Sam Hurley, a 20-year-old college student and track and field star at the University of Texas at Austin, has been making big moves both on and off the track. While most students his age were gearing up for Spring Break, Hurley was focused on building his personal brand and exploring smart investment opportunities. At a panel at the South By Southwest festival in Austin, Hurley spoke about the value of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for collegiate athletes and shared his own experiences navigating the world of endorsements and investments.
Hurley, who hails from Fayetteville, Arkansas, grew up watching his father invest in commercial real estate and decided to follow in his footsteps. With the money he earned from NIL deals, Hurley made his first foray into real estate by purchasing a rental condominium unit in central Austin. Despite his initial apprehension, the investment turned out to be a success, and Hurley has since sold the property and set his sights on commercial real estate ventures in the bustling city.
In addition to his ventures in real estate, Hurley has become a sought-after brand ambassador for companies like C4 Energy, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Google. His success in the world of endorsements has been a result of his strong personal brand and impressive athletic achievements. Since arriving at UT Austin, Hurley has excelled in track and field, setting personal bests in events like the high jump and pole vault, and earning a spot in the school’s all-time top ten performers in the high jump.
Hurley’s ability to balance his athletic pursuits, academic responsibilities, and business ventures is a testament to his work ethic and dedication. He describes his days as a mix of school, sports, and business, with early mornings dedicated to weight training, followed by classes, practice, and additional workouts. Despite the demanding schedule, Hurley embraces the busyness and challenges that come with being a collegiate and NIL athlete, and he credits his success to his ability to adapt quickly and get things done.
Looking ahead, Hurley has set his sights on qualifying for the USA Olympic Team and competing in the high jump competition at the Paris Olympics. He credits his growth under the guidance of UT Austin track and field coach Edrick Floréal for his success on the track and is proud to represent the Longhorns on the national stage. As he continues to pursue his Olympic dreams and expand his business interests, Hurley remains focused on leveraging his platform and opportunities to achieve his goals and make a positive impact in the world of sports and business.
