Altius Sports partners with NFL, NFLPA for college football education

Altius Sports (ASP) is taking steps to expand its college football education program.

The company announced a new partnership Tuesday with the NFL and NFLPA. Already established at more than 30 schools and nearly half of the Power Five, the advising firm’s deal provides college football players with education and resources to prep them for their NFL careers. The programming covers information players will need as athletes and individuals.

In its workings with Power Five schools, Altius typically provides assistance on a case-by-case basis. If the athletic department is working on a major NIL initiative, ASP could be sitting in meetings and providing feedback. With its general manager program, Altius is having a constant conversation with athletes on education and what to look for in an NIL deal.

Now college football players at ASP institutions will have education specifically created to prepare them for the NFL. The resources were designed by player engagement and development experts at the the NFL league office and the NFLPA, according to the release.

“As part of our continued commitment to providing world-class support to our partner institutions, we are thrilled to join with the NFL and NFLPA to prepare college football athletes in their transitions to the professional space,” Altius vice president Kim DeCarolis said in a statement. “Through our groundbreaking on-campus General Manager program, we’re now able to provide uniquely curated educational content ensuring future success for the athletes.”

Elements of the educational programming will include marketing and sponsorship guidance, brand awareness and maximization, NFL league policies and an overview of the NFLPA. Altius’ client services team will present the curriculum to football teams.

“Partnering with ASP allows us to continuously reach college athletes to deliver credible and consistent educational information on league business practices,” NFL senior vice president of football operations Arthur McAfee said. “And to assist athletes in making informed decisions as they transition to the National Football League.”

Altius has continued to branch out in recent months. The advising firm launched the ASP Academy in the fall, starting with programs at Nevada, Tulane, Oakland and North Alabama. With the goal of providing NIL education and services at scale, Altius can cater to institutions that may not have the budget for a general manager program but recognize the need to provide resources and information to its athletes on NIL.

Biggest NIL concerns facing Altius’ institutions

At the halfway point of the second year of NIL, there’s been plenty of lessons learned. NIL collectives — groups of boosters and businesses — continue to dominate the space. And athletes have been vocal about the need to receive assistance in handling the financial side, such as filing taxes.

Institutions received further clarification from the NCAA back in October regarding the interim NIL policy. A school cannot contribute to a collective, but administrators and coaches can publicly support the organization. At last count, the On3 collective database has more than 200 organizations active at the Division I level.

The ASP Academy will include some sessions with athletes, ranging from a NIL 101 crash course to a conversation on how to maximize NIL potential. With its general manager program, Altius is having a constant conversation with athletes on education and what to look for in a deal.

The biggest takeaway after a year — athletes now know what Name, Image and Likeness is.

“I think the biggest thing as we’re heading into Year 2, I think some athletes just didn’t see that there was an opportunity or that NIL was a space that they could engage in,” ASP VP of collegiate partnerships Brittney Whiteside previously told On3. “We’re now seeing student-athletes at all levels, we’re starting to see them be more comfortable with knowing how to go about potentially getting involved in NIL.

“… I’ve seen just more student-athletes comfortable engaging in the space and knowing ways to go about it.”