About Us
As former NCAA athletes, we understand and appreciate the needs of the student athlete in creating and promoting their NIL while on the journey to becoming a professional athlete.
As experienced NIL professionals, we will assist the student athlete in capitalizing and protecting their NIL throughout that journey.
OUR TEAM
Tara Sakraida Parker, Esq
CEO and Co-Founder
Tara worked her way through college and law school, and earned a number of academic, vocal music, and debate scholarships which made higher education possible. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. from Regis University, a Jesuit college in Denver, Colorado, and received a J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2003.
Tara is a 5th generation Oregonian from rural southern Oregon, and her education was key in opening many doors. She strives to live the Jesuit’s motto and “act in service to others,” supporting a number of nonprofit organizations in the Washington, D.C. community.
Tara is a member of the American Bar Assocation, Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industry.
Todd “TJ” Calabrese
Co-Founder and Director of Strategic Partnerships
TJ’s athletic ability was noticed at a young age, growing up in a family of Division 1 athletes. TJ played football and lacrosse for St. Johns College High School in Washington, D.C., and went on to play Division 1 football at the University of Toledo. TJ is a relationship-builder and dealmaker focused on achieving the best possible outcome for his clients with integrity. With a plethora of relationships in both the world of business and sports, his reach is broad and deep.
Elizabeth Kritza
Director of Operations and Strategic Growth
Elizabeth (Liz) Kritza is a sports professional and former collegiate coach with more than two decades of experience working in the collegiate sports world. She has been educating elite student athletes and their families about NIL since 2021, and consults for NIL startups. Liz is a sought after speaker at schools with world class athletic programs, educating about NIL and navigating the challenges of athlete representation. Liz served as the Head Volleyball Coach at Tulane University and University of Colorado building a reputation for resurrecting programs to elite level status. Her teams have won multiple conference titles with players earning national recognition. She has coached over 20 All-Americans and was named Coach of the Year multiple times by the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association), C-USA, and sportswriters organizations. At Tulane University, Kritza led the program in her first year as a head coach in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and all the seemingly insurmountable challenges that environment presented. Liz has served on many NCAA Ranking and All-American Selection Committees and was heavily involved in Diversity and Equity activities. A staunch advocate for youth involvement in sport, Liz supports many community and nonprofit endeavors promoting education and empowering young people, especially girls in sports. She served on the Board and was the Director of Girls First in New Orleans for many years. Kritza has a B.S. from Tulane University and an MBA from the A.B. Freeman School of Business.
Deric Davis
Director of Marketing and Strategic Planning
Deric is considered an influential figure in the sports marketing industry, recognized for his dynamic leadership style, strong relationships, and meticulous attention to detail. Deric’s early life, marked by a lack of guidance and mentorship, instilled in him a deep appreciation for supporting and mentoring others. Initially drawn to a career in law enforcement, his path shifted after receiving an offer to play college football. He quickly realized that effecting positive change begins with empowering youth and communities. Deric, a former Division 1 football student athlete at University of Oregon and Portland State, holds a degree in Communications. His own athletic and academic journey has equipped him with a strong foundation of knowledge and skills. With a keen understanding of the NIL industry’s ever-evolving landscape, Deric has foresight in identifying needs and opportunities for growth for his clients.
Brandon Grimes
Director of Player Personnel
Shari Ulery
General Counsel
In her role as a U.S. diplomat, Shari implemented U.S. policy as part of leadership teams working in challenging and complex political and security environments in Latin America, Asia, and Africa and at the U.N. She worked closely with U.S. government leaders and elected representatives, and forged productive relationships with elected officials at all levels of government. As lead in multilateral negotiations and interagency working groups, she developed strategies to implement U.S. policy goals in international organizations, balancing competing interests from political, governmental and civil society groups.
In her role as general counsel, senior corporate counsel and executive in both private corporations and in Fortune 500 public corporations, Shari managed legal department budgets and personnel, corporate contracts and compliance, helped develop and implement corporate strategy and goals, and managed the successful conclusion of numerous complex projects such as mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructurings. Shari also was special counsel at a boutique law firm doing real estate, contracts, land use and oil and gas, and was a registered lobbyist.
Shari received an M.A. in International Relations from the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, a J.D. from Drake University and a B.S. in Spanish from Iowa State University.
Marie Thomas
Director of Finances
Marie is an experienced Finance professional with two decades working in the finance and accounting field. She has worked in several industries including commodity and specialty chemicals, alternative energy and luxury jewelry.
Growing up outside Denver, Colorado, Marie was able to participate in many women’s sports. In high school she was part of the cross country team, the basketball team and the soccer team. After choosing her favorite sport, soccer, Marie earned a scholarship to the University of Southern Colorado in Pueblo, Colorado. She played four years for the Division II team while earning an Academic All-Conference award.
Marie graduated from University of Southern Colorado with a degree in Business Management.
