The Future of NIL

For athletes, schools, and brands.

I was not the best player on my team. I still built one of the strongest NIL brands in the country. Here is how that works, and how it can work for you.

Created by Experience, Not Theory

Built by one of the country's top NIL earners in college, who's redefining opportunity for the 99% of athletes.

The Money Game on Prime
Starred in Amazon Prime's The Money Game
ESPN
NIL story featured by ESPN
U.S. House of Representatives seal
Invited to US Capital for NCAA NIL legislation
Why The 99?

We Bridge the Gap

The 99 gives every athlete the education, strategy, and connections to build real NIL value.

Any school. Any sport. Any athlete.

The Problem with NIL

While the top 1% of athletes take 95% of NIL money... the other 99% are left wondering what they're missing.

Why athletes aren't taking advantage of NIL:

"I can't compete with the top-tier athletes in NIL"
"I don't know the right steps or the right people"
"I don't have time to figure out brand building alone"

There's $2.5B in NIL deals every year. Watch where every $100 of it goes.

$0
$0

goes to the top 1% of athletes

$0 is split by the other 99% of athletes

Less than 10% of NCAA athletes have consistent NIL deals.

That split is a skill gap. Those deals go to athletes who learn how to package themselves, pitch brands, and close. That is exactly what The 99 Network teaches.

Our Services

How We Help

From campus visits to year-round consulting, we meet programs and athletes where they are.

In-Person Speaking and Workshops

Keynote talks that make athletes care about NIL, delivered athlete to athlete, not from a compliance seat
Interactive workshops where athletes start building their brand in the room, not just hearing about it
Real stories and real numbers that show athletes what's possible during their four years and beyond
Sessions designed to plant seeds that last: mindset, identity, and ownership over their name
Custom talks for athletic departments, teams, business schools, conferences, and events
In-person speaking and workshops

Your Virtual NIL Department

A school year long partnership that gives your athletes an NIL department without adding staff
Live group calls and a private athlete community for accountability and momentum all year
Content and video review days where athletes get direct feedback on what they're posting
Online modules that go past surface level tips into what actually builds a professional, lasting personal brand
Training on creating content that converts for brands, plus pathways to real paid opportunities through brand deals, UGC, and affiliate partnerships
Teaching athletes to see themselves as a business and run it that way: managing money, deals, and their brand efficiently
Year-round virtual NIL department

NIL Academy

Self-paced NIL education program
Step-by-step brand building framework
Content creation templates and strategies
Deal negotiation playbooks
NIL Academy
Testimonials

Trusted by Industry Leaders

“”

Trace has built a powerful brand that serves as a model for student-athletes everywhere. His framework is practical and proven.

Matt McMahonLSU Head Basketball Coach
“”

Trace has proven success building athlete brands. His framework for personal branding and deal-making is invaluable for any program.

Ian HamiltonFormer Nike Global Marketing Director
“”

Trace has the credibility to speak on NIL because he's lived it. His experience closing 70+ deals gives him a perspective that resonates with our athletes.

Ronnie HamiltonLouisville Assistant Coach
“”

Trace understands NIL from every angle: athlete, brand, institution. That 360-degree perspective makes his insights uniquely valuable.

Rob LanierRice Head Basketball Coach
“”

The platform Trace has built gives athletes a real blueprint for success. It's not theory... it's actionable and it works.

Chris CapkoSMU Assistant Coach
“”

What sets Trace apart is his authenticity. Athletes trust him because he's been in their shoes and built something real.

Aaron KatsumaMinnesota Assistant Coach
“”

Trace bridges the gap between athletes, brands, and universities in a way I haven't seen before. He understands the complexities of the NIL landscape.

Jim IschNCAA Executive | Former COO
Our Story

"I didn't follow the footsteps of NIL, I created them."

-Trace Young

Get Started

Ready to Get Started?

Let's discuss how The 99 can help your program, athletes, or brand succeed in the NIL era.