High School Edition
Missing The Pieces Studios × Out of Bounds
OUT OFBOUNDS
Don’t just tell athletes how valuable they can be to your movement. Show them how valuable your movement can be to them.
Prefer to read this as a document? Open the full PDF versions of Part One and Part Two.
01
Part One
The Strategic Message
From Need to Service.
A Frank Assessment
Out of Bounds has a powerful premise. It recognizes that elite athletes, fans, alumni and donors hold enormous economic and cultural power. It asks them to consider how that power can be used in service of their communities.
But if Out of Bounds is going to persuade highly recruited athletes and their families to make decisions that may affect NIL income, exposure, development, professional opportunity and family finances, the initiative cannot lead only with what it needs from them.
The initiative must also lead with what it is prepared to build for them.
That is the central strategic opportunity. The question cannot only be, “What can the athlete do for the movement?” The equally important question is, “What can the movement do for the athlete?” If that second question is answered with enough substance, the first question becomes much easier to answer.
The Core Problem
The current public-facing message can place the athlete in the position of being asked to carry a burden before a visible support system has been built around him or her.
A recruit may hear that his talent matters, his NIL value matters, his influence matters and his decision could have meaning beyond sports. A parent may hear something different:
“What are you doing to protect my child’s future?”That is not resistance to purpose. It is a reasonable question from a family making one of the most important financial, educational and athletic decisions of a young person’s life.
From Need to Service
Out of Bounds should evolve from a model that primarily communicates need into a model that demonstrates service.
Position of Need“We need your talent, influence and economic power.”
The athlete is asked to give first.
→
Position of Service“Here is what we are building around your talent, future and family.”
The movement demonstrates value first.
DON’T ASK FOR A SEAT AT THE ATHLETE’S TABLE.
BRING SOMETHING TO IT.
BRING SOMETHING TO IT.
The Problems We Must Solve
Six strategic gaps.
01The Ask Can Feel One-Sided+
The athlete is being told that his or her value can help the movement, the community and the larger cause. But the athlete’s immediate concerns are personal and practical.
- Will I receive the same level of development?
- Will I lose NIL opportunity?
- Will professional scouts still see me?
- Will I have access to elite training and recovery?
- Will I have experienced people in my corner?
- Will my family be financially protected?
- Will choosing differently hurt my path to the NFL, NBA or WNBA?
If we cannot answer those questions, we are asking for sacrifice before we have created support.
02HBCUs Can Be Framed as the Sacrifice+
When the conversation is presented as “turn down a major program and choose an HBCU,” the HBCU can unintentionally be positioned as the thing the athlete settles for.
- That framing weakens the value proposition before the family has even explored the opportunity.
- The story must move from “what you are giving up” to “what you are gaining and what we are building around you.”
- The experience, culture, relationships, alumni network, education, community and athletic opportunity must be made visible.
The goal is not to shame an athlete for wanting a major program. The goal is to make an HBCU choice more competitive, more visible and more viable.
03Athletics Must Lead the Athlete Conversation+
Athletes and parents enter recruiting conversations thinking about sports, education, money, development and professional opportunity. If the first experience feels like a political lecture, the audience may disengage before the deeper message is ever heard.
- Lead with recruiting, NIL, training, agents, money, contracts, development and life after sports.
- Provide real value even to families who have not yet bought into the broader movement.
- Let civic purpose be integrated honestly into an athlete-first experience instead of replacing the athletic conversation.
Earn their attention through service. Then use that relationship to have the deeper conversation.
04“Redirect Your Money” Is Not Enough+
Fans, alumni, donors and allies can be told where not to spend, but economic redirection becomes more compelling when people can see what their money can build.
- What does a redirected ticket purchase fund?
- What happens when thousands of fans move merchandise spending?
- How can redirected dollars strengthen HBCU athletics, NIL, scholarships, bands, student media and nearby businesses?
- How does that money circulate through communities?
People should be able to see the power of the money they move.
05Universities May Say the Political Demand Is Outside Their Control+
A university may argue that it does not control its state legislature, voting laws or district maps. That can create a stalemate if the only measure of institutional response is state-level political change.
- What is within the university’s control?
