Redefining Athlete Representation

🔍 Episode Overview

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, discusses 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 careers with a CEO mindset.

If you want 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.

🔑 Key Topics

• The Broken Incentive System Behind Athlete Representation

• The commodification of athletes—starting in middle school

• What agents are (and aren’t) responsible for

• Why families must build a team, not chase validation

• The rise of sports asset management vs traditional agencies

• How to adopt a “builder’s mindset” and think like a CEO

• How Blue Chip Academy and L.I.G. Sports Group fill the development gap

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

📩 Learn more about building real value at ligsports.com

🎓 Want to go deeper into how recruiting really works behind the scenes?
Check out our Recruiting Business Masterclass — 23 in-depth lessons designed to give athletes, parents, and professionals a real understanding of how to build value, navigate offers, and dominate the recruiting process like an insider.

👉 Enroll now at Recruiting Business Masterclass and take control of your recruiting journey.

“I just completed the L.I.G. Sports Group Recruiting Business Masterclass and man was it a wealth of information. I would highly recommend it for parents, coaches, agents or those aspiring to be in recruiting, #NIL or sports adjacent roles. Justin King does an incredible job of discussing the Ecosystem of college athletics and shares his BLUEPRINT for student-athletes sustained success as they progress through their high school years, evaluating colleges and sculpting their careers in and beyond college.”

- Jade Gummer, Partner at Partner at Quintairos Prieto Wood