/Accounting + CRMSync on payment
Social metricsInstagram/TikTok APIs or manualWeekly manual pull (MVP)
ComplianceCompliance log in CRMPer-deal entry
MarketingPlatform analyticsMonthly manual pull (MVP)

Risk 1: Operating Without Proper Agent Registration

Section titled “Risk 1: Operating Without Proper Agent Registration”

Severity: CRITICAL Likelihood: Medium (if not addressed immediately) Impact: Criminal penalties under Ohio R.C. 4771, void contracts, lawsuits, permanent reputation damage

Mitigation:

  • Register with Ohio Athletic Commission BEFORE any athlete contact in a representation capacity
  • Maintain registration renewal calendar (do not let it lapse)
  • Keep registration certificate in a visible, auditable location
  • Do not sign athletes or negotiate deals until registration is confirmed in writing

Severity: HIGH Likelihood: Medium Impact: Athletes lose eligibility, agency gets blacklisted by schools, potential lawsuits from athletes

Mitigation:

  • File compliance reports for EVERY deal, no exceptions
  • Send school notifications within 72 hours of signing (set calendar reminders)
  • Maintain a compliance checklist that gets signed off before any deal executes
  • Build relationships with compliance officers so you can ask questions before acting
  • Never structure a deal as pay-for-play (tied to athletic performance or enrollment)
  • Subscribe to NCAA NIL rule updates

Severity: HIGH Likelihood: High Impact: Cannot pay expenses, forced to take bad deals, business failure

Mitigation:

  • Keep startup costs under $8,000 (per business plan estimates)
  • Maintain 3-month operating expense reserve before launching
  • Set payment terms with brands at Net-15 or Net-30 (not Net-60)
  • Invoice immediately upon deal completion
  • Track accounts receivable weekly; follow up aggressively on late payments
  • Lewis and Johnson should not take salary until commission revenue covers expenses
  • Consider a small business line of credit as backup ($10K-$25K)

Severity: HIGH Likelihood: Medium Impact: No inventory to sell to brands, no revenue, no proof of concept

Mitigation:

  • Start with athletes who are already creating content (they want help, not convincing)
  • Offer free branding consultations to demonstrate value before asking for commitment
  • Target mid-tier athletes (1K-10K followers) who are underserved by larger agencies
  • Focus on MAC schools (Akron, Kent State, Toledo) where competition from national agencies is lower
  • Use education events to build trust and generate leads organically
  • Set a fallback: if zero athletes signed by Week 8, pivot strategy (offer free first deal, reduce commission to 10%)

Severity: HIGH Likelihood: Medium Impact: Athletes signed but no deals, revenue stalls, athletes leave

Mitigation:

  • Start with businesses already spending on local advertising (they have budget)
  • Price first 3-5 deals aggressively low to build case studies
  • Lead with ROI: “Your ad reaches 10K people for $2,000 via social; a billboard costs $5K/month”
  • Create turnkey deal packages (not custom proposals every time)
  • Focus on businesses where the owner is a sports fan (emotional connection accelerates decisions)
  • Build a pipeline of 3x the deals you need to close

Section titled “Risk 6: Legal Liability from Contract Disputes”

Severity: HIGH Likelihood: Medium Impact: Lawsuits from athletes or brands, legal fees, reputation damage

Mitigation:

  • Have ALL contract templates reviewed by an Ohio sports/entertainment attorney before use
  • Purchase E&O insurance (Errors & Omissions) to cover professional liability
  • Purchase general liability insurance ($1M minimum)
  • Never make verbal promises that are not in the contract
  • Include dispute resolution (mediation then arbitration) in all contracts
  • Keep detailed records of all communications (email, not phone, for important discussions)
  • Budget $2,000-$5,000 for legal fees in Year 1

Risk 7: Ohio HB 184 (Trust Account Legislation)

Section titled “Risk 7: Ohio HB 184 (Trust Account Legislation)”

Severity: MEDIUM Likelihood: High (bill already passed Ohio House as of May 2025) Impact: Required to set up and manage trust accounts for athlete compensation, increased administrative burden

Mitigation:

  • Set up trust account infrastructure proactively (do not wait for the bill to become law)
  • Consult with an accountant on trust account management requirements
  • Build trust account ledger into the operations portal
  • Budget for additional banking fees
  • This is actually a competitive advantage: agencies that are already compliant will be trusted more than agencies scrambling to comply

Risk 8: Athlete Misconduct or Reputation Damage

Section titled “Risk 8: Athlete Misconduct or Reputation Damage”

Severity: MEDIUM Likelihood: Medium Impact: Brand partners pull out, agency reputation associated with bad press

