#245: Adam Cook, Campus Ink Sports - Inside Campus Ink: Where Athletes Become Brands

Adam Cook, Vice President at Campus Ink Sports, brings a rare mix of athlete, educator, and entrepreneur. A former collegiate volleyball champion turned Northwestern faculty member, Cook has spent his career helping student-athletes transition into leadership and brand ownership.Backed by Mark Cuban, Campus Ink is pioneering NIL merchandising through The NIL Store—giving every college athlete the tools to monetize their name, image, and likeness. From real-time merch drops to athlete education, Campus Ink is building the future of college sports branding. Chapters: 00:57 – Adam Cook's Background and the Origin of Campus Ink 03:45 – Navigating the NIL Landscape: Lessons Learned 07:57 – Understanding Campus Ink: Services and Offerings 09:42 – The Speed of Sport: Real-Time Merchandise Opportunities 11:14 – Building Relationships with Athletes 13:48 – Athlete Behavior and Engagement in NIL 16:19 – The Future of NIL and Campus Ink's Roadmap 19:47 – Fundraising and Growth Opportunities 22:05 – Emerging Opportunities Beyond College Sports 24:15 – Capturing Youth Athletes and Future Branding 26:26 – Memorable Merchandise Drops and Their Impact