- What can athletic departments, collectives, sponsors and university leadership invest in?
- What can athletes negotiate for their communities in addition to their own compensation?
- What institutional actions can demonstrate that “we care about the athlete” extends beyond game day?
Do not abandon the larger demands. Add a second lane of measurable action.
06The Movement Needs an Entertainment Engine+
Policy language, redistricting and voting-rights advocacy are important, but they are not naturally built for sports audiences.
- The message needs recurring stories, personalities, stakes, debates, athletes, mentors and visible outcomes.
- Audiences should have reasons to watch every week, not only reasons to read a toolkit once.
- The movement needs content that can live in sports culture without reducing the seriousness of the underlying issue.
The goal is not simply awareness. The goal is attention, conversation, participation and sustained cultural relevance.
The Athlete Value Question
“Do I value myself?” should expand the definition of value.
Stars and rankingsCharacter and leadership
40 time and verticalVoice and influence
Touchdowns and pointsFamily and community
NIL valuationLong-term brand
FollowersRelationships and network
Draft projectionLegacy and impact
The movement should not merely ask athletes to recognize their value. It should help increase it.
The Standard for Any Future Solution
Does it reduce the athlete’s perceived or actual sacrifice while increasing opportunity, support and long-term value?
Strengthen exposure.
Create legitimate commercial opportunities.
Connect elite training + professional mentorship.
Document performance, film + measurable progress.
Create community-impact pathways.
Show exactly what redirected money builds.
What Success Looks Like
The strongest version is one where athletes and families can say:
“They helped me understand my options.”
“They helped me build my brand.”
“They connected me with people who had already reached the level I want to reach.”
“They helped me find training and exposure.”
“They helped create opportunities around my value.”
“They cared about my future, not just my decision.”
The Strategic Repositioning
→“We need you.” → “We are investing in you.”+
Move from an organization asking an athlete to solve the movement’s problem to one demonstrating that it understands the athlete’s problem and is prepared to help solve it.
→“Use your influence for us.” → “We will help expand your influence.”+
Build the athlete’s brand, story, media visibility and professional network so the relationship creates value in both directions.
→“Choose differently.” → “Let us help make that choice viable.”+
The objective is not to pretend every financial package is equal. The objective is to build enough additional value around the athlete’s future to make the HBCU pathway more viable.
→“Stand for your community.” → “We will help your success reach your community.”+
Connect athlete success to properly structured community-impact opportunities and visible economic outcomes.
→“Take a risk for the movement.” → “The movement will build support around your risk.”+
Training, mentorship, exposure, brand development, financial education, commercial opportunity, media support and people invested in the athlete’s future become infrastructure around the decision.
DON’T JUST TELL THE ATHLETE HOW VALUABLE THEY CAN BE TO YOU.
SHOW THEM HOW VALUABLE YOU CAN BE TO THEM.
SHOW THEM HOW VALUABLE YOU CAN BE TO THEM.
Part Two — The Created Solution
WE HAVE ALREADY CREATED THE SOLUTION.
Don’t just ask them to stand for something. Build something that stands behind them.
01 — The First and Most Immediate Engine
The Out of Bounds Playbook
The Education + Service Engine for all participating athletes.
If NAACP starts with only one piece, it can start here.
I know you have playbook, but this is a different type of playbook. The Playbook is the fastest part of the ecosystem to implement, place directly in athletes’ hands and support through underwriting. It gives NAACP an immediate way into high schools, college campuses, athletic programs, churches, town halls, youth organizations and community environments while the larger athlete and media ecosystem is being built.
The Out of Bounds Playbook is not a brochure asking athletes to support a movement. It is a 12-lesson development experience for all athletes—whether or not they become part of the selected Out of Bounds Athlete Class.
The Playbook serves everyone. The separate Athlete Development Engine provides the deeper network of mentorship, elite development, exposure, brand and NIL support, career preparation and commercial opportunity for selected athletes who choose the participating HBCU pathway.
SPORTS FIRST.
SERVICE BEFORE THE ASK.
SERVICE BEFORE THE ASK.
Collegiate and Professional Edition
For college athletes, professional athletes and former athletes.