Mitigation:

  • Include a “morals clause” in all Athlete Representation Agreements
  • Include social media conduct expectations in onboarding
  • Monitor signed athletes’ social media activity (weekly review)
  • Have a crisis communication plan: what to say to brands, media, and other athletes
  • Build relationships with multiple athletes so no single athlete’s issue sinks the agency
  • Include termination rights in all brand contracts for athlete misconduct

Risk 9: Competition from National NIL Agencies and Collectives

Section titled “Risk 9: Competition from National NIL Agencies and Collectives”

Severity: MEDIUM Likelihood: High Impact: Top athletes sign with national agencies, schools partner with collectives instead of independent agencies

Mitigation:

  • Do not compete for the top 1% of athletes (they will go national). Target the top 20% at mid-tier schools.
  • Differentiate on service: personal attention, local knowledge, content creation
  • Differentiate on speed: a two-person agency can move faster than a national firm
  • Position as complementary to collectives, not competitive: “We handle the brand deals; the collective handles the booster money”
  • Focus on sports that national agencies ignore: volleyball, track, soccer, softball

Risk 10: Partner Disagreement (Lewis/Johnson)

Section titled “Risk 10: Partner Disagreement (Lewis/Johnson)”

Severity: MEDIUM Likelihood: Low-Medium Impact: Business paralysis, legal dispute, dissolution

Mitigation:

  • Finalize and sign the HOF Network Agreement before Day 1
  • Define decision-making authority clearly (Lewis = business/deals, Johnson = tech/creative)
  • Set quarterly in-person meetings to review business health and alignment
  • Include dispute resolution process in the Operating Agreement (mediation first)
  • Define what happens if one party wants to exit (buyout terms, notice period, client transition)
  • Keep financials transparent at all times (shared access to all accounts and records)

#RiskSeverityLikelihoodPriority Score
R1No agent registrationCriticalMedium1
R2Compliance violationsHighMedium2
R3Cash flow crunchHighHigh3
R4Cannot sign athletesHighMedium4
R5Brands do not convertHighMedium5
R6Contract disputesHighMedium6
R7HB 184 trust accountsMediumHigh7
R8Athlete misconductMediumMedium8
R9National competitionMediumHigh9
R10Partner disagreementMediumLow-Med10

The technology stack should serve operations, not define them. Day 1 needs are simple: manage contacts, track deals, produce content, stay compliant. Everything else can be added after the agency proves the business model works.


6.1 Day 1 Requirements (Before First Athlete Signs)

Section titled “6.1 Day 1 Requirements (Before First Athlete Signs)”

These are non-negotiable. The agency cannot operate without them.

NeedSolutionCostSetup Time
Business emailGoogle Workspace (nilems.com)$7/user/month1 hour
Domain + websiteAstro site on Cloudflare Pages$10-$15/year (domain)1-2 days
File storageGoogle Drive (via Workspace)Included30 min
Contracts & documentsGoogle Docs + PDF exportIncludedImmediate
Basic accountingWave (free) or QuickBooks Simple Start ($15/mo)$0-$15/month1 hour
Social media presenceInstagram, TikTok, X, LinkedIn accountsFree2 hours
PhoneDedicated business phone number (Google Voice)Free30 min
Contact managementGoogle Sheets (athlete tracker, brand tracker)Included1 hour
SchedulingCalendly free tierFree30 min

Day 1 Monthly Cost: $7-$22/month


6.2 Operations Portal (CMTG Build - Weeks 2-3)

Section titled “6.2 Operations Portal (CMTG Build - Weeks 2-3)”

The Astro-based operations portal deployed on Cloudflare Pages. This is the central hub for the agency.