Noelle MacNair
Communications Coordinator
Noelle is a seasoned educator with a Master’s Degree in Educational Policy and Administration from Portland State University. With twenty years of experience working for colleges and universities, including roles at Concordia University, she has a deep commitment to fostering inclusive learning environments for all students. Noelle’s extensive experience in communications and marketing within higher education has been instrumental in effectively reaching and engaging diverse student populations. She is particularly passionate about empowering first-generation college students to achieve their academic and professional goals. Noelle’s strategic approach to event planning and marketing, coupled with her proficiency in communications software, enables her to support students’ transitions into university and career, ensuring their academic and professional success.
AFFILIATE PARTNERS
Ahmal Marsh
Affiliate Professional Services
Being one of six children and growing up in a blue-collar family from Jamaica Queens, college seemed to be an unattainable goal for Ahmal. But through hard work and determination, he obtained a partial scholarship to and graduated from St. Johns University.
Today Ahmal is a father, husband, and the founding Managing Partner at SLUSA Productions. He is a performance driven marketing and creative executive in both the startup and corporate environments. In running his agency, he demonstrates and delivers visionary leadership, strategic expertise, and creative solutions for brands such as, CRUX KITCHEN, BMW, KIA, Viacom, Def Jam, Roc Nation, Uptown Magazine, Cult of Individuality, Discover Boating, and DETOUR. His focus is in designing and planning wide scale projects, and identifying new opportunities for growth, and developing value propositions that reposition brand recognition, and increase revenue.
Liam Dirlam
Affiliate Professional Services
Liam is an Art Director/Video Editor/Sound Engineer with over 12 years of work experience at NYC-based marketing agencies, multi-media production companies, and post-houses. His client list includes Nike, Reebok, Ralph Lauren, Puma, Beats by Dre, Sony Music, Def Jam, Google, SiriusXM, Panasonic, Viacom, Nat Geo, Red Bull, Apple TV+, Netflix, and Hulu. Liam has worked closely with artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa, The Black Keys, and Kygo. He can also throw a football a quarter mile.
Brian Calabrese
Affiliate Professional Services
As a former Quarterback for Georgia Tech, Brian understands how to command a team. Brian has over three decades of senior management experience working with some of the largest companies in the sporting world, including Under Armour and Riddell. Brian is a licensed NIL Agent and specializes in Sports Marketing and Brand Partnerships.
AFFILIATE PARTNERS
Pep Stanciel
Director of Prime 1 Sports Basketball
Chantel (Pep) Stanciel, Jr. is a dynamic entrepreneur and former professional basketball player with a passion for sports management and training. Graduating from Columbia College in 2016 with a degree in Sports Management, Pep embarked on a successful career playing basketball professionally in Europe for two seasons. In 2017, he founded Gol1ve, a renowned training and consulting business, where he has coached high-level athletes such as Michael Porter Jr, Isiaih Mosley, Aaron Rowe and Dajuan Harris. Additionally, Pep is the visionary behind Prise Academy, a prestigious prep school catering to both aspiring entrepreneurs and elite basketball players. With his extensive experience and dedication to excellence, Pep continues to make a significant impact in both the sports and business worlds.
Josh Walker
Director of Player and Family Relations
Joshua Walker hails from St. Louis, MO, and brings over a decade of experience in player and family relations within the sports industry. With a passion for fostering strong connections and providing unparalleled support, Josh has played a pivotal role in guiding over 200 athletes and their families through every step of their journey. Known for his unwavering commitment to understanding the unique needs of each individual, Josh has earned a reputation for building trust and delivering exceptional service. Josh’s expertise in navigating the complexities of high school and collegiate football and basketball, combined with his dedication to empower athletes and their families, makes Josh an invaluable asset to our team.
What is NIL
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contracts and deals refer to agreements between athletes and third-party entities, such as brands, businesses, or marketing agencies, allowing these entities to use the athlete’s name, image, and likeness for promotional or commercial purposes. These contracts and deals are essential for soon-to-be ranked college athletes for several reasons:
- Monetization: NIL contracts and deals provide opportunities for athletes to monetize their personal brand and image. Athletes can earn money by endorsing products, making appearances, participating in marketing campaigns, and more.
- Financial Support: College athletes can use NIL contracts to supplement their income, helping to cover expenses such as tuition, housing, and living costs, which are not covered by athletic scholarships.
- Career Building: NIL deals allow athletes to start building their personal brand and reputation early, even before they enter professional sports. This can open doors to future opportunities and career options beyond athletics.
- Recognition and Exposure: Working with brands through NIL deals can significantly increase an athlete’s visibility and recognition, both nationally and within their sport. This exposure can boost an athlete’s marketability and career prospects.
- Education and Experience: By participating in NIL deals, athletes gain valuable real-world experience in marketing, negotiations, and business, which can be a valuable asset in their future careers.
- Fair Compensation: NIL contracts empower athletes to receive fair compensation for their hard work and talent, addressing concerns about the exploitation of student-athletes by institutions and organizations.
- Control over Personal Brand: Athletes can choose brands and deals that align with their values and personal brand, ensuring they are comfortable with the products and messages they endorse.
In summary, NIL contracts and deals are important for soon-to-be ranked college athletes because they provide financial support, career-building opportunities, recognition, and exposure while allowing athletes to control their personal brand and receive fair compensation for their talents and hard work. These deals empower athletes to make the most of their name, image, and likeness both during and after their college careers.