What happens when sports end but life keeps going? 🤔
In Episode 31 of Live with TY, I sit down with Mark Koesterer, founder of The Players NIL, to talk about the 98% of athletes who don’t go pro and how Gen Z athletes can leverage NIL to build a personal brand that lasts not just 4 years, but 40.
We dive deep into:
• Why engagement matters more than followers.
• How NIL isn’t just for the 2% of superstar athletes.
• The mindset shift from being “just an athlete” to being a whole person.
• Behind-the-scenes stories from films like The Dark Knight Rises, Moneyball, and 42.
• The legacy question every athlete should be asking: “If you disappeared today, would anyone care tomorrow?”
If you’re a student-athlete, Gen Z creator, or someone figuring out life after sports, this episode is for you.
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Check out our website here: https://livewithty.framer.website/
⏱️ Video Chapters
0:00 – Hot Take: NY Jets to the Playoffs
0:22 – Engagement over Followers (Gen Z Marketing)
1:05 – Welcome to Ep.31 of Live with Ty
1:35 – Guest Intro: Mark Koesterer & The Players NIL
4:02 – NIL Debate: Helping the 98% of Athletes
5:14 – Sports Lessons That Carry Beyond the Field
7:22 – Facing Adversity After Sports Ends
9:00 – Identity Beyond Athletics & Mental Health
9:26 – DM’s Open Segment: Advice for Athletes in Crisis
11:04 – Breaking into Sports + Hollywood (Networking & Legacy)12:29 – Iconic Film Moments (Moneyball, Dark Knight, 42)
14:51 – Authenticity on Film Sets & Sports Scenes
17:09 – Lessons on Teamwork & Leadership
18:34 – Why He Left Hollywood to Start Players NIL
21:03 – Building a New NIL Business from Scratch
22:27 – Why Focus on the 98% of Athletes
25:04 – Personal Branding Beyond the Game
28:00 – Helping Athletes Find Their Passion & Story
33:07 – Role of Social Media in NIL Success
37:54 – Followers vs Engagement: What Really Matters
39:44 – Building a Content Strategy That Works
40:56 – Beyond NIL: Helping Retired Athletes Build Brands
43:08 – What Success Looks Like (Confidence & Opportunity)
44:18 – Legacy: “If You Disappeared Today, Would Anyone Care?”
46:12 – Closing: Shoutouts & Next Steps