Open the Collegiate and Professional Edition ↗How the Playbook Works
Each lesson combines a core teaching, athlete-centered questions, guided conversation and a real-world assignment.
Participants build a personal Power Shift Plan, 90-day action plan and support roster.
Mentors and professionals deepen lessons involving wellness, money, rights, contracts, branding and career preparation.
A consistent national framework leaves room for local stories, needs, resources and relationships.
NAACP-Led Playbook Conversations
Enter the environment. Deepen the conversation.
The Playbook should not simply be distributed to athletes. Whenever possible, NAACP representatives should enter high schools, college campuses, athletic programs, churches and community environments to guide the lessons and deepen the conversations.
This gives NAACP the opportunity to begin the conversation about why choosing an HBCU or non-SEC school matters while showing athletes the value NAACP is prepared to provide.
Before asking athletes to consider moving their talent, economic value and cultural influence toward HBCUs, NAACP demonstrates what it is prepared to provide in return: education, advocacy, mentorship, protection, relationships, commercial preparation and genuine support.
THIS PLACES THE NAACP IN A POSITION OF SERVICE FIRST.
Conversation Areas
- Athlete identity and mental wellness
- Recruiting and choosing the right opportunity
- HBCUs, PWIs and informed decision-making
- NIL and commercial preparation
- Financial awareness
- Athlete rights and advocacy
- Personal branding and reputation
- Leadership, community impact and life after sports
Not Another Lecture
These should be honest, athlete-centered conversations that allow participants to ask questions, discuss concerns and connect with people who can provide meaningful resources.
Preferred Model
Direct NAACP Participation
Whenever possible, trained NAACP representatives should personally lead or participate in Playbook sessions.
- Build direct relationships with athletes and their families
- Hear athletes’ concerns instead of making assumptions
- Identify needs The Power Shift ecosystem can address
- Connect athletes with mentors, professionals and opportunities
- Demonstrate consistent support beyond public campaigns
- Establish trust before introducing a larger organizational ask
Scale Model
NAACP-Certified Facilitators
Where direct NAACP representation is unavailable, NAACP can certify approved facilitators to deliver the Playbook experience.
Facilitators may include coaches, educators, counselors, church and youth leaders, former athletes, mental-health professionals, financial professionals, and NAACP chapter leaders or volunteers.
Preparation should cover the Playbook curriculum, athlete-centered communication, confidentiality, referral protocols and the boundaries of the facilitator’s role.
Service Before the Ask
The Out of Bounds Playbook gives NAACP an opportunity to lead with service and sports before leading with advocacy.
THE PLAYBOOK BECOMES THE NAACP’S ENTRY POINT.
THE POWER SHIFT BECOMES THE SUPPORT SYSTEM BEHIND IT.
THE ATHLETE’S INFORMED DECISION BECOMES THE OUTCOME.
THE POWER SHIFT BECOMES THE SUPPORT SYSTEM BEHIND IT.
THE ATHLETE’S INFORMED DECISION BECOMES THE OUTCOME.
The Playbook as the Story Engine
The Playbook can also serve as the story engine for Out of Bounds: The Power Shift. Each episode can connect to a Playbook lesson as athletes meet mentors, complete real-world assignments and reflect on what changed. The curriculum supplies episode themes while the athletes’ real decisions create the story.
02 — The Created Solution
Playbook + Athlete Development + Media + Economic Impact Ecosystem
Part One identified the strategic gap. Part Two presents the system Missing The Pieces Studios has created to answer it — an integrated ecosystem designed to make the athletic side of Out of Bounds more valuable to athletes, more useful to families, more watchable to audiences and more attractive to outside partners.
NAACP BRINGS THE MOVEMENT.
MISSING THE PIECES STUDIOS BUILDS AND RUNS THE ATHLETIC CREATIVE ENGINE AROUND IT.
MISSING THE PIECES STUDIOS BUILDS AND RUNS THE ATHLETIC CREATIVE ENGINE AROUND IT.
Center of the systemTHE ATHLETE
Out of Bounds Playbook
Give all participating athletes education, resources and guided conversations before asking them to support a larger movement.
03 — The Out of Bounds Athlete Ecosystem
A deeper support system for the athletes who take the stand.
