NIL Deals and Transfer Portals are Also Impacting College Staff and Their Roles

 

College sports is undergoing a significant transformation with the advent of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights and the increasing prevalence of transfer portals. These changes are reshaping how college staff operate, presenting both opportunities and challenges. With the rise of NIL deals and transfer portals, understanding the behind-the-scenes impact on college coaching staff is crucial. According to the NCAA, over 1,600 football players entered the transfer portal for 2023, highlighting the growing trend and its implications for college athletics.

How are NIL deals and transfer portals reshaping the roles and responsibilities of college staff?

This episode of “Krow Knows* looks into this timely topic with host AJ Krow speaking to guests Ace Gardner and Jacob Lewis from Coaches Vue, LLC. The trio talked about the profound changes these developments are bringing to college sports, such as the creation of new job roles, and also discussed their experiences and insights on managing these new dynamics.

Some of their discussion points regarding NIL deals and transfer portals included:

  • The evolving recruitment process and its impact on college staff workloads.
  • The role of technology in adapting to NIL deals and transfer portals challenges.
  • Strategies for building deeper connections with athletes amidst increasing turnover. 

Ace Gardner, co-founder of Coaches Vue, LLC, has a rich background in college sports, having played football and track at Southern Methodist University. With a career spanning marketing and consulting, Gardner has a unique perspective on how technology can support athletic programs, and how NIL deals and transfer portals are changing that.

Jacob Lewis is the Director of Operations and Strategic Planning at Coaches Vue, LLC, and has a deep understanding of the recruitment landscape. With firsthand experience also from his football career at Stephen F. Austin State University, Lewis provides valuable insights into the operational challenges faced by college staff today.

Article written by Alexandra Simon.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

people-first
HVAC Thrives on People-First Leadership, Not Just Technical Know-How
January 27, 2026

The skilled trades are undergoing a shift as experienced workers retire faster than new talent enters the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for HVAC technicians is projected to grow 8% by 2034. That’s much faster than average — and shows the urgency of attracting and keeping new talent.  While…

Read More
sales enablement
Crafted Journey How To: Mastering Sales Enablement in an AI-Driven Market
January 26, 2026

Sales enablement is having a moment—and for good reason. As organizations grow more global, product portfolios expand through acquisition, and AI tools flood the market, sales teams are under pressure to ramp faster, stay consistent, and sell smarter. Effective sales enablement can improve win rates and shorten sales cycles, yet many companies still struggle…

Read More
kids
Designing a Brand Kids Love to Live In, and Parents Choose with Confidence
January 26, 2026

Gen Alpha’s coming of age is reshaping retail, with children playing a more visible role in purchase decisions through early preferences around color, comfort, and self-expression. Research continues to show that kids increasingly influence household purchases, especially in apparel and lifestyle categories, pushing brands to rethink how early identity, confidence, and joy are designed…

Read More
medical worker shortage
Experiential Learning: A Cure for the Medical Worker Shortage with Jason Aubrey of Skilltrade
January 26, 2026

Healthcare systems across the U.S. are facing a persistent and worsening medical worker shortage, particularly in allied health roles that keep hospitals, clinics, and surgery centers running. Rural access gaps, rising tuition costs, and skepticism about the ROI of traditional degrees are colliding with urgent employer demand. At the same time, momentum is building…

Read More