E63: Sports Investing Explained: NIL Money & Athlete Wealth

Sports is no longer just entertainment; it’s an economic engine. In this episode, we explore how NIL deals, athlete branding, and “Athlete Family Offices” are reshaping wealth creation in the sports world. Elizabeth Quanaim of Robin Glen joins us to explain the financial realities behind the headlines, from seven-figure college deals to managing short, high-earning careers. If you’re a mid-stage investor seeking differentiated insight into alternative investing strategies and emerging asset ecosystems, this episode offers a practical perspective into how the business of sports now intersects with serious wealth planning. This is not about betting on games; it’s about investing in the business of sports.

About Our Guest: Elizabeth Quanaim, Partner at Robin Glen

Elizabeth Quanaim is a Partner at Robin Glen, where she specializes in tailored life insurance solutions that safeguard businesses, families, and legacies across generations. With a background in psychology and clinical social work from the University of Texas and experience as a collegiate volleyball player and coach, she brings both strategic insight and a collaborative spirit to her work. Elizabeth partners with entrepreneurs, attorneys, and advisors to design innovative strategies for succession planning, executive benefits, and charitable giving. Her approach blends technical expertise with a passion for helping clients build enduring wealth and security.

Connect with Elizabeth Quanaim on LinkedIn:   / elizabeth-quanaim  

Top Takeaways
-NIL has created a new capital ecosystem
-College and even high-school athletes now earn meaningful income—unlocking new financial planning and investment spillover opportunities.
-Athlete wealth is fragile, fast, and finite
-Injury risk, short careers, and sudden income spikes demand specialized strategies—and create demand for niche advisory services.
-Sports investing is not betting—it’s business
-The real opportunity lies in branding, advising, financial products, and athlete-driven enterprises—not scoreboards.
-Women’s sports are a growth market, not a charity case
-Viewership, NIL activity, and sponsorships in women’s sports increasingly signal commercial viability, not novelty.
-Financial literacy is now a competitive advantage
-Young earners who understand taxes, contracts, and anchors for long-term wealth will outperform peers with similar talent.

Notable Quotes
“If your body is your asset, you’d better protect it during its earning years.”
“The money starts young now—and when money starts young, mistakes get expensive.”
“Sports investing isn’t about games. It’s about ecosystems.”
“Not everyone goes pro…but access to opportunity lasts longer than any career.”

Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to Alt Investing Made Easy
01:05 – What Robin Glen actually does (and doesn’t)
02:28 – The rise of Athlete Family Offices
03:28 – Life as a D1 athlete at Texas
05:00 – NIL money changes everything
06:36 – How UT manages NIL responsibly
08:40 – How much money can athletes make?
10:58 – The transfer portal becomes a marketplace
13:00 – Financial literacy for young earners
15:42 – Athlete income = tax complexity
18:59 – Injury risk & wealth preservation
21:39 – Women’s sports as an emerging asset class
25:30 – Early specialization & junior sports economics
31:47 – Sports as an alternative career channel
35:34 – Elizabeth’s “why”

Credits
Sponsored by Real Advisers Capital, Austin, Texas
If you are interested in being a guest, please email us.

Podcast Production by Red Sun Creative, Austin, Texas: https://redsuncreative.studio/

Disclaimers
“This production is for educational purposes only and is not intended as investment or legal advice.”

“The hosts of this podcast practice law with the law firm, Ferguson Braswell Fraser Kubasta PC; however, the views expressed on this podcast are solely those of the hosts and their guests, and not those of Ferguson Braswell Fraser Kubasta PC.”

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