Professional athletics engages the world across a plethora of leagues, star athletes, dazzling teams, and billions of dollars from ads and sponsorships. Pressure is mounting increasingly for athletes to live up to expectations far beyond entertainment, both on and off the field. Frequently, athletes are on the cutting edge of advocacy and philanthropy, bringing attention to key causes by using their platforms and armies of publicists. There are also renewed demands for representation both vertically and horizontally. With the rise of all things digital, athletes also enjoy burgeoning opportunities for greater engagement with fans. Taken together, a new class of powerhouse athletes is changing the state of play as we used to know it, under the guidance of managers, owners, investors, and other experts.