The Playbook serves all participating athletes. The Athlete Development Engine is the deeper, selected-athlete support system for athletes who choose the participating HBCU pathway.
It puts the additional pieces around those athletes because of the sacrifice they made: mentorship, elite development, professional relationships, exposure, brand strategy and commercial preparation.
Initial target: approximately 5–8 athletes across football and basketball. Athlete agency remains central. The athlete and family make their own college decision. Before signing, the athlete and family can see the proposed Out of Bounds value package. The full athlete-development network activates after the athlete commits to the participating HBCU pathway, subject to applicable rules, contracts and compliance requirements.
THE QUESTION IS NOT ONLY: WHAT IS THIS ATHLETE WORTH?
THE QUESTION IS: WHERE DOES THAT VALUE GO — AND WHAT CAN IT BUILD?
THE QUESTION IS: WHERE DOES THAT VALUE GO — AND WHAT CAN IT BUILD?
DON’T JUST FIND THE ATHLETE.
FUND THE INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND THE ATHLETE.
FUND THE INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND THE ATHLETE.
What We Build Around Each Athlete
Pro Athlete Mentor
A current or former NFL/NBA/WNBA professional provides perspective, accountability, film conversation, professional habits and relationship continuity — including training access where appropriate.
Elite Development
Qualified skills/position coaches, current/former professionals, strength, speed, recovery and nutrition resources support development.
Brand + Story Development
Missing The Pieces Studios develops the athlete’s narrative, identity, content pillars, sponsor-ready story and media strategy.
Strategic Commercial Opportunities — Led by Missing The Pieces Studios
Missing The Pieces Studios identifies brand opportunities, develops the creative strategy, and creates sponsor-ready campaigns, commercials and branded content around the athlete. When NIL representation or deal execution is needed, qualified NIL partners can support negotiations and compliance while Missing The Pieces Studios leads the creative and commercial strategy.
Financial + Business Education
Professionals teach contracts, taxes, budgeting, representation, rights and long-term planning.
Film + Exposure
Game film, training footage, measurables and development footage are organized into a professional story of progression.
Community Impact
The athlete can connect success to causes and communities important to them through properly structured partner opportunities.
Funding the Athlete Network
The athlete ecosystem is designed to attract resources beyond NAACP’s direct program dollars.
Professional athletes + celebritiesMentorship, visibility, introductions, resources, philanthropy and executive-producer potential.
Businesses + corporate partnersCapital, internships, professional services, brand opportunity and properly structured commercial activity.
Training + performance partnersQualified development resources, clinics, coaching and performance support.
Media + distribution partnersProduction, promotion, exposure, distribution and licensing pathways.
DON’T ASK THE KID TO SACRIFICE ALONE.
ASK THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE IT TO SACRIFICE WITH THEM.Out of Bounds should not be built on the sacrifice of young athletes alone. It should be built on a network of people willing to sacrifice with them.
ASK THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY MADE IT TO SACRIFICE WITH THEM.Out of Bounds should not be built on the sacrifice of young athletes alone. It should be built on a network of people willing to sacrifice with them.
Why the Professional Network Matters
One of the strongest concerns a family may have is whether choosing an HBCU could reduce access to elite development or professional exposure. The ecosystem answers that concern with visible infrastructure rather than reassurance alone. The program does not promise a draft outcome. It builds and documents a professionalized development environment around the athlete to better prepare athletes to be next-level ready.
04 — Mentor & Influence Network
Turn relationships into organized contribution.
NAACP has longstanding relationships across sports and entertainment. Those relationships can become more than appearances: the ecosystem gives athletes, entertainers and corporate partners an organized way to contribute to athlete development.
LeBron JamesStephen CurryMichael JordanMagic JohnsonSerena Williams
Illustrative examples only — not commitments. The final mentor roster should be built around fit: sport, position, geography, personality and the athlete’s actual development needs.
05 — Why NAACP Is Already Positioned to Activate This
The pieces already exist.
THE VALUE OF MISSING THE PIECES STUDIOS IS NOT SIMPLY HAVING AN IDEA.
IT IS SEEING THE PIECES, CONNECTING THEM AND DESIGNING THE ENGINE.
