The NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era has college athletes chasing big bags before ever going pro. For many, it’s life-changing money at just 17 or 18 years old.
Often, it’s not even the athletes themselves negotiating the deals. It’s their parents making moves behind the scenes, linking them with agents to maximize every opportunity.
But former NFL star Cam Newton recently pushed back against some of the financial advice being thrown around, specifically from entrepreneur Gary Vee.
Newton made it clear: for many African-American athletes, this isn’t just money, it’s first-generation wealth, and that changes everything.
Gary Vee’s NIL Advice
Gary Vee didn’t hold back when addressing the financial dynamics around young athletes and their families. He warned against kids focusing too much on supporting their parents instead of securing their own futures.
“Parents are the problem,” Vee said bluntly. “Not the coaches… Mommy and daddy get in your pockets, and by the time you’re talking to a kid, he’s making money for them because he loves them so much.”
According to Vee, this emotional pull limits athletes from maximizing their earning potential. He stressed that most college athletes only get one real chance to cash in, and many waste it between their freshman and senior years.
“For a lot of them, it will be their last bag,” he said, suggesting most won’t make it to the pros or capitalize on the transfer portal. Instead, he believes they often self-sabotage under pressure, failing to build long-term financial security during their short NIL window.
Cam Newton Said the NIL Advice Is Unrealistic
Cam Newton didn’t shy away from calling out Gary Vee’s advice as unrealistic. While he respects Gary’s work, Cam believes the entrepreneur simply doesn’t understand the pressure and background most young African-American athletes come from.
“I’m a fan of Gary Vee,” but “he’s wrong,” Cam said in response. His biggest issue? Telling athletes to ignore their parents just isn’t grounded in reality.
“A lot of times, athletes, primarily African-American athletes, they’re first-generation money makers,” Cam explained. “So for you to tell a kid who’s now coming into money to tune your parents out, that’s not really realistic.”
He emphasized that while these athletes might appear rich on paper, mentally and emotionally, they’re still carrying the weight of generational struggle. “Even though you have a lot of money physically or financially, mentally you’re still broke, and your circumstances around you, the individuals, are broke as well.”
Cam believes Gary Vee overlooked the reality of unequal starting points. “Everybody’s situation is completely different. This is our way out. It’s either rap or go to the league.”
His advice? Financial literacy and mental freedom are what truly matter. Because having money means nothing if your mindset, and your community, stay trapped in the same cycle.
In the end, Newton isn’t just defending these athletes. He’s defending their entire reality.
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