In this episode, Syracuse University Falk College sport management professors Rick Burton and Dave Meluni dive into the latest developments shaping the ever-evolving NIL landscape in college athletics. Joining the conversation are Val Ackerman and Stephen Bienko, who share insights on how name, image, and likeness is transforming the relationship between athletes, universities, conferences, and […]
In this episode, we sit down with Stephen Bienko, founder of 42U, an organization dedicated to helping student-athletes thrive in the evolving world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Stephen and his team specialize in guiding athletes through branding, marketing, and content creation — not just to build partnerships, but to create purpose and long-term […]
Stephen Bienko’s journey has been anything but traditional. A former decathlete, college football player at the Air Force Academy and Villanova, state trooper, franchise owner, and entrepreneur, Stephen now leads 42U — a company helping student-athletes navigate the rapidly evolving world of NIL, personal branding, and life after sports. In this episode, Stephen shares why […]
Stephen Bienko, founder of 42U, joins the Sports Business Leaders podcast to discuss how universities and student-athletes can better navigate personal branding, NIL, and life after sports. From his journey through the Air Force Academy and Villanova to building a company focused on athlete development, Stephen shares why leadership, mentorship, and identity matter beyond the […]