IT IS SEEING THE PIECES, CONNECTING THEM AND DESIGNING THE ENGINE.
Missing The Pieces Studios developed this architecture from outside the organization: identifying the athlete problem, building the development model, designing the media properties, recognizing the funding opportunity, and then mapping existing NAACP relationships that could help execute it. With formal access to leadership, athletes, entertainment relationships, corporate partners and institutional resources, the opportunity becomes significantly larger.
Missing The Pieces StudiosCreative architect, brand strategist, original-format developer, athlete-story architect and ongoing overseer.
NAACP / Out of BoundsMission, institutional platform, athlete/community relationships, credibility and national reach.
Hollywood + Image Awards InfrastructureEntertainment relationships, studios, networks, producers, talent and production pathways.
Athlete / Celebrity Executive ProducersCredibility, mentorship, audience, relationships, financing potential and production experience.
Production CompaniesPhysical production, crews, post-production, documentary / unscripted expertise and delivery.
Camelot / Media + Corporate NetworkGo-to-market thinking, media strategy, advertising relationships and sponsor/media connections.
Corporate + Media PartnersOutside capital, athlete-development underwriting, sponsorship, distribution and commercial opportunities.
Illustrative athlete, entertainment and production relationships in the wider NAACP orbit include: Stephen Curry / Unanimous Media, LeBron James / The SpringHill Company + UNINTERRUPTED, Dwyane Wade / 59th & Prairie Entertainment, Gabrielle Union / I’ll Have Another Productions, Michael Strahan / SMAC Entertainment, Ryan Coogler / Proximity Media, Viola Davis / JuVee Productions, Colman Domingo / Edith Productions, Queen Latifah / Flavor Unit Entertainment, and Reginald “Reggie” Hudlin / Hudlin Entertainment. These examples are not commitments.
Internal NAACP infrastructure identified in the strategy includes: Eris Sims, the NAACP Hollywood Bureau led by Robin Harrison, and Thomas L. Kalahar / Camelot Strategic Marketing & Media — each representing a different bridge into organizational strategy, entertainment, sponsorship, media and scaling.
06 — Out of Bounds Media
The Content Engine.
The athlete ecosystem creates the substance. Out of Bounds Media creates the audience. Missing The Pieces Studios turns athlete power, HBCU investment, policy accountability, mentorship, money, development, culture and measurable impact into recurring stories people can follow.
OUT OF BOUNDS MEDIA MAKES THE MOVEMENT VISIBLE:
WHO HAS THE VALUE. WHERE THE VALUE GOES. WHAT THE VALUE BUILDS.
WHO HAS THE VALUE. WHERE THE VALUE GOES. WHAT THE VALUE BUILDS.
Standalone Premium Docuseries
OUT OF BOUNDS: THE POWER SHIFT
A premium documentary series that begins at the moment an elite athlete chooses the HBCU pathway — then rewinds to reveal why. Each story asks what can happen when an athlete redirects his or her value toward an HBCU and a movement is prepared to stand behind that choice with opportunity, resources, mentorship, exposure and a professional network. The series follows the athlete forward so the audience can see whether the promise becomes real.
Season8 × 45–60 minute episodes
Primary CastApprox. 5–8 athletes + families, coaches and mentors
Visual LanguageSigning day, games, training, film, HBCU life, brand work
Narrative SpineStand → Value → Why Here → Experience → Full Package → Network → Build → Proof
EP. 1
THE STAND
Open on signing day. The athlete with major options chooses the HBCU. The season asks why — and reveals the pathway built around the choice.
EP. 2
VALUE
Recruiting attention, ticket sales, television, NIL, social reach, merchandise and the deeper question: where can that value build?
EP. 3
WHY HERE
An affirmative story of the HBCU choice: opportunity, culture, history, relationships, academics, leadership and community.
EP. 4
THE HBCU EXPERIENCE
Campus, locker room, coaches, teammates, band, traditions, academics, alumni, Black excellence, businesses and game-day culture.
EP. 5
THE FULL PACKAGE
Put the real economics on screen and show the complete package: mentorship, development, brand strategy, exposure, financial education and access.
