NCAA & Meta NIL Empower Program

 

 

 

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Industry Insiders!

Today, we’re diving into the intersection of sports, creativity, and business with Sydney Umeri, Program Manager for Sports Partnerships at Meta. Sydney has spent the last decade championing the voices of athletes—especially women—through innovative programs and content strategies, and her latest venture is genuinely raising the bar.

At Meta, Sydney is the driving force behind the NCAA x Meta NIL Empower Program. This initiative is transforming the lives of 100 female college athletes, guiding them through the complex world of NIL deals, and teaching them how to build their brands, foster lasting connections, and unlock revenue streams. But this is just the beginning of her inspiring journey.

We are privileged to have Sydney here today to share her unique insights on how Meta is bridging the gap between being a student-athlete and becoming a creator. Her work is not just a game-changer for women in sports but has profound implications for the future of college athletics.

Get ready for an enlightening conversation that will inspire athletes and creators alike!

Here is what we talked about:

1:30: How sports can be a large part of your life without being in broadcasting

2:20: How hard work will result in good outcomes

3:30: Learning the nuance of how the world works and the politics of life

6:19: What does consumer listening mean? They come for your athletic ability; they stay for who you are.”

8:04: What does NIL mean to her

10:30: What does Empower’s partnership with the NCAA look like?

12:12: What does success in the program look like

14:10: How NIL is providing work experience

15:50: How to navigate the minefields of being a female on social

17:25: What are the first steps to build an NIL brand