From Ven Johnson
I have been a lawyer for personal injury for almost four decades. I stood in countless court halls, fought hard for justice and built a company that refuses to resign. But long before I ever entered a courtroom, I learned to dig deeply on a tennis court, which it meant to dig deeply with heart.
I picked up a racket at the age of five – and I was thrilled. Tennis not only taught me discipline; It taught me how to win with humility, lose with Grit and continue to urge when everything is at stake. It gave me the basis for who I am today.
When I played for the Kalamazoo College, I didn’t think about sponsorship or social media – neither existed. I focused on improving my game, my grades and me. That’s what a student athlete was about. But let us be real: things have changed.
Today’s college athletes are not just students who juggle practices and exams. They navigate in the national spotlight, demand travel plans and the high -pressure world of Nile (names, image and similarity). This visibility brings opportunities, but it also brings enormous pressure to make large decisions early on and find out who you can really trust.
Here is the conclusion for those who want to sponsor with a NIL deal: writing a check is easy. The financial support of student athletes is important, but it is not enough. As mentors, supporters and people appear? That is the step that counts. If student athletes are supposed to thrive, they need support that deals with their academic success, their mental health, their personal growth and their future beyond tennis.
That is why I decided to support athletes like Ozan Baris and Matthew Forbes, two of the top tennis stars of the Michigan State University (MSU), not only with zero deals, but with mentoring and a meaningful relationship on the common respect, common values and relentless hustle.
Ozan’s story speaks for itself. As a first -class junior from Okemos, Michigan, he was brought up by a single mother who gave everything so that he could follow his dream and drove him to tournaments across the country from the age of nine. Even after winning a Junior Us Open Double title, Ozan decided to stay near home and visit MSU, because the family comes first. That is character.
Matthew’s story is also inspiring. As one of the few players of African Americans who win the prestigious Kalamazoo state members -a tournament that many professional career started -he already has as a newcomer to the top 40 National College players. But what distinguishes him is his clarity, his work ethic and his drive to be great. Not just on the pitch, but in life.
These young men are wild competitors. But more than that are grounded, concentrated and ready to grow. I want to adapt that and in which I invest.
Sure, NIL deals help with travel expenses and training costs, but for me it goes deeper. It’s about saying this athlete: I see you. I believe in you. I have your back. I am proud to be a mentor and friend of Ozan and Matthew and to talk to them about setbacks, big decisions and everything in between. I share lessons from tennis, law and life and remind them that their value goes far beyond ranking lists or the results match.
So to the next generation of tennis players and every student athlete who weighs a zero deal, I would say the following:
- Research your research. Don’t just look at the money. Take a look at the person or company that offer the deal. What do you stand for? Do your values match your?
- Rate the relationships about the income. The best partnerships go beyond financial support. Find someone to look after you and support you for you.
- Be selective. Not every zero deal is the right fit. Prioritize those who are in the core you are.
- Think in the long term. Your sporting career is a chapter in her history, not the whole book. Surround yourself with good people who help you write the rest of it.
It’s not just about business for me. It’s about legacy. And the legacy is built on and next to the square by the next generation of managers. To Ozan, Matthew and student athlete everywhere: continue. Fight on. You have what it needs and I am proud to be in your corner.