EP. 6
WHO’S IN YOUR CORNER?
The athlete meets the professional mentor, trainers, brand team, business/financial resources and the network standing behind the choice.
EP. 7
THE BUILD
Training, film, mentorship, sponsor-ready storytelling, commercial activation and financial education move from proposal to execution.
EP. 8
PROOF
Follow games, development, film, audience growth, commercial activity, mentor contact, impact and early results. The next class can see the route.
THE POWER SHIFT BOARDRecurring accountability device
Mentor Access
Training
Commercial Opportunities
Brand Growth
Film + Exposure
Community Impact
Development Milestones
Cold-open idea: Signing day. Five caps on the table. The athlete reaches past the major-program caps and chooses the HBCU. “I know what I bring. I know what I’m worth. I wanted my value to mean something where I went.” Then the series reveals what the movement builds behind the decision.
Flagship Weekly Studio / Digital Show
THE REVIEW BOOTH
A sports-desk show that puts the issues at the heart of Out of Bounds under review: public policies affecting Black communities, voting power and representation; institutional responses; college-sports economics; athlete value; and the movement of money. Hosts, analysts and guests use the familiar language of sports officiating — whistles, flags, replay, evidence and rulings — to make serious civic and economic issues understandable, watchable and shareable.
Format30–45 minutes weekly + modular social clips
Visual IdentitySports desk, replay monitor, telestrator, scoreboard + flags
Episode SpineOpening Call → Tape → Argument → Field Report → Challenge → Ruling → Scoreboard
Production LogicOne hub supports desk, field, athlete and campus storytelling
The ScoreboardPolicy Money
Who funds, benefits from or bears the economic consequences of a policy or institutional decision when the facts can be documented.
The ScoreboardAthlete Value
Ticket sales, media attention, merchandise interest, donations, NIL activity and other measurable value athletes help generate.
The ScoreboardMoney Moved
Resources redirected toward HBCUs, athletes and communities — and what those dollars actually helped build.
FLAG ON THE PLAYCHALLENGE FLAGTHE ATHLETE ROOMTHE SCOREBOARD: FOLLOW THE MONEYOUT OF BOUNDS RESPONSE
Cold-open language: “Hold on. Flag on the play. A new policy is on the field… Let’s put the policy under review.” The desk examines the language, data, competing arguments and NAACP response, then ends with the next play Out of Bounds is running.
Standalone Live Event + Broadcast Experience
OUT OF BOUNDS LIVE
The live-event arm of the platform. It is used for selected campus stops, classics, sports weekends, conventions and special events where the audience can experience the movement in person while the media team captures stories for later use across Out of Bounds Media.
FormatSelected live events throughout the year
ExperienceHost stage, athlete/mentor talks, music, culture, tailgating, sponsors
CaptureInterviews, athlete stories, campus culture + impact pieces
ExecutionMTP develops creative concept; event/production vendors execute physical production
LIVE HUDDLEMENTOR MOMENTHOME FIELDTHE MONEY MOVENEXT PLAY
Live promise: The audience sees the campus, culture, athletes and local businesses — and a highly recruited athlete can sit down with someone who already made it to the league, not to choose a school for the athlete, but to help prepare them for wherever the decision takes them.
07 — Social-First Content System
Depth from flagship shows. Frequency from social.
FLAG ON THE PLAYCHALLENGE FLAGMENTOR MINUTESDEVELOPMENT CHECKVALUESCOREBOARD: FOLLOW THE MONEYHOME FIELDFILM ROOM
08 — Live Activations, Campus Visits & Tours
Out of Bounds Live
Campus and event stops built around the location and audience.
Athlete + Parent Sessions
Recruiting, development and professional-pathway conversations.
Mentor Training Days
Filmed clinics and athlete development with professional mentors.
Partner Showcases
Connect brands, athletes, HBCU programs and approved commercial opportunity.
Community-Business Features
Game-weekend storytelling tied to local economic impact.
Draft / Development Prep
Preparation experiences where appropriate and compliant.
NAACP Convention Integration
Major NAACP event activations where approved.
Content Capture
Every activation can feed the wider media system rather than exist as a one-off event.
