NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- PKF O'Connor Davies, one of the nation's largest accounting, tax, and advisory firms, announced today that Robert Raiola and Scott Edison have been selected to join Accelerate Sports Ventures' NIL360°edu, a comprehensive educational program for collegiate athletes and their programs on the topic of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). Raiola, Director of the Firm's Sports and Entertainment Group, and Edison, Partner in the Firm's Business Solutions Group, will lead the program's tax education team.
The recognized industry leaders will share their combined 40-plus years of insider accounting expertise and experience as they help student-athletes navigate the tax implications of utilizing their NIL to openly promote and/or endorse commercial products and/or services. While a majority of college athletes have historically been barred from engaging in these types of agreements, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is expected to announce a rule change allowing athletes to accept future promotion and endorsement contracts.
"The ability for college athletes to join their professional counterparts in endorsing products and services would mark a watershed moment in the sports promotions space," said Robert Raiola. "Scott and I are thrilled to be at the cutting-edge of this breakthrough and share our decades of accounting, tax, and consulting experience to ensure student-athletes maximize their future financial opportunities as they pursue endorsement and promotion contracts."
"Sports Tax Man" Robert Raiola has over 20 years of experience providing business management, tax planning, and business consulting services to high-net-worth individuals and their families in the sports and entertainment industries. Scott Edison has over 20 years of experience providing business consulting and advisory services, as well as individual, partnership, and corporate tax planning and accounting services for privately-held and family-owned businesses. NIL360°edu will bring Raiola and Edison together with other legal, financial, branding, licensing, and education experts in the execution of the program.
"To be recognized as industry experts and afforded the opportunity to participate in this exciting new venture is a true honor," said Scott Edison. "Robert and I look forward to collaborating with noted industry experts as we impart our real-world expertise, strategies, and best practices onto future generations of student-athletes and their families."
Accelerate Sports Ventures, a provider of comprehensive, collegiate athletic solutions, has launched NIL360°edu and its greater NIL360™ solution with the purpose of better preparing athletes for success in the NIL era. The tax education provided by Raiola and Edison, in addition to the legal, contracts, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and brand education provided by other world-class experts, will be delivered both virtually and in-person, combined with year-round support for athletes, coaches, and staff.
About PKF O'Connor Davies, LLP
PKF O'Connor Davies, LLP is a full-service certified public accounting and advisory firm with a long history of serving clients both domestically and internationally. With roots tracing to 1891, 13 offices in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, and Rhode Island, and more than 900 professionals led by over 100 partners, the Firm provides a complete range of accounting, auditing, tax, and management advisory services.
PKF O'Connor Davies is a top-ranked firm according to Accounting Today's 2020 "Top 100 Firms" list, and the Firm is also recognized as a "Leader in Audit and Accounting," a "Pacesetter in Growth," and one of the "Top Firms in the Mid-Atlantic." In 2021 rankings, PKF O'Connor Davies was named one of Vault's Accounting 50, a ranking of the 50 best accounting employers to work for in North America, and ranked among the top 50 most prestigious accounting firms in America in a complementary Vault survey. The Firm is the 12th largest accounting firm in the New York Metropolitan area, according to Crain's New York Business, and the 10th top accounting firm in New Jersey according to NJBiz's 2019 rankings.
PKF O'Connor Davies is enrolled in the AICPA Peer Review Program and has central memberships in the Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the Employee Benefit Plan Audit Quality Center (EBPAQC), Government Audit Quality Center (GAQC), and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB).
By consistently delivering proactive, thorough, and efficient service, PKF O'Connor Davies has built long-lasting, valuable relationships with its clients. Partners are closely involved in the day-to-day management of engagements, ensuring a high degree of client service and cost effectiveness. The Firm's seasoned professional staff members employ a team approach to all engagements to provide clients with the utmost quality and timely services aimed at helping them succeed. Continuity of staffing and attention to detail in all client engagements make the Firm stand out among its competitors.
PKF O'Connor Davies is the lead North American representative of the international association of PKF member firms. PKF International is a network of legally independent member firms providing accounting, tax, and business advisory services in over 400 locations in 150 countries around the world. With its tradition, experience, and focus on the future, PKF O'Connor Davies is ready to help clients meet today's ever-changing economic conditions and manage the growing complexities of the regulatory environment. For more information, visit http://www.PKFOD.com.
About Accelerate Sports Ventures and NIL360™
Accelerate Sports Ventures was created to provide comprehensive solutions for the future of college athletics. Accelerate's immediate focus is helping athletic departments manage Name, Image, and Likeness with its NIL360 solution. NIL360 will provide a comprehensive NIL solution with an unbiased oversight process for athletic departments. From education to infrastructure to management and review, NIL360 will provide an unparalleled experience to guide athletic departments and student-athletes into the new world of NIL and the future of college athletics. For more information, go to AccelerateSportsVentures.com or email [email protected].
Media Contact
Kathleen O'Toole, PKF O'Connor Davies, 551-249-1730, [email protected]
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