ProEdge Branding

As the NFL draft starts today, I wanted to relay a timely message! - ProEdge Branding To all the young men looking to get drafted or go as an undrafted free agent. Remember, Gods timing is ALWAYS right, and he said meet him half way. A lot of questions I personally had in 2015 didn’t get answered until 2018. It took me a year in a half from undergrad before I sign my first NFL contract and my life changing. Regardless, if you get drafted, called, or signed this weekend do not let that get to your head or discourage your hustle. I had to travel to a different country to get film, then conducted multiple workouts within the states while still working a full time job. It took a year for me to receive that call but I woke up every morning making sure I was READY as if that call was coming, then it finally did. My (2) advices: - Know Your “WHY”. - Prove Yourself Right. We get this precious blessing called life once. Although it is short, life can be very long as well. How to act and react to life situations alters your perspective of your goals! #nfldraft #linkedinsports #motivation #ProEdgeBranding

🌟 Testament of Leveraging your Brand Value Even through Obstacles, and how LinkedIn can transform careers and lives by connecting purpose with opportunity🌟 Lanny Smith was on the brink of his NBA dream signing with the Sacramento Kings in 2009 should have been his moment of triumph. Instead, just 33 days later, a career-ending knee injury forced him to pivot. What followed was an identity crisis, depression, and a defining moment: the realization that his value extended far beyond the game. He founded Active Faith, a $7M faith-based sports apparel brand, backed by Stephen Curry & Anthony Tolliver and later launched Actively Black, a movement dedicated to empowering and representing the Black community. 💡 The key to his success? - Leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to connect with decision-makers, share his vision, and monetize his brand value. By building authentic relationships, Lanny transformed setbacks into opportunities and turned his purpose into profit. His story is a reminder of LinkedIn’s power to amplify your mission and create meaningful opportunities. At ProEdge Branding we help athletes craft and monetize their brands through ProEdge Branding, I’m inspired by stories like Lanny’s, proof that purpose-driven branding creates lasting impact. 💬 How are you leveraging LinkedIn to build your legacy? Let’s connect!

Having a “game plan” before the “game” is crucial in all aspects. You never know when your clock will stop! Having a strategic plan and roadmap to properly monetize your brand value while you have the professional platform is very pivotal in your development. Not only on the field/ court but off the court, as well. Spencer Keith Jones and I, spoke about how he is building a legacy on and off the NBA court through personal branding and leveraging LinkedIn ! 💬 "I had a plan back in high school to use my God given talents to get me into a prestigious institution and we will see where it goes from there.." – Spencer Keith Jones At ProEdge Branding we exist to redefine what it means for elite professional and college athletes to succeed both on and off the field. Our Purpose is to empower athletes to recognize the immense value of their personal brand and leverage it strategically to open doors to unparalleled opportunities during their careers and beyond. 🏀 As a first-round NBA draft pick, yet still very early in his career, when he was at Stanford University he knew he needed to use his talents to prepare for life holistically starting with his personal brand beyond the game. #ProEdgeBranding #DenverNuggets #LinkedInSports #PersonalBranding #Sports #NBA #MoreThanAnAthlete #Stanford #basketball #marchmadness #NCAA

The first ProEdge Branding newsletter went out earlier this week! ✅ Sharing the newsletter here if you didn’t get the chance to read it yet. We hope everyone has a wonderful Easter weekend and thank you all for the support! 🔥 - ProEdge Branding Team

I recently spoke on the Coach JB Show about a topic that hits close to home: the stereotype of athletes not being financially smart 5 years after playing their respective sport. When asked what advice I’d give to a current or aspiring professional athlete, my answer came down to two key points: 1️⃣ Discover who you are beyond the sport. Your sport is what you do, it’s not who you are. Take the time to ask yourself, Who am I as a person? What are my passions? What is my purpose beyond the game? For me, that meant seeking guidance from God figuring out what his purpose on this earth is for me and leaning into the journey of uncovering my identity and brand outside of football. 2️⃣ Understand your "Why." This is HUGE! Why are you stepping onto that field, court, or stage? Knowing your purpose will keep you grounded when the fame, hype, or pressure threaten to take over. We’ve recently seen over the weekend how easily focus can shift—from demands like Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava $4M ask ultimately being cut from the team. To the heartbreaking loss of LSU’s Kyren Lacy to mental health struggles. These stories are reminders of how vital it is to stay rooted in what truly matters. As a former NFL player, I’ve walked the path many dream of, but I’ve also seen firsthand the challenges of navigating life beyond the game. It’s why I’m so passionate about helping others build a foundation that lasts. - ProEdge Branding #ProEdgeBranding #AthleteBranding #MentalHealth #Purpose #MoreThanAnAthlete #Sports #linkedinsports