PagePurposePriority
/Dashboard (summary cards, key metrics)P0
/athletesAthlete roster (name, school, sport, status, deals)P0
/athletes/[id]Individual athlete profile (social stats, brand audit, deal history)P0
/dealsDeal pipeline (kanban or table view)P0
/deals/[id]Individual deal detail (parties, deliverables, status, compliance)P1
/brandsBrand/business contact directoryP1
/complianceCompliance log (filings, notifications, deadlines)P1
/documentsDocument library (templates, signed contracts, compliance reports)P1
/financesRevenue tracker, commission splits, payment statusP2
/calendarUpcoming deadlines, events, deliverable datesP2
/settingsAgency info, user preferencesP3
Frontend: Astro (SSG/SSR) + Tailwind CSS
Hosting: Cloudflare Pages
Database: Cloudflare D1 (SQLite at edge) or Supabase
Auth: Cloudflare Access (simple, no custom auth needed)
File Storage: Cloudflare R2 or Google Drive links
AI/EMS: Document library as context for AI assistant
-- Athletes
CREATE TABLE athletes (
id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
name TEXT NOT NULL,
school TEXT NOT NULL,
sport TEXT NOT NULL,
position TEXT,
year TEXT, -- Freshman, Sophomore, etc.
email TEXT,
phone TEXT,
instagram_handle TEXT,
instagram_followers INTEGER,
tiktok_handle TEXT,
tiktok_followers INTEGER,
twitter_handle TEXT,
twitter_followers INTEGER,
status TEXT DEFAULT 'prospect', -- prospect, consultation, signed, terminated
signed_date TEXT,
contract_end_date TEXT,
commission_rate REAL, -- 0.10 to 0.20
notes TEXT,
created_at TEXT DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
updated_at TEXT DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);
-- Brands / Business Contacts
CREATE TABLE brands (
id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
name TEXT NOT NULL,
contact_name TEXT,
contact_email TEXT,
contact_phone TEXT,
business_type TEXT, -- car dealership, restaurant, gym, etc.
city TEXT,
state TEXT DEFAULT 'OH',
status TEXT DEFAULT 'prospect', -- prospect, pitched, active, inactive
notes TEXT,
created_at TEXT DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
updated_at TEXT DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);
-- Deals
CREATE TABLE deals (
id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
athlete_id TEXT REFERENCES athletes(id),
brand_id TEXT REFERENCES brands(id),
title TEXT NOT NULL,
description TEXT,
deal_type TEXT, -- social, appearance, merch, content, camp
deal_value REAL, -- total compensation
commission_rate REAL, -- NILEMS percentage
commission_amount REAL, -- calculated
sourced_by TEXT, -- 'lewis' or 'johnson' (affects revenue split)
status TEXT DEFAULT 'prospect', -- prospect, proposed, negotiating, closed, executing, complete, cancelled
compliance_filed INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
school_notified INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
start_date TEXT,
end_date TEXT,
deliverables TEXT, -- JSON or comma-separated list
notes TEXT,
created_at TEXT DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP,
updated_at TEXT DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);
-- Compliance Log
CREATE TABLE compliance_log (
id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
deal_id TEXT REFERENCES deals(id),
athlete_id TEXT REFERENCES athletes(id),
type TEXT, -- 'school_notification', 'compliance_report', 'contract_filing'
school TEXT,
filed_date TEXT,
due_date TEXT,
status TEXT DEFAULT 'pending', -- pending, filed, confirmed, overdue
officer_name TEXT,
officer_email TEXT,
notes TEXT,
created_at TEXT DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);
-- Revenue / Payments
CREATE TABLE payments (
id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
deal_id TEXT REFERENCES deals(id),
type TEXT, -- 'brand_payment', 'athlete_payout', 'johnson_split', 'ems_retained'
amount REAL,
status TEXT DEFAULT 'pending', -- pending, received, paid, overdue
due_date TEXT,
paid_date TEXT,
notes TEXT,
created_at TEXT DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);
-- Activity Log
CREATE TABLE activity_log (
id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
entity_type TEXT, -- 'athlete', 'brand', 'deal', 'compliance'
entity_id TEXT,
action TEXT, -- 'created', 'updated', 'status_changed', 'note_added'
description TEXT,
performed_by TEXT, -- 'lewis', 'johnson', 'system'
created_at TEXT DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);

6.3 AI/EMS (Executive Management System) Integration

Section titled “6.3 AI/EMS (Executive Management System) Integration”

The operations portal includes a document library that serves as context for an AI assistant. This is the “brain” that can answer questions, generate documents, and provide guidance.

/docs/
/legal/
ohio-nil-licensing-rules.md
hof-network-agreement.md
athlete-representation-agreement.md
brand-deal-contract-template.md
compliance-report-template.md
operating-agreement.md
/operations/
90-day-launch-plan.md (this document)
athlete-onboarding-checklist.md
deal-execution-checklist.md
school-notification-process.md
/strategy/
go-to-market-strategy.md
brand-partnership-playbook.md
pricing-framework.md
/compliance/
ohio-rc-4771-summary.md
ncaa-nil-rules-summary.md
hb-184-trust-account-prep.md
compliance-calendar.md
/financial/
revenue-split-calculator.md
commission-structure.md
/marketing/
content-calendar-template.md
pitch-deck-outlines.md
media-kit.md
/reference/
ohio-schools-directory.md
business-category-targets.md
nutricost-media-kit-analysis.md

