In this insightful episode of the Blue Chip Academy Podcast, former NFL players and sports industry leaders Ryan Mundy and Justin King dive deep into the broken model of athlete representation and the increasingly early commodification of young athletes in the NIL era.

From middle school NIL deals and high school athlete branding to the flawed incentive structures of sports agents, this episode is a must-listen for sports parents, student-athletes, coaches, and anyone serious about navigating the evolving sports business ecosystem.

Justin King, founder of L.I.G. Sports Group, breaks down the truth about what certified agents actually do, the development gap most families overlook, and how to build a strong athlete support system before money ever enters the picture. The conversation unpacks how today’s athletes must think like independent contractors, build personal brands, and approach their career with a CEO mindset.

If you're looking to understand how to support your athlete in the NIL landscape, why sports asset management is the future, and how to transition from chasing offers to building real value—this episode gives you the blueprint.

NIL, athlete representation, sports asset management, youth athlete development, building athlete brand, NIL for middle school, student-athlete support system, CEO mindset for athletes, Blue Chip Academy, Justin King, Ryan Mundy, LIG Sports Group, youth sports business, navigating the NIL era

Episode 57: Redefining Athlete Representation: Builders vs. Chasers

In today’s episode of Blue Chip Academy, Ryan Mundy and Justin King discuss:

• The commodification of young athletes in the NIL era
• Why the current model of representation is broken
• The myth of the all-in-one agent
• Developing a true support ecosystem
• How parents and coaches can be the difference
• The CEO mindset every athlete must adopt

🚨 Whether you’re a sports parent, athlete, or coach—this episode will change the way you think about athlete development and the business behind the game.

📩 Learn more about building real value at ligsports.com

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