Kalei Mahi: Closing the NIL Education Gap for Student-Athletes

Kalei Mahi is closing the gap that's leaving too many student-athletes unprepared for NIL.


A former record-holding Division I athlete, Kalei has spent more than 15 years working with some of the world's biggest brands — AT&T, The Coca-Cola Company, Sony, Lexus, AB InBev, and American Express — along with award-winning agencies like Team One and The Many. She later brought that experience into the influencer world, developing campaigns for YouTube, Google, Sephora, eBay, Bang Energy, and many others.


Today, as Founder and Chief Legacy Officer of NextGen Legacy NIL, Kalei is on a mission to help student-athletes understand their value and make smart, informed decisions that set them up for what comes after retirement from their sport.


She teaches athletes how to build brands that get noticed and helps them understand what companies look for when choosing brand partners. She also works with universities to design NIL incubators that offer consistent resources and strengthen recruiting and retention.


In this episode of The Standard Podcast™, we dive into:

• The biggest lie the NIL industry is selling student-athletes
• How to protect your value in NIL partnerships and contracts
• What companies actually look for when choosing brand partners (it's not just follower count)
• Why most student-athletes aren't prepared for the business side of NIL
• How families can support their athletes without being taken advantage of
• What universities should be doing to prepare athletes for NIL
• Building brands that last beyond your playing days

Kalei's mission is clear: help athletes understand their value and make smart, informed decisions that protect their future.


This is raw. This is real. This is the truth student-athletes and families need to hear.


Connect with Kalei: Company: NextGen Legacy NIL


Support the show (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2549070/su...)


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ABOUT THE STANDARD PODCAST™: This isn't motivation. This is a movement. Hosted by Erin Sarles and Thomas Roe, co-founders of Blueprint to Bluechip™, The Standard Podcast™ calls out the lies culture sold athletes and raises a new standard in sports, leadership, and life. We bring raw, truth-packed 20-25 minute conversations about identity, discipline, and legacy that goes beyond the scoreboard.


New episodes drop every Monday.


Raise the bar. Rebuild the culture. Become the standard.