Operational Advisory

Support for leadership teams seeking guidance on NIL processes, contract structures, and coordination across stakeholders.

All Services

As NIL programs grow in scale and complexity, many athletic departments find that the day-to-day operational work surrounding governance, cap management, reporting, and stakeholder coordination requires significant time and specialized expertise.

Operational Advisory engagements provide structured support for these responsibilities while allowing athletic leadership to maintain oversight and strategic control. Starnes Sports helps departments establish clear operating frameworks, manage key processes, and coordinate activity across athletics, compliance, legal, collectives, and other stakeholders involved in NIL.

These engagements are designed for institutions that want help implementing and managing the operational side of their NIL program while ensuring that processes remain organized, transparent, and aligned with institutional priorities.

Example Engagement Models

NIL Governance Desk

Outsourced administration of NIL governance and cap operations for athletic departments seeking a structured and efficient operating model.

Typical responsibilities includes:

  • NIL Go administration
  • Cap and revenue-share tracking
  • Over-the-cap NIL documentation and approvals
  • Stakeholder coordination across athletics, compliance, legal, and collectives
  • Leadership reporting and dashboards

NIL Governance Desk+

Enhanced operational support that improves NIL program efficiency and governance.

Includes all “NIL Governance Desk” services, plus:

  • NIL activation playbooks
  • Process optimization
  • Staff and partner training
  • Quarterly governance and policy review

Complete Outsourced NIL & Cap Office

Full-service operational support providing a single point of accountability for NIL governance and cap management.

Responsibilities may include:

  • NIL Go administration
  • Revenue-share tracking and forecasting
  • Deal intake and documentation
  • Over-the-cap NIL activation management
  • Executive reporting to athletics leadership

Operating Partner Retainer

Hands-on implementation support for departments building or restructuring their NIL operating model.

Typical deliverables include:

  • Responsibility assignment matrix
  • Process design and documentation
  • Training and operational support
  • Implementation roadmap and milestone tracking