Riccardo Stewart, Jeff Locke, Zach Miller, and Sam Acho gather in the front office to tackle the big question facing every pro: you’ve built your value—how do you really capture it? They pull back the curtain on high-stakes negotiations, using the Brock Purdy contract as a case study. Jeff breaks down why the numbers on NFL deals rarely tell the full story, especially compared to MLB and NBA. Zach and Sam get specific, explaining the split between truly guaranteed money and what’s just ink on paper—then show how players can turn presence and connection into off-the-field wins. Between anecdotes from inside CBA talks and clear advice on reading the business, the team lays out the game plan for pros and their families to run their own huddle—and stay ahead of the league.

Key highlights

• What it means to run your career like an “Athlete CEO,” with the field as only part of the equation.
• Why only 20 out of 43 active NFL contracts over $100M are fully guaranteed, compared to every deal that size in the MLB (68) and NBA (82)—and what that means when negotiating as a pro.
• A close look at Brock Purdy’s contract: signing bonuses, real guarantees, “outs” for the team, and the importance of securing more value early, not just on paper.
• How relationships in your city and community create real off-the-field value—think partnerships, sponsorships, and trust beyond stats.
• Firsthand accounts from CBA negotiations: how owners approach contracts, what’s really said in the back room, and why understanding the league’s view is essential for every athlete.
• The bottom line for players and families: study the playbook, know your leverage, and get every piece you’ve earned—on and off the field.

Riccardo Stewart joins Zach “The Truth” Miller, Sam “The Mayor” Acho, and Jeff “The Professor” Locke to draw up the playbook behind becoming the CEO of your own career as an NFL player. With Brock Purdy’s path—from Arizona high school standout, to last pick in the draft, to signing a $265 million extension—as the backdrop, the team unpacks what really drives value for pro athletes: performance, preparation, grit through setbacks, and knowing exactly who belongs in your circle. The conversation lays bare how discipline on and off the field, combined with relentless self-belief, is the foundation for maximizing long-term value and setting up a winning legacy.

Key Highlights:
• Why every athlete needs to run the business of themselves—not just play in the business of the NFL.
• Brock Purdy’s journey: overlooked and underestimated, but methodically building value through adversity, belief, and execution.
• The power of intellectual capital: seeing the whole field, staying prepared, and making the right decisions when the pressure’s highest.
• Grit forged in recovery and rejection: how setbacks and unseen effort fuel future contracts.
• How contract structure impacts long-term value: rookie wage scale, forms of guaranteed money, skill cap, injury clauses, timing, and the true meaning of “extension.”
• Why maximizing value means keeping your circle small and choosing partners carefully both on and off the field.

References:
• Brock Purdy contract extension: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45167784/san-francisco-brock-purdy-new-contract-extension-mr-irrelevant-big-expectations
• Shark Tank (ABC), as a metaphor for realizing value and investment: https://abc.com/show/535e2b07-18a9-4d94-9803-9ed8257b9d23
• Text in your questions: 602-989-5022

In this episode of the AWM NFL Podcast, host Riccardo Stewart is joined by Sam Acho, Zach Miller, and Jeff Locke to break down “The Three I’s” of athlete financial strategy: independent, integrated, and individualized advice. Pulling from real scenarios and the unique demands facing today’s NFL players, the team spells out what it means to have your Family Office working exclusively for you the AWM Way. This episode offers athletes and their families a direct look into the non-negotiables for effective wealth management—clarifying why every financial decision should be intentional, coordinated, and tailored to your future.

Key Highlights
• What makes advice truly independent, and how the AWM Way ensures your Family Office always puts your interests first—never those of shareholders or public company profit mandates.
• Why integration is essential—illustrated by a real-world example where lack of coordination cost millions in unnecessary taxes—and how AWM builds cohesion across your tax, investment, estate, and philanthropic strategies.
• The risk of “siloed” advisors and menu-limited investment choices, and what it takes to unify your entire financial team around your unique needs.
• How individualized planning supports every aspect of your financial life—delivering strategy and solutions based exclusively on your goals, opportunities, and family priorities.
• Practical steps to help NFL athletes and their families demand better, more aligned solutions from their advisory teams.

References
• Discover the AWM Way and Family Office Services at awmcap.com
• Listen to AWM Insights™: athletefamilyoffice.com/podcasts