Play It Forward
Building Athlete initiatives Rooted in Development and
Student Success
O V E R V I E W
The future of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and athlete development remains complex,
demanding collaboration for a balanced and beneficial network. With the NIL market surging to an
estimated $1 billion annually, as reported by NIL company Opendorse, academic institutions,
collectives and the NCAA are leaning on collaborators to equip student-athletes with the necessary
knowledge, resources and tools to tackle this evolving environment.
With the ever-changing landscape of NIL, collegiate athletes are “feeling more discouraged
than ever about their ability to have a fulfilling career if they don’t “make it,” according to
the 2024 survey of current/former NCAA athletes.
The Kinship Advisors is introducing an initiative, Play It Forward, focused solely on education,
access and opportunity for reimaging success for the college athlete and the university athletic
experience. This program is positioned for building community, increasing collaboration and
providing key learnings that will improve the lives and experience of collegiate athletes, their
families, their teams and the institutions they serve to create a lasting impact beyond the sport
about the kinship advisors
Founded by 20-year sports, entertainment and personal development powerhouse,
Alexys Feaster, The Kinship Advisors has built an elite team of advisors and an
ecosystem of household leaders in sports, entertainment, entrepreneurship and
business who are focused on reaching back to provide better experiences for the next
generation.
Alongside a group of current and former athletes and the most seasoned sports
professionals from the NBA, NFL, Overtime, Nike and more, the team has a successful
track record of building or contributing to the most progressive and long-standing
player development programs in the country including the Rookie Transition Program,
Elite 100, Generation Next, Career Crossover as well as Draft Family Seminars and the
storied All-Star Family Experience
the kinship experience
While many institutions have one-off events or moments – a motivational speaker, a financial
seminar or a lesson on marketing – we’ve developed a holistic approach as a player development
partner to connect, elevate and build with our stakeholders. Our strategy allows organizations to
have a one-stop shop for creating relevant educational resources, coordinating and managing
programs with support, and providing opportunities for growth. This allows for greater impact and
a more significant return on investments.
We Connect
We utilize our extensive network in sports, entertainment, business and more to strategically align our clients with likeminded peers, partners and communities in need of our support.
We Elevate
We empower individuals to leverage their influence and enhance their brands to drive change, foster economic development, uplift local and national communities, and more.
We Build
We curate strategic plans and activations for individuals and organizations rooted in highlighting authentic self, thoughtful community engagement, long-term impact and lasting philanthropic ventures.
The Student Athlete is prioritizing responsible brand building, focusing on long-term career goals,
and seeking guidance from trusted advisors. We support their empowerment by providing tools and
knowledge to enhance their unique capabilities and influence. This will ultimately elevate their
legacy and that of the institution for which they play. Through curated strategic plans developed in
collaboration with institutions, we lay the foundation for success that extends beyond their athletic
performance.
Why you need to “play it forward”
The introduction of NIL brings new exposure and financial opportunities to collegiate athletes, but
many lack the necessary education and protection, leaving them vulnerable. A false sense of
security, coupled with a lack of focus on preparedness, underscores the need for alternative
learning opportunities to ensure access and support that leads to long-term success. The Kinship
Advisors is committed to helping institutions and organizations be on the right side of history by
prioritizing a whole-person approach to learning and engagement.
We know that having effective player support systems are crucial to address social and economic
disparities, protect collegiate athletes from exploitation and ensure player development remains a
central focus.
Universities and athletic departments must adapt their player development programs to
incorporate this type of NIL education, financial literacy, family resources, time management
skills, mindset support and future life planning engagements to ensure the success of their
athletes in and out of the game.
Program approach
The Play It Forward program is designed to complement the collegiate athlete experience and
provide tools and resources for finding success. The focus is on building and sustaining a legacy
for both the collegiate athlete and the institution. This approach optimizes personal and
professional growth, a community mindset and encouragement of familial relationships to ensure
every athlete has a strong foundation.
Examples of our program themes include:
Beyond the Playbook: Preparation x Opportunity
Offer tools and resources to support
learning about financial literacy and family
seminars/support.
What You Know & Who You Know
Engage influential voices in sports
through a speaker series while also
providing access to internship,
mentorship and apprenticeship
opportunities.
Mental Soundtrack: Own Your Story
Provide guidance to support the
development and maintenance of personal
branding through personality assessments,
and leadership mindset coaching.
Legacy, Legacy, Legacy
Introduce lessons in community
engagement, brand partnerships for
social good, philanthropy and foundation
planning to establish legacy as leaders
and contributors.
defining success
To navigate the evolving landscape of NIL regulations, student athletes and institutions must
connect with trusted advisors for guidance. Engaging The Kinship Advisors presents an
opportunity to deliver impactful support to athletes in this regard.
We know that despite the growing importance of NIL, there remains a significant lack of reporting
and information dissemination in this space. To address this gap, our approach involves
administering anonymous focus groups, surveys and soliciting honest feedback from players, their
families and various institutions. Our data-driven approach enables us to identify trends, address
concerns and facilitate meaningful growth across the entire NIL landscape.
Ultimately, our goal is to empower student athletes to make informed decisions about their
personal brands, leverage their voices effectively, and navigate the complexities of NIL regulations
with confidence and success.
“Fewer than 2 percent of NCAA student-athletes go on to be professional athletes. In reality, most studentathletes depend on academics to prepare them for life after college.” – NCAA Recruiting Facts
testimonial
ready to “play it forward”?
C O N N E C T . E L E V A T E . B U I L D . T R A N S F O R M
Alexys Feaster is a seasoned strategic leader with more than 20 years of
experience in elevating the voices of athletes, entertainers, and people and
organizations of influence. In 2021, she founded The Kinship Advisors to aid in
building an ecosystem of trusted advisors and household names in
leadership, entrepreneurship and business to create economic mobility and
opportunities for social and personal advancement. Her work involves
providing clients with resources beyond their respective platforms, working
with notable athletes like, Jaylen Brown, Napheesa Collier, Jrue and Lauren
Holiday, Ben Simmons, Dawn Staley and A’ja Wilson, to name a few.
Prior to founding Kinship Advisors, Alexys spent six years at the NBA and as
player programs lead for Team USA. She has been widely seen as the “NBA’s
Other Coach,” with a mission to empower player voices off the court,
providing resources, education and a clear path on how they can maximize
their engagement on teams, in their communities and in business.
for more information, contact
- alexys@thekinshipadvisors.com
