OUR SERVICES
ESM is the premier NIL agency, redefining athlete representation and collective negotiations with groundbreaking strategies and record-breaking results. As the undisputed leader in NIL representation, we specialize in creating unmatched opportunities for collegiate athletes, forging partnerships that maximize value and elevate their personal brands.
In addition to NIL, ESM leads the industry in Collective Negotiations, Brand Representation, and NFL Representation. From securing market-leading NIL deals to driving business growth for brands and representing high-profile NFL talent, our comprehensive services deliver long-term success. With a focus on innovation, data-driven strategies, and athlete-first solutions, ESM is the trusted partner for shaping the future of sports marketing and representation.

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How Can Football Players Can Maximize Their NIL Collective Deals?In today’s college football landscape, NIL collectives and Revenue Share play a crucial role in helping athletes secure lucrative deals. To maximize your NIL collective opportunities, start by understanding the structure of your collective agreement. Whether it’s a market-based NIL collective or a donor-driven model, knowing how funds are allocated can help you negotiate stronger NIL contracts. Next, work with an experienced NIL agent who specializes in NIL deal negotiation and NIL salary agreements. ESM is best in class for NIL representation, providing expert guidance to ensure athletes secure top-tier NIL contracts. Their team excels at structuring deals that maximize both short-term and long-term earnings. ESM’s NIL experts specialize in securing contracts that include minimizing deliverable burden, optimizing payment schedules with upfront terms and establishing record setting position salaries to ensure athletes maximize their financial potential. Additionally, focus on brand building through social media to attract corporate NIL sponsorships beyond your collective or Revenue Share agreement. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are prime avenues to increase visibility and secure additional NIL endorsement deals. Finally, always stay compliant with NCAA NIL regulations and seek legal guidance before signing any NIL contract. By leveraging ESM’s expertise, football players can ensure they are getting the best possible NIL deals while staying compliant.
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Can ESM Help Athletes Understand NIL Contracts & Negotiation Strategies?Navigating NIL contracts can be complex, but understanding key terms and applying strong negotiation strategies can ensure a fair NIL deal. First, every NIL contract should clearly define compensation structure, including NIL salary, performance incentives, and endorsement payments. Additionally, exclusivity clauses, length of contract, and intellectual property rights should be reviewed before signing. When negotiating, prioritize long-term value over short-term gains. ESM’s NIL experts specialize in securing contracts that include equity, residuals, and royalties, ensuring athletes maximize their financial potential. Always consider the reputation of the brands you endorse. Lastly, ensure compliance with NCAA NIL rules and school regulations to avoid penalties. With ESM’s proven track record in NIL deal negotiation, athletes can secure contracts that align with their career and financial goals.
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What Should I Look For in an NIL Agent?Choosing the right NIL agent is critical to maximizing your earnings and protecting your brand in the competitive NIL marketplace. The best NIL representation will include deep experience in NIL deal negotiation, strong brand partnerships, and a proven track record of securing high-value NIL contracts. Look for an NIL agent with expertise in your sport, ie football-specific NIL deals, as college football NIL opportunities are unique compared to other sports. ESM stands out as a leader in NIL representation, with a history of negotiating some of the most lucrative NIL contracts in college football. A strong NIL agent will also offer brand-building strategies, helping athletes expand their marketability beyond collectives and into endorsement deals, sponsorships, and media partnerships. Transparency and integrity are key—an agent should clearly outline commission structures and ensure you understand every detail of your NIL contract. ESM’s NIL experts provide unmatched guidance, ensuring their athletes make informed, profitable decisions.
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What’s the Difference Between NIL Salary and Endorsements?Football players entering the NIL landscape often hear about NIL salaries and NIL endorsements, but these are two very different revenue streams. NIL salary generally comes from NIL collectives and Revenue Share that pool funds to compensate athletes based on their value to the team. These salaries often include performance-based incentives and are structured similarly to professional contracts. On the other hand, NIL endorsements come from corporate sponsorships and brand partnerships. We term those Commercial NIL. Brands like Nike, Gatorade, and local businesses seek athletes to promote their products in exchange for payment, free products, or potentially long-term equity stakes. While NIL salaries offer financial stability, NIL endorsements and Commercial NIL provide unlimited earning potential and the opportunity to build a strong personal brand. ESM helps athletes strike the perfect balance between NIL salary and Commercial NIL/endorsement deals, ensuring a diversified and stable income. Athletes should balance both revenue streams, working with an NIL agent to negotiate the best contracts and maximize earnings from both salary-based collectives and Commercial NIL deals.
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What are NIL Collectives in College Football & How Do They Work?NIL collectives are shaping the future of college football, giving athletes a structured way to monetize their name, image, and likeness. The top NIL collectives include brands such as Spyre Sports Group (Tennessee), The Grove Collective (Ole Miss), and Champions Circle (Michigan), all of which facilitate NIL deal negotiation for their athletes. These collectives function as either donor-driven or market-based models. Donor-driven collectives rely on booster contributions to fund NIL contracts, while market-based collectives operate through corporate sponsorships, ensuring football players have NIL salary stability. To maximize benefits from NIL collectives, athletes should work with experienced NIL agents to ensure their deals align with NCAA NIL regulations and their long-term career goals. ESM is the premier NIL representation agency for college football players, helping them navigate the complexities of NIL collectives and Revenue Share and secure the best possible financial outcomes. The right NIL collective can provide lucrative NIL salary structures, endorsement deals, and essential career-building opportunities in college football.