"Why I play": Use AI to win NIL publicity

Most NIL deals aren’t about how many points you score or what division you’re in. They’re about connection. How can you connect with a business’s audience or earn publicity that reaches it?

That starts with one simple thing: your story.

Your “why I play” story gives brands, fans and journalists reasons to follow, partner with and promote you. It also opens doors to pitch media as part of your PR plan.

Start here 📃

Start with a blank page or an AI tool like ChatGPT, Claude or Yupp, which lets you choose among several AI tools, and answer these questions:

• What made you fall in love with your sport?

• Why do you keep showing up when training gets tough, exhausting or frustrating?

• Has your sport and training changed you? How?

Write it. Record it. Post it. Share it where brands, fans and the media will see it. AI can help you brainstorm captions, pull quotes or create different versions of your story for different platforms. AI cannot and should not speak for you.

But Gail, you said to use AI. But you say I shouldn’t, too. I’m confused.

I get it. What I’m saying is to use AI to a point. Use it to help you organize your thoughts, but keep your voice your own. These tools are only meant to get you out of an idea jam, polish your copy or prep it for publicity. The goal is to make your story clear enough for people to connect with and remember.

Your story is the kind of thing that separates one profile from another and can jumpstart your PR momentum. That’s why AI is a valuable tool. It’s not a replacement for you.

👉🏼 This is the second part of a four-part series about how you can use AI to boost NIL opportunities as you head back to school. Find the first here.

I’m available to answer any questions about this and other NIL publicity topics. Thanks for checking out The NIL Edge. — g

© 2025, Gail Sideman, gpublicity.com, The NIL Edge

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