09 — Why Missing The Pieces Studios Should Run the Athletic Creative Division
The mission already exists. Our job is to make people want to be part of it.
Missing The Pieces Studios takes what Out of Bounds already is and makes it more attractive to the people NAACP needs to reach — athletes, families, audiences, brands, media partners and investors. We do not change the mission. We build the strategy, stories, experiences and opportunities that make people want to engage with it.
THE GOAL IS NOT TO ADD SPORTS CONTENT TO NAACP’S PLATE.
THE GOAL IS TO GIVE NAACP A PARTNER WHO OWNS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BUILDING IT.
THE GOAL IS TO GIVE NAACP A PARTNER WHO OWNS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF BUILDING IT.
The Role
Creative Architect + Athlete Ecosystem Coordinator + Ongoing Overseer
Dedicated outside brand-strategy, original-development, athlete-story, relationship-coordination and content leadership for the athletic portion of Out of Bounds.
Brand strategy for the athletic movement.
Original IP and format development.
Athlete story and personal-brand architecture.
Creative direction and story oversight.
Show and segment development.
Sponsor and partner storytelling concepts.
Creative coordination with production resources.
Activation and live-tour creative support.
Year-over-year development of new properties and extensions.
Packaging stories and properties for corporate partners, media companies and distributors.
Athlete + partner relationship coordination: organizing and coordinating athlete meetings, mentorship sessions, introductions, training opportunities, business connections, brand conversations, content appearances and other approved opportunities across the professional athlete, celebrity, business, brand, training and media network.
MISSING THE PIECES STUDIOS IS NOT THE CAMERA CREW.
IT IS THE CREATIVE ARCHITECT, BRAND BUILDER AND ONGOING STORY ENGINE.
IT IS THE CREATIVE ARCHITECT, BRAND BUILDER AND ONGOING STORY ENGINE.
10 — How This Platform Can Pay for Itself
Build an asset capable of attracting outside capital and media value.
The financial opportunity is larger than content production. The ecosystem creates sponsorable, licensable and fundable assets around athletes, media, live experiences and community impact.
$500K
2 Founding Corporate Partners × $250,000
Illustrative use: platform underwriting, athlete development and media.
Illustrative example — not a forecast.$300K
4 Supporting Sponsors × $75,000
Illustrative use: segments, live stops, training and social content.
Illustrative example — not a forecast.Founding platform sponsorships
The Review Booth sponsorship + segments
The Power Shift distribution + licensing
Out of Bounds Live sponsorships
Social-content sponsorships
Legitimate athlete NIL + brand partnerships
Training / development underwriting
Corporate community-impact commitments
Eligible philanthropic / program support
Media + content licensing
Future specials + derivatives
Approved format extensions
That changes the financial question from:
“What does this content cost?”
to “What can this platform attract, fund and become?”
“What does this content cost?”
to “What can this platform attract, fund and become?”
The Most Immediate Revenue Pathway
Playbook Underwriting
A service that can help pay for the service. Corporate partners, foundations, professional athletes, sports organizations, local businesses and donors can underwrite Playbook copies for athletes and communities. The participant can receive the Playbook at no cost while Missing The Pieces Studios is paid for every sponsored copy and the creative system around it.
| Sponsorship | Distribution | Working Price |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Workbook | One printed copy | $24.99 |
| School Sponsor | Up to 250 workbooks | $8,500 |
| Community Sponsor | Up to 500 workbooks | $17,500 |
| Campus Sponsor | Up to 1,000 workbooks | $30,000 |
| City Sponsor | Up to 2,500 workbooks | $70,000 |
| Regional Sponsor | Up to 5,000 workbooks | $145,000 |
| National Sponsor | Up to 15,000 workbooks | $400,000 |
Working sponsorship prices include the sponsored workbook allocation, printing and standard bulk distribution, sponsor recognition, program administration, impact reporting, creative direction and the applicable use of Missing The Pieces Studios’ intellectual property. Final production, shipping, activation and custom-content terms would be confirmed by agreement.
WE ARE NOT ONLY BUILDING THE SERVICE.
WE ARE SHOWING NAACP HOW THE SERVICE CAN HELP FUND THE PARTNERSHIP.
