NIL changed college sports fast — but the people running it still have not fully caught up.
In this episode of Right About Now, Ryan Alford sits down with Justin J. Giangrande, CEO and Founder of NETWORK, to break down the chaos, opportunity, and power shifts driving the business of college sports. Justin explains why the NCAA is no longer really steering the ship, why the SEC and Big Ten hold the most power, and why the current NIL system still feels like a house of cards with football and basketball layered on top.
Ryan and Justin also go beyond the headlines to talk about what this means for parents, brands, and athletes in real life. From high school NIL and athlete representation to content creation, school fit, endorsement strategy, and the next untapped opportunity in women’s volleyball, this conversation lays out where the market is moving and who is positioned to win.
*Topics Covered*
* What NETWORK actually does in the NIL ecosystem
* Why the NCAA is no longer fully in control
* The power dynamic between the SEC, Big Ten, and everyone else
* How NIL deals really work behind the scenes
* What parents should know if they have a high-level athlete
* Why content and social media matter more than ever for athletes
* The difference between getting the biggest deal and the right deal
* Why elite high school athletes may be the next major brand opportunity
* The most misunderstood part of NIL contracts
* Why women’s volleyball may be the next undervalued opportunity
*Connect with Justin J. Giangrande / NETWORK*
* NETWORK: thenetworkadvisory.com
* Justin on Instagram: @jg.network
* NETWORK on Instagram: @thenetworkadvisory
*Connect with Ryan Alford / Right About Now*
* Ryan Alford: Ryanisright.com
