Interview by Jyesha Nance
Autumn J. Seldon, the Founder and CEO of MET Agency Sports, was added to the 5 Star Pro Day guest speaker agenda by Founder Brent Williams to speak on Juneteenth 2024. MET Agency Sports also attended the NXGN TheSHOW 7 on 7 contests throughout the weekend scouting talent. Seldon engaged in discussions about NIL and fielded inquiries from parents, athletes, and even some coaches to enhance their NIL knowledge.
The NXGN Camps aim to identify and showcase the upcoming generation of exceptional football. The camps have reached exponential growth over the past ten years. Catering exclusively to elite middle school and high school football players, the camps prepare athletes for the next stage by providing exposure to college coaches through partnerships with the nation’s leading recruiting organizations. Led by former NFL player Brent Williams, participants gain valuable insights on navigating the recruitment Process. NXCN Camps hosts over 5,000 athletes annually. Since its inception, NXGN athletes have garnered nearly 11,000 Division 1 Scholarship offers. The NXGN All American Showcase camps have swiftly emerged as the most esteemed Showcase Camp in the nation. Attending NXGN offers numerous benefits, including exposure, grooming, character-building, and athletic skills development.
“One of the hottest topics in sports today is Name, Image, and Likeness-NIL. NIL is who an athlete is and what they represent. It’s those things that are unique to each player. It can be photos, videos, sayings, jersey numbers or names. NIL is your brand. I wore my old English D t-shirt under my blazer to represent my brand. Many in the crowd recognized the logo, and when asked where I was from they shouted “Detroit. This was the perfect way to demonstrate branding to players and parents in the audience.” It's important that athletes establish and authentic brand and protect it. They must be role models and demonstrate good character especially with online content said Seldon.
Since 2021, NIL has been legal for college athletes, and now more than 30 states are following suit by allowing the same compensation for high school athletes. “Players in approved states should take advantage of it, NIL can also serve as a financial resource for parents and their players. It can be saved for college or essential needs, development, and skill training.” NIL was prohibited for high school athletes when Seldon was parenting she spent between $5-8k annually on travel and football expenses. Parents now should leverage NIL opportunities for their child” said Seldon. NIL provides a life-changing opportunity for many players and their families who can use earnings to invest in real estate, securities, education, and other career aspirations outside of sports. As with any income, taxes will be required to be paid. Collectives and merchants must provide 1099's and athletes must pay at year end.
FHSAA Policy 9.9 has recently approved high school NIL as of June 5, 2024, and effective on July 24, 2024. Florida has long been a prohibited state for high school NIL. Florida has long been a prohibited state for high school NIL. “This will be a huge and long-awaited opportunity for the Sunshine State. Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and other approved states are ahead with high school athlete NIL. Michigan and several other states are considered to be in-progress while not fully approved NIL is also not defined as prohibited. Parents and players must recognize that the NIL landscape is constantly evolving and should work with an agency or trusted advisors to guide them on NIL regulations.”
“ I am definitely in favor of NIL. However, one of the most important messages left with student-athletes is that NIL should not be a determining factor in choosing or changing colleges. Selecting a university should be based on the best fit for academics, sports, and the greatest opportunity for success. There are plenty of NIL deals available to athletes outside of what’s being paid through school collectives. Private equity inclusion is a game changer and has increased opportunities. Hence, NIL should never drive decisions on school selection at any level.”
Another key focus for Seldon during her presentation was emphasizing the importance of maintaining a competitive mindset, stating that awareness of constant competition is key. When you’re viewed as a top player in the nation you will consistently be compared to other athletes and your athletic performance will be scrutinized. Seldon knows this well from raising two high-performing All-American players. Her bonus son, Andre Seldon Jr. holds the record for the fastest 40-yard dash in NXGN camp history and will play at Utah State in the fall. Seldon’s youngest son Myles “Ghost” Rowser a Safety at Arizona State University, made NXGN camp history by earning the camp’s first-ever All-American selection. He also earned multiple MVPs during TheShow 7 on 7 competitions in 2022. “Film will always be your greatest asset as a player. Stay competitive coaches will reward this with playing time on the field.”
“I enjoyed speaking at and attending the camp. It brought back memories and now as a professional in the NIL space, I believe that it helped to provide understanding to many families. Although this was my first speaking engagement on NIL, because most of my work is behind the scenes, I’ve now found a passion for doing it. Expect to see more of MET Agency Sports throughout future camp seasons and at local schools/universities.” MET is a valuable resource to athletes and their communities. Seeing their vision and results with transfer portal, I would recommend them for services.
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