WE ARE SHOWING NAACP HOW THE SERVICE CAN HELP FUND THE PARTNERSHIP.
How This Helps Address the Annual Engagement
Missing The Pieces Studios is bringing NAACP something of immediate value to help accomplish its athlete and HBCU goals while designing credible ways to attract outside support that can help offset or recover the cost of the $175,000 annual creative engagement.
Episode Sponsorship Is a Separate Ask
Playbook underwriting and episode sponsorship are separate opportunities governed by separate agreements. Workbook underwriting does not include episode sponsorship, television integration, category exclusivity, media rights or usage rights.
Standalone episode sponsorship starts at $250,000 per episode, subject to platform, audience reach, integration, exclusivity and usage rights.
11 — Partnership, Rights & Annual Engagement
Independent athletic brand strategy, athlete-ecosystem coordination + content partnership
Missing The Pieces Studios would operate as an outside entity rather than an NAACP employee, serving as the dedicated creative architect and coordinating partner for the sports/athlete division so NAACP does not have to build those functions internally.
Annual Independent Creative Engagement$175,000PER YEAR
Partnership Responsibilities
Missing The Pieces Studios develops and oversees the athletic brand/content architecture and coordinates the athlete-facing network required to activate it.
That coordination includes meetings, introductions, mentorship sessions, training opportunities, business connections, brand conversations and other approved partner opportunities.
NAACP brings its existing Out of Bounds movement, institutional reach, relationships, advocacy platform and approved access.
Experienced third-party production, event and specialty resources are engaged as needed to execute the work.
Production, talent, travel, live-event, legal/compliance, media and other execution budgets are approved and funded separately from the annual creative engagement.
Proposed Creative Rights Structure
NAACP retains its pre-existing Out of Bounds campaign, NAACP marks, policy materials and existing organizational property.
Missing The Pieces Studios retains its underlying original creator materials, show formats, scripts, recurring creative structures and other original materials unless specifically transferred in a separate written agreement.
NAACP receives negotiated usage and licensing rights for approved properties developed for the partnership.
Any purchase, permanent assignment, expanded commercial license or other transfer of underlying rights is separately negotiated.
What the annual engagement compensates
Dedicated outside athletic brand-strategy, original-development, brand-storytelling, athlete-ecosystem coordination and ongoing oversight.
Independent outside entity — not an NAACP payroll employee; no employee health insurance, retirement plan or other employee benefit package attached to the engagement.
Annual creative strategy and brand development; original show, format, story and content development; athlete story and brand architecture.
Creative oversight and coordination with production resources.
Athlete + partner relationship coordination, including athlete meetings, mentor sessions, introductions, training opportunities, business connections, brand conversations, content appearances and other approved opportunities with professional athletes, celebrities, businesses, trainers, brands and media partners.
Sponsor/partner storytelling development, activation and live-tour creative support, and ongoing year-over-year platform development.
Physical production, crews, travel, talent, locations, insurance, post-production, live-event execution, legal/compliance and paid media are separate project expenses. The annual engagement is compensation for the creative engine and ongoing strategic leadership; it is not intended as a blanket purchase price for all underlying original IP.
NAACP DOESN’T HAVE TO BUILD AN INTERNAL SPORTS CONTENT DEPARTMENT.
IT CAN PARTNER WITH THE STUDIO THAT HAS ALREADY CREATED THE SYSTEM.
IT CAN PARTNER WITH THE STUDIO THAT HAS ALREADY CREATED THE SYSTEM.
12 — The Closing Case
Don’t just ask them to stand for something. Build something that stands behind them.
Athletes who choose the Out of Bounds HBCU pathway receive an organized network behind the stand instead of only being asked to make a sacrifice. Families can see development, exposure, mentorship, commercial opportunity and a professional network activate around the pathway. HBCUs are shown as opportunities worth choosing. Fans can see what redirected money builds. Corporate and celebrity relationships gain an organized platform to support. And Missing The Pieces Studios continuously creates the brands, tells the stories and coordinates the athlete-partner relationships that hold the ecosystem together.
Athlete DevelopmentOut of Bounds MediaEconomic ImpactPartners NetworkThe Power ShiftThe Review BoothOut of Bounds Live