In September of 2021, the NCAA allowed a ruling that unlocked college athletes from getting compensation for the first time in history. How will this change the relationship between student athletes, sponsoring companies, and their fans?

In this episode, George Papanicolaou speaks with Chris Ward, CRO of The Publisher Desk, on the NIL rule and the regulations surrounding it. Since the rule is still in its infancy, there are many questions like, who can provide sponsorships, how are sponsorships managed for independent players, and how can a player’s marketability impact their future as a professional athlete?

Listen as Chris discusses:

• How an athlete can earn for their name, image and likeness
  
• What kinds of opportunities student athletes can bring to local businesses
  
• How social media influences the marketability of student athletes
  
• And more
  

Connect with Chris Ward:

• LinkedIn: Chris Ward
  
• The Publisher Desk
  

Connect with George Papanicolaou:

• Opus Private Client, LLC 
  
• LinkedIn: George Papanicolaou
  

About Our Guest:

Christopher Ward, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of The Publisher Desk, a full-service technology and monetization platform for content publisher. He got his start in advertising and publishing in 2007 at News Corp and later at Undertone, an advertising network. In November of 2019, the Publisher Desk acquired Sportsnaut.com, doubling down on their belief in the future of sports marketing.  

About Our Host:

George has a very unique background and work history. Broad, diverse, and driven by integrity and strong family values, his experiences create the perfect foundation for teaming up with clients to protect, build, and enjoy their financial world.

George puts a strong emphasis on family. His parents and grandparents ran a very successful flower business with several locations in Westchester County, in addition to owning and managing commercial and residential real estate. From a young age, George was taught that compassion, good customer service, and a strong work ethic were key components to the longevity of a business.

George credits his significant business success to his strong work ethic and desire to learn— two qualities that have helped him earn several leadership awards. George’s interest in real estate contributes to his ability to help clients diversify their holdings.

George is married with four children, two dogs, and a bunny. He and his wife live in Pleasantville, NY. They are huge lovers of food and culture and enjoy traveling and entertaining at their home.

This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as tax, legal, or investment advice.  Therefore, the information should be relied upon only when coordinated with individual professional advice. Iván Watanabe & George Papanicolaou are Registered Representatives and Financial Advisors of Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS). Securities products and advisory services offered through PAS, member FINRA, SIPC. Financial Representative of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian. Opus Private Client, LLC is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian.  Opus Private Client, LLC is not registered in any state or with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Advisor. Compliance Approval 2022-144380, Expires September 2024.