JASON STEELE

Founder & CEO, Echelon Sports and Wealth Management

I fell into this role when I met a football player at one of NC State’s first NIL events years ago. Back then, none of us knew what we were walking into or what to expect. But we became fast friends. He eventually brought several of his teammates over for dinner. As my wife and I stressed over how much food to make a group of elite athletes, they rolled in our front door and plopped on the couch, and it struck me: these guys were just like my own sons. 

These kids are more than a dollar. They are not a commodity. They have their own thoughts and ideas, dreams and heartaches. They leave it all out on the field and then are back for more the next morning. They are so exceptional.

Our conversations often centered around my profession as a wealth strategist, and I would teach them financial tips and tax strategies. They were hungry not just for our home-cooked dinners, but for real financial advice. As NIL grew, so did the guys around our table. 

Eventually we needed to formalize our 30 years of financial planning experience with a new audience of NIL athletes, and Echelon Sports and Wealth Management was born. 

Where collectives get dollars for our players, we teach athletes how to manage their proceeds so they can focus on what they do best: go get after it on the field.

At Echelon, we are the human side of the NIL. Just a family who cares about our people with the ability to equip athletes with strong financial fundamentals essential for structuring NIL proceeds.

We still keep in touch with that group of guys who came over that first night. And they have blended into our family and have made our house a second home. It’s been so awesome.

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Jason founded and manages Weston Banks Wealth Partners, a comprehensive wealth management practice uniquely structured to run like a family office. Utilizing sophisticated financial planning that incorporates tactical tax strategies He holds Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses, and is a Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS). He serves on the Chairman’s Club Council for Prospera Financial Services.