College athletics is undergoing its biggest transformation in decades, and athletic departments can no longer rely on yesterday’s playbook to compete in today’s NIL era. In this thought-provoking Sports Business Journal op-ed, Stephen Bienko argues that the future of college sports depends on reimagining athletic departments as both mission-driven organizations and revenue-generating businesses. With NIL, revenue sharing, […]
The NIL era has created unprecedented opportunities for student-athletes, but success requires far more than signing endorsement deals or growing a social media following. In this interview with CanvasRebel, Stephen Bienko shares the personal experiences that inspired him to build 42U and his mission to help student-athletes discover who they are beyond the game. Drawing from his […]
The NIL era has created massive opportunities in college athletics — but it has also exposed how unprepared many student-athletes are for the business side of sports. In this episode, Stephen Bienko shares how his company is helping college athletes navigate the fast-changing world of Name, Image, and Likeness through personal branding, athlete development, financial […]
NIL has transformed college athletics, but the biggest challenge may not be sponsorship deals or athlete compensation — it may be athlete development. In this episode, Eric sits down with Stephen Bienko to discuss the future of NIL, personal branding, athlete identity, and the growing pressure facing today’s student-athletes. The conversation explores how Name, Image, […]
College athletics has entered a new era — one where NIL, personal branding, and social media are reshaping the future of sports. In episode 234 of the Sports Management Podcast, Stephen Bienko joins the conversation to discuss how student-athletes are navigating the rapidly changing world of Name, Image, and Likeness. A former dual-sport athlete, entrepreneur, […]
The NIL landscape is evolving — and success in college athletics is no longer defined only by social media followers or viral moments. The future belongs to student-athletes with strong personal brands, leadership skills, and sustainable brand identity. In this episode of the SEEN Saturday Series, host Kathrine Nero sits down with Stephen Bienko, a […]
In the summer of 2024, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights For Life program, led by Carey Loch, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development and Success, partnered with a company named 42U in an alliance which augments the work her office performs daily in support of student-athletes. Scarlet Knights For LifeThe vital mission of Scarlet Knights For Life remains one of […]
In the new era of college athletics, Rutgers is taking a key step toward helping athletes with their personal branding. The Scarlet Knights have announced a partnership with New Jersey-based 42U. Through 42U, Rutgers athletes will have access to personal branding workshops, life after sport support and personal branding kits. They will also receive a psychological assessment, which […]
he NIL era is transforming college athletics far beyond endorsement deals and social media sponsorships. In this episode of Highway to NIL, Troutman Pepper Locke attorneys Cal Stein and Chris Brolley sit down with Stephen Bienko — former Division I athlete and founder of 42U — to discuss the future of NIL, student-athlete branding, athlete […]
