In this episode of NIL Edge, we sit down with Brennan White, Assistant AD / General Manager for NIL Administration at Illinois State, to explore how NIL strategy looks outside the Power Four — and what it really takes to build sustainable opportunities for student-athletes at the FCS level. Brennan shares lessons from Illinois State’s recent football success, the realities of operating with limited resources, and why relationships remain the foundation of effective NIL programs. This conversation offers a practical look at how NIL programs can succeed without massive budgets — and why people, process, and trust still matter most in the evolving NIL landscape.Key takeaways

• How Illinois State built an effective NIL strategy at the FCS level — focusing on relationships, local partnerships, and intentional resource allocation rather than chasing volume.
• The role of community and local businesses in NIL success, and why regional partnerships often drive the most authentic and sustainable opportunities for student-athletes.
• How NIL leaders manage expectations and educate athletes, helping them understand value, ROI for businesses, and what “true NIL” looks like outside the Power Four ecosystem.

Watch or listen to the full episode below. All episodes are available to watch on Youtube and listen on Spotify. NIL Edge is also available on Apple and NIL Newsstand.

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