Date

4-2026

ESRP 9000 Professor

Jason Abreu, Ed.D.

ESRP 9001 Professor

Jason Abreu, Ed.D.

Executive Summary

Beyond the Game: An Athlete-Centered NIL Leadership Blueprint Advancing Ethical, Inclusive, and Innovative Educational Ecosystems. Michael D. Johnson, Jr., 2026: Strategic Research Project, Nova Southeastern University, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. Keywords: athlete development, ethical leadership, financial literacy, name image likeness, nil education, student-athletes, cultural competency, digital credentialing, intergenerational wealth, public policies, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, technological equality.

This Strategic Research Project critically examines the evolving Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape and advances an athlete-centered leadership blueprint designed to address gaps in education, governance, and equality-based access within collegiate athletics. Since the implementation of NIL policies in 2021, student-athletes have gained unprecedented opportunities to monetize their personal brands; however, the rapid expansion of this marketplace has outpaced the development of structured institutional support systems. As a result, many athletes navigate complex commercial, legal, and ethical environments without sufficient guidance, increasing risks related to exploitation, inequitable access, and short-term decision-making. This study integrates strategic planning frameworks, leadership theory, and contemporary NIL scholarship to propose a scalable educational ecosystem grounded in three core pillars: knowledge, access, and protection.

Findings indicated that while NIL opportunities continue to expand, disparities persist in financial literacy, digital marketing competence, access to professional networks, and institutional resources—particularly among non-revenue, underrepresented, and international student-athletes. In response, this project advances a comprehensive action plan that includes a culturally responsive NIL curriculum, a digital learning and marketing platform, experiential leadership workshops, and an NIL innovation and evaluation lab. Collectively, these components form an integrated system that equips athletes with competencies in financial literacy, branding, ethical decision-making, and leadership development. Ultimately, this research positions NIL as a transformative platform for athlete empowerment, advancing a model that aligns commercial opportunity with socio-economic responsibility, long-term development, and sustainable value creation.

Document Type

Strategic Research Project-NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education

Concentration

Sports Leadership

Language

English

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