#231: Austin Elrod Co‑Founder & President, TheLinkU | Protecting Athletes in the NIL Era

TheLinkU emerged in 2022 to guide colleges and athletes through the fast‑moving Name, Image & Likeness era. Built by Austin Elrod—whose background spans sports administration, operations, and sales—and co‑founder Troy Kyle, the SaaS platform handles compliance, marketing, and delayed‑payment services that help more than 1,100 athletes manage earnings responsibly. Partnerships with programs from Houston to UCLA highlight rapid traction, and the recent disbursement of $400 k in safeguarded NIL funds underscores a mission to “Champion Integrity in Every Play.”Core values drive every product decision: protect the athlete, protect the university, protect the sponsor. TheLinkU delivers turnkey financial‑literacy tools, NCAA‑compliant workflows, and real‑time reporting so athletic departments stay ahead of regulation while athletes build lasting legacies.Chapters: 02:41 – Navigating the Sports Industry: Insights and Challenges05:29 – The Evolution of LinkU: Services and Offerings08:10 – Preparing for Revenue Sharing: Insights and Strategies10:44 – Morgan Stanley Partnership: Financial Literacy for Athletes13:26 – The Impact of Revenue Sharing on College Athletics16:14 – Future of College Sports: Trends and Predictions18:49 – Focus on Female and Olympic Sports21:34 – Conclusion and Future Outlook