Inside the Business of College Hockey: NIL, Entrepreneurship & Building a Sports Media Brand | James Murray Interview

In this episode of Legacy Unscripted, host Russ Katzman sits down with James Murray — founder and CEO of Everything College Hockey (ECH) — for a deep dive into the fast-evolving world of college hockey, NIL opportunities, sports media, and the entrepreneurial grind behind building one of the fastest-growing brands in the sport.

James shares how his passion for college hockey turned into a thriving business, what the NIL era means for student-athletes, and how the transfer portal is reshaping loyalty, development, and team culture. He also gives an exclusive look at ECH’s upcoming mentorship and development app designed to support young players on and off the ice.

Whether you're a college hockey fan, student-athlete, entrepreneur, or someone fascinated by the future of sports business, this episode delivers powerful insights on content creation, brand building, and what it really takes to grow a company in the competitive world of sports media.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction to College Hockey Passion
01:40 Building a Business Around College Hockey
04:20 Navigating the NIL Landscape
07:23 Impact of NIL on Locker Room Dynamics
10:15 The Transfer Portal's Influence on College Hockey
12:37 The Business Model of Everything College Hockey
15:08 Establishing Relationships with Schools
18:39 Future Aspirations and the Upcoming App
20:58 Building Connections Through Sports
23:02 The Business of Coaching and Mentorship
24:34 Challenges of Entrepreneurship
28:39 Learning from Mistakes
32:44 Creating a Team Culture
34:03 Future Aspirations and Partnerships
36:32 Reflections on the Journey

🔥 Sound Bites

"I wanted to always stay in the game."
"Let's find a way to get sponsors behind."
"It takes everyone to grow the game."

I hope you enjoy this episode!
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– Russ and the Legacy, Unscripted! podcast team

Connect with Russ on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/business-coach-florida/
Visit the Progenyc website here: http://www.progenycc.com/
Get in touch with Russ: russ@progenycc.com

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Legacy, Unscripted! hosted by Russ is a no-filter conversation about the legacies we’re building every day - whether we realize it or not. This podcast dives into how entrepreneurs, leaders, and everyday difference-makers live intentionally, overcome obstacles, and shape their impact on others. With raw stories, honest reflections, and practical insights, Legacy, Unscripted! invites you to reflect on your values, your purpose, and the mark you’re leaving on the world.