AI Assistant Capabilities (Built on Document Library)

Section titled “AI Assistant Capabilities (Built on Document Library)”
CapabilityExample QueryGrounded In
Compliance guidance”What do I need to file for this deal?”Ohio rules, compliance templates
Deal structuring”What should I charge for 3 social posts from a 5K follower athlete?”Pricing framework
Revenue calculation”If we close this $3,000 deal that Lewis sourced, what does Johnson get?”HOF agreement, commission structure
Document generation”Draft a school notification letter for Athlete X at Ohio State”Templates, athlete data
Process guidance”What’s next after signing an athlete?”Onboarding checklist
Risk flagging”This deal involves a minor — what extra steps?”Parental consent, compliance rules

ToolPurposeCostPriority
Canva ProSocial media graphics, pitch decks, brand kits$13/monthDay 1
CapCut (free)Video editing for TikTok/ReelsFreeDay 1
iPhone/CameraPhoto and video contentAlready ownedDay 1
Ring light + backdropProfessional-looking athlete content$50-$100 one-timeWeek 2
Later or BufferSocial media schedulingFree tierWeek 3

Do NOT build or buy these until the agency has signed 10+ athletes and closed 5+ deals.

ItemWhy It Can WaitBuild When
Custom CRM softwareGoogle Sheets works for 25 athletes25+ athletes
Mobile appPortal works on mobile browserYear 2
Automated social analyticsManual weekly pull is fine at small scale25+ athletes
Payment processing (Stripe)Manual invoicing works for low volume10+ deals/month
Merch e-commerce storePrint-on-demand + Instagram shop is enoughProven merch demand
Custom athlete websitesLink-in-bio tools (Linktree) work firstWhen athletes request it
Video studioiPhone + ring light produces good enough contentRevenue supports investment
Email marketing platformBCC email or free Mailchimp tier is fine100+ contacts
Advanced analytics/BISpreadsheet pivot tables work at this scaleYear 2
Multi-user auth system2 operators (Lewis/Johnson) can share accessWhen hiring staff

PhaseItemsMonthly CostOne-Time Cost
Day 1Google Workspace, domain, Canva Pro~$30/month$15 (domain)
Week 3Operations portal (CMTG build)$0 (Cloudflare free tier)CMTG project cost
Month 2Social scheduler, accounting software~$15/month$0
Total Year 1~$45/month ($540/year)~$115 + CMTG

Appendix A: Ohio Compliance Quick Reference

Section titled “Appendix A: Ohio Compliance Quick Reference”
RequirementDetailsReference
Agent RegistrationRegister with Ohio Athletic Commission before signing athletesR.C. Chapter 4771
Written ContractsMust use Commission-approved forms with bold disclosuresR.C. 4771
72-Hour School NotificationNotify school within 72 hours of signing or before next practice/gameR.C. 4771
No Pay-for-PlayDeals cannot be tied to athletic performance or enrollment decisionsOhio NIL Executive Order
Fiduciary DutyAgent must act in athlete’s best interestR.C. 4771
Trust Accounts (Pending)HB 184 would require monitored trust accounts for athlete compensationHB 184 (passed House May 2025)
Contract Duration Limits (Pending)HB 184 would prohibit contracts extending beyond college eligibilityHB 184

Based on the HOF Network Agreement:

Deals Sourced by Roechard Lewis:

Athlete earns: $10,000 (example)
NILEMS commission (15%): $1,500
- Johnson receives: 20% of $1,500 = $300
- EMS retains: 80% of $1,500 = $1,200

Deals Sourced by Russell Johnson:

Athlete earns: $10,000 (example)
NILEMS commission (15%): $1,500
- Johnson receives: 50% of $1,500 = $750
- EMS retains: 50% of $1,500 = $750

Payment Timeline: Johnson paid within 10 days of NILEMS receiving payment.

Appendix C: Key Contacts Directory (To Build)

Section titled “Appendix C: Key Contacts Directory (To Build)”
RoleNameOrganizationContactStatus
Ohio Athletic CommissionTBDState of OhioTBDNeed to contact
Sports/Entertainment AttorneyTBDTBDTBDNeed to retain
Accountant/CPATBDTBDTBDNeed to retain
Insurance AgentTBDTBDTBDNeed to contact
OSU Compliance OfficerTBDOhio StateTBDNeed to contact
UC Compliance OfficerTBDCincinnatiTBDNeed to contact
Akron Compliance OfficerTBDUniversity of AkronTBDNeed to contact

This document is maintained in the NILEMS operations portal document library and serves as the primary reference for the AI/EMS system. Update as the agency progresses through each phase.