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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
