Work With ESS
The ESS Standard
Doesn’t Have a Back Door.
ESS works with performance brands that can stand behind their product when put through a real evaluation. Three ways to partner — all built around the same standard that governs every recommendation on this site.
Start a Partnership Conversation →Who We Reach
The ESS Audience
D1 + Pro Athletes
Performance tech buyers, NIL builders, high earners
College Athletes
NIL strategy, supplement stacks, creator tools
Sports Parents
Recovery products, finance resources, HSA/FSA tools
NFL Agents
Practice management, compliance tools, AI workflow
College Coaches
Recruiting tech, film platforms, player development
Athletes Building Brands
Content tools, NIL platforms, creator workflow
Partnership Options
Three Ways to Work Together
No rate sheet. Every partnership conversation starts with a real discussion about fit. Reach out and we’ll tell you if it makes sense.
Database Evaluation
Your product goes through the same four-criteria ESS evaluation process as every other tool in the Performance Database — no shortcuts. If it earns a place, it earns a Verdict badge, a Jack's Take, and a permanent listing. If it doesn't, you get the honest feedback.
Includes
- ▸Full ESS Verdict evaluation (🟢 / 🟡 / 🔴)
- ▸Jack's Take write-up (published or private)
- ▸Performance Database listing if it earns it
- ▸Optional: dedicated product review page at /reviews/[product]
Placement is editorial, not paid. Evaluation fee covers research