By Sofia Chepenik
TAMPA – Every January, student-athletes at the University of South Florida gain financial and entrepreneurial knowledge through the annual BOOST Symposium, a program dedicated to name, image, and likeness (NIL) education.
Mercedes Sap, Coordinator of Student-Athlete Enhancement and NIL Student Services explained that BOOST Symposium is designed to help athletes navigate the world of NIL. The event covers topics such as financial literacy, entrepreneurship, contracts, and taxes, ensuring athletes understand how to manage their personal brands and business opportunities.
“NIL is the wild west, and the more that our students are prepared and they understand how to navigate taxes, contracts, legitimacy, legalization, stuff like that, it allows them to be more of a business of themselves,” Sapp said.
The symposium, which meets state and NCAA educational requirements, brings in experts from across the country to provide student-athletes with firsthand insights on how to maximize their NIL potential.
USF’s Enhancing U team, which focuses on student-athlete development through leadership, career growth, community service, and personal enhancement, organizes the event each year to equip athletes for success beyond their sports careers.
“I think it is valuable to student athletes because this is the future and it’s constantly going to change. … they can grow in more confidence and step into the world knowing these life skills that are absolutely transformable on and off their field of play,” said Sapp, explaining the importance of BOOST Symposium.