NIL Edge Interview - Justin DiTolla - California - Associate Athletics Director, NIL
A partnership between NILNewsstand & Digital Sport by Hot Paper Lantern
NIL Edge is a new interview series from NILNewsstand and Digital Sport by Hot Paper Lantern that spotlights the professionals shaping the future of college sports. From NIL directors to athletic directors, brand executives, and policy shapers, these conversations provide exclusive insights into how the industry is evolving in the NIL and revenue-sharing era.
NIL Edge Interview - Justin DiTolla - California - Associate Athletics Director, NIL
Featured Interview:
In this episode of NIL Edge, we sit down with Justin DiTolla, Associate AD for NIL at Cal, to break down what it actually looks like to operate an NIL and revenue share model inside a Power Four athletic department. With a background in compliance and now leading Cal’s NIL efforts, Justin offers a real-world perspective on how roles, responsibilities, and priorities have rapidly evolved.
At the center of the conversation is a major shift: NIL is no longer just education and brand-building—it’s now intertwined with revenue sharing, contract management, and cap strategy. That evolution is forcing departments to operate more like professional front offices, often without a clear blueprint.
We also explore how schools are approaching athlete education, where real NIL opportunities are coming from, and how departments are thinking about “above the cap” strategies in an increasingly competitive landscape.
What to Expect (Key Takeaways):
Why NIL roles are evolving into full-scale front office positions, including contract negotiation and cap management
How athlete education, branding, and revenue share are all connected in building a complete compensation model
Where the most realistic NIL opportunities exist today—and why local businesses remain a key driver
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Interested in being our next Guest? Let us know at info@nilnewsstand.com