About Us

We help our clients Influence, Inform and Inspire the world.

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.

Contact us at: (703) 304-0298

OUR TEAM

Tara Sakraida Parker, Esq
CEO and Co-Founder

Tara is an experienced business attorney, professional gift planner, and successful nonprofit fundraiser living in Washington, D.C. For nearly a decade, Tara handled sophisticated real estate finance and land use regulatory issues as a business attorney. Before moving to D.C., Tara served as Director of Gift Planning and Director of Major Gifts at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she helped solicit and close one of the largest gifts to the UCLA College of Letters and Science.

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 Association, Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industry.

Todd “TJ” Calabrese

Co-Founder and Director of Strategic Partnerships

TJ grew up in a family of Division 1 athletes and coaches, and his own strong athletic ability was obvious at an early age. He 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. His personal experiences as a young person fuel his deep conviction to support student athletes by helping them make the best decisions for their futures and careers.

A licensed agent in 15 states, TJ is a relationship builder and a dealmaker who’s focused on achieving the best possible outcome for his clients with integrity. His background as an entrepreneur and in real estate give him a strong skill set and a wealth of relationships in business and sports that reach both broad and deep.

TJ is a native of the metropolitan D.C. area, where he loves exploring the region’s beautiful natural areas, especially its shores and waterways, playing golf, and rooting for Duke University’s Blue Devils and many of the national capital region’s pro teams. TJ also coaches little league football in Bethesda, Maryland, and hangs out with his rescue pup, Tito.

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.

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.