College Athletics in a Pay-for-Play Era

College athletics is evolving fast. What used to center on scholarships and school pride now includes contracts, branding deals, and real income before athletes even step on campus. In this episode of Money Sense, Heather Deaton sits down with Chellee Siewert, Founder and President of Capture Sports Entertainment, to unpack what the pay-for-play (NIL) era means for athletes, families, and the future of college sports. From building a trusted team to navigating contracts, taxes, and personal branding, this conversation explores both the opportunities and the risks. They also zoom out to examine how NIL is reshaping team dynamics, recruiting, and the long-term landscape of college athletics. 00:00 The Shift to Pay-for-Play in College Sports 02:12 What NIL Really Means for Athletes Today 04:05 Building the Right Team Around an Athlete 06:45 Early Deals, Contracts, and Hidden Risks 08:58 Schools Paying Athletes Directly Explained 11:30 Athletes as Brands: Identity Beyond the Game 15:00 Financial Planning and Managing Sudden Income 18:10 Team Dynamics, Transfers, and Recruiting Changes 22:05 What Comes Next: Rules, Risks, and the Future of NIL New episodes of Money Sense drop weekly. Subscribe for more conversations that connect financial education with real life decisions. #MoneySense #CollegeAthletics #NIL #PayForPlay #StudentAthletes #FinancialEducation #WealthPlanning #SportsBusiness **ELLENBECKER INVESTMENT GROUP** Presenter of the Money Sense Podcast. Ellenbecker Investment Group (EIG), a registered investment advisor, provides comprehensive financial planning and fiduciary wealth management for individuals, families, businesses, and charitable foundations. Website: ellenbecker.com *This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Guest opinions represent the views of the individuals speaking, and references to companies do not imply endorsement by Ellenbecker Investment Group.*