In a recent interview on the "Wake Up With Dee Morning Show", LaTavius Powell, CEO of CSG Wealth Management, provided an overview of the exploding name, image and likeness (NIL) landscape for student-athletes while stressing the urgent need for financial education to safeguard their earnings.
Powell, a Georgia Southern University alumnus with a bachelor's in business administration (human resource management emphasis) and a master's in business administration, has been in financial services since 2004. He has advised professional athletes for 16 years, including nine Super Bowl champions and clients who participated in 10 of the past 12 Super Bowls. Beyond finance, Powell is expanding into entertainment as an executive producer on the upcoming spy thriller "The Mark," starring Jessica Alba and backed by Will Smith's Westbrook Studios.
The discussion focused on NIL, enabled by legislation roughly five years ago that allows college and high school athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness, reversing long-standing NCAA restrictions.
Powell underscored the market's scale: "In 2025, NIL collective revenues [are] projected to be one point eight billion dollars."
He shared examples from his practice, including a 16-year-old client earning $500,000 and college athletes securing deals up to $5 million. Yet he warned of parallels to professional sports pitfalls.
"The scary part is the financial literacy education isn't coming with that," Powell said. "So what I'm seeing is the same statistic that you saw in pro sports ... probably around the same percentage."
He described exploitation risks, such as predatory high school contracts that extend into college and pro careers, entitling third parties to future earnings percentages without proper representation. Schools, he noted, sometimes undervalue offers; in one instance, Powell helped a player leverage the transfer portal to increase compensation from $150,000 to $500,000.
Powell outlined protection strategies: building and monitoring credit, strict budgeting ("like boundaries to a river"), disability and life insurance for security and generational wealth, and proactive tax planning to offset high rates on 1099 income. He encouraged viewing oneself as a business for deductions and advised surrounding young athletes with strong legal and advisory teams.
For non-athletes, he advocated similar habits, credit maintenance, budgeting and insurance, to foster lasting wealth.
Powell invited contact from student-athletes and parents via Instagram (@lataviuspowell), phone (404-645-2700) or email (NIL@CSGWealth.com), emphasizing his commitment to education and support.
To listen to the full interview, click the link above.