NIL Power Players vs. Everyone Else

When it comes to NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), some young athletes are already miles ahead, and not because they’re more talented. It’s because of who raised them.

Many of the athletes now landing six-figure deals, major sponsorships, and national attention are the children of professional sports icons. These families don’t need to learn how the system works, they helped build it. They know the agents, the scouts, the media reps, and the brand partners. And their kids? They’re not just stepping into the spotlight, they were born under it.

Let’s break this down.

The O’Neal Family
Shaquille O’Neal, 4-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer, has long-standing relationships in the league, with brands, and in sports media.

• His son, Shareef O’Neal, played college basketball at UCLA and LSU, joined the G League, and is now working in NIL recruiting for Reebok.
• His daughter, Me’Arah O’Neal, is one of the top high school prospects in women’s basketball and has committed to the University of Florida.

They benefit from more than genetics, they have direct mentorship, visibility, and branding support that most athletes will never touch.

The Sanders Family
Deion Sanders, NFL Hall of Famer, current University of Colorado head coach, and one of the most marketable athletes of all time, is raising the next generation of football stars, on the field and on camera.

• Shedeur Sanders, Deion’s son and Colorado’s quarterback, was just drafted by the Cleveland Browns. He’s one of the most visible college athletes in the country.
• Shilo Sanders, another son, recently signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after finishing his college career.
• Deion Sanders Jr. plays for Colorado and manages much of the family’s media content, adding brand value behind the scenes.

They’re not just in the NIL conversation, they’re shaping it, with a massive head start and a father who knows how the entire system works.

The James Family
LeBron James, a 4-time NBA champion and global icon, has spent the last two decades dominating basketball and building a billion-dollar brand.

• His son, Bronny James, has been in the spotlight since middle school, played for USC, and was just drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers, making NBA history by potentially playing alongside his dad.

LeBron’s network includes agents, execs, and sponsors. Bronny has had access to pro-level branding and coaching since day one.

The Wade Family
Dwyane Wade, NBA legend and three-time champion, is a respected figure in both basketball and business.

• His son, Zaire Wade, trained at elite prep schools like Sierra Canyon, transferred to Brewster Academy, and has played professionally in the Basketball Africa League.

Zaire had access to high-level coaching, press, and visibility while most young players are trying to afford tournament fees.

The Broadus Family
Snoop Dogg, global entertainment icon and longtime football supporter, has built a massive platform that extends into sports, media, and youth development.

• His son, Cordell Broadus, was a top high school football recruit who played at UCLA before shifting into film and fashion. Even though Cordell stepped away from football, his access didn’t vanish, he’s now building brands, directing campaigns, and helping athletes navigate creative partnerships, including NIL.

This family’s influence shows that even without going pro, the right support system can turn sports exposure into long-term visibility and opportunity.

The Rodman Family
Dennis Rodman, 5-time NBA champion known for his rebounding and off-court fame, is the father of one of the top young stars in U.S. soccer.

• Trinity Rodman was drafted into the NWSL at 18 and now plays for the Washington Spirit and the U.S. Women’s National Team. She’s signed multiple major endorsement deals.

Her name, network, and performance gave her a visibility pipeline most athletes only dream of.

What About Everyone Else?
All of these families have something most don’t:

• Access
  Direct entry into rooms, conversations, and opportunities that most people can’t reach, usually through relationships, reputation, or legacy.
• Industry knowledge
  A clear understanding of how the business works, who makes decisions, what matters in a deal, and how to navigate the system.
• Media connections
  Relationships with journalists, content creators, and outlets that can drive visibility, shape perception, and boost an athlete’s reach.

Trusted advisors from day one

People with experience and influence, like agents, lawyers, marketers, already in place to guide decisions and protect the athlete from the start.

They don’t have to Google "how NIL works" or wait for someone to tell them what to do. They are the system.

What About Everyone Else?

Most families, especially those outside big markets or without a famous name, start from scratch. They have to learn NIL rules, build a brand, find deals, and navigate contracts with no connections or support.

That’s Why We Created Her Court, Her Agent: The Warm-Up
This free course was built for the rest of us, for the parents, athletes, and aspiring reps who don’t have a famous last name or media connections.

In The Warm-Up, you’ll learn how to:

Build visibility from scratch
Help athletes get noticed without relying on name recognition, by showing up online, creating meaningful content, and building an engaged audience from zero.

Understand how to package talent the right way
Present an athlete in a way that brands and opportunities can’t ignore, through storytelling, branding, digital presence, and professionalism that signals readiness.

Prepare for NIL before anyone comes knocking
Get your athlete positioned with the right structure, email, bios, media kits, and offer clarity, before deals are on the table, so you’re not scrambling when interest hits.

Avoid gatekeepers by creating your own path
Don’t wait for permission. Use digital tools, platforms, and direct outreach to build your own opportunities, without needing agents, big schools, or industry insiders to open doors.

This isn’t surface-level. It’s a real plan for families without connections who need a direct path into NIL.

Right now, families like the Sanders are in headlines, Deion's health is improving, and Shedeur's headline-making off-field news is the latest example. Meanwhile, athletes with less access are left searching for a starting point.

The Warm-Up is free, clear, and built for families who don’t have famous last names or media connections.

The Warm Up the clarity, structure, and real-world strategy that most people never get, until it’s too late. Start by taking the Readiness Assessment to see where you stand and what you need to work on. You don’t need access, you need a plan, and that’s what The Warm-Up gives you.