🌟 Reflection Sunday 🌟 Today is the perfect day to set intentions and take a step back to think about your future beyond the game of the sport you play. 🏈🏀⚽ Question athletes often need to ask is: - What do you want your legacy to be when the final whistle blows? At ProEdge Branding, we believe your story is your brand. It’s never too early to start building your future by amplifying your voice and showcasing your unique journey. - What’s one thing you’ve done this week to invest in your future? #ProEdgeBranding #AthleteLegacy #ProEdgeReflection #InspireFuturePlanning #MoreThanAnAthlete #SportsMarketing

OK! Today is Freebie Friday! 🎉- ProEdge Branding Ready to elevate your personal brand on LinkedIn? - We’re excited to offer you our FREE ‘ProEdge LinkedIn Playbook’—packed with actionable tips to help you stand out to sponsors, brands, and industry professionals! ✅ What you’ll get: - Insider strategies for optimizing your LinkedIn profile. - Proven tips to connect with sponsors and employers. - A clear roadmap to make your brand shine! 🔗 List your email in the comments below to download your FREE playbook now and take your LinkedIn game to the next level. Want more? Check out our exclusive ProEdge Branding templates and checklists to build an irresistible LinkedIn presence. Participate in our weekly contest to win a FREE branding consultation! 👉 Don’t forget to tag a friend who needs to see this! Let’s grow together. #ProEdgeBranding #FreebieFriday #ProEdgeResources #AthleteBranding #LinkedInTips

Had a discussion at Google NYC addressing a multitude of topics but one of the main ones I enjoyed was about - Leveraging & monetizing your brand value while it is high❗️ As an elite professional or college athlete, your brand value and influence are at their PEAK during your playing career. It’s a pivotal time that unfortunately won’t last forever. The reality is, once you stop competing, your perceived value in the eyes of brands, sponsors, and industry leaders will often decrease. That’s why it’s absolutely essential to take full advantage of this window of opportunity to strategically build and monetize your personal brand while the spotlight is on you. At ProEdge Branding we exist by transforming athlete branding into enduring opportunities. Redefining what success looks like for athletes both on and off the field. 🌟 The athlete-entrepreneur era is here. The smartest players will be the ones who master it. Let us help you ! - ProEdge Branding #ProEdgeBranding #NIL #AthleteBranding #FinancialLiteracy #MoreThanAnAthlete #AthleteEntrepreneur #SportsMarketing #Google

Why is LinkedIn a game-changer for professional athletes? Marcus Peterson, MBA recently sat down with NBA athlete Spencer Keith Jones of the Denver Nuggets to talk about the real difference between platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Discussions on why athletes need to start showing up on LinkedIn more. While Instagram and TikTok are great for highlights and entertainment, LinkedIn is where long-term opportunities are made: - Lucrative Partnerships - Business deals - Speaking engagements - Career pivots It all starts with building your professional presence. Athletes are more than their sport and LinkedIn is the platform that helps showcase the full picture. Big thanks to Spencer for the great convo. Let’s keep shifting the narrative. 💼🏀 #ProEdgeBranding #AthleteBranding #LinkedInForAthletes #PlayerToProfessional #SpencerKeithJones #NBA #LinkedInSports #SportsMarketing #MoreThanAnAthlete

Marcus Peterson, MBA recently had the opportunity to join The Coach JB Show to talk about something that's shaping the future of sports: - How athletes today can be more innovative with their brand value and why financial literacy is critical! The biggest question athletes should be asking themselves (especially younger athletes) when navigating NIL and professional deals: 🚨- #1 Do I want to get a lot now, or do I want to get a little forever? Too many players, both in college and the pros prioritize short-term money over long-term growth. But what happens when that short-term bag runs out? The harsh reality is without the right strategy might gain $2M now but lose $20M later if you make the wrong decision in the future. At ProEdge Branding we help athletes make strategic decisions that balance immediate financial gain with long-term success. Here’s what I’m seeing between football & basketball (suggestions): 🏈 In football – Players should consider multi-year deals with universities to create stability. Taking the money and transferring puts athletes, schools, and the integrity of the game in a tough position. 🏀 In basketball – Too many players chase the highest NIL offer instead of choosing programs that will develop them for professional success. Choosing the wrong school for the wrong reasons can tank draft stock and cost players millions in their pro careers. We urge families, advisors, and athletes to properly think beyond the present dollar signs. NIL and brand deals are game-changing opportunities, but only if handled wisely. Development, infrastructure, and strategic planning matter just as much as the check. The athlete-entrepreneur era is here. The smartest players will be the ones who master it. #ProEdgeBranding #NIL #AthleteBranding #FinancialLiteracy #MoreThanAnAthlete #AthleteEntrepreneur #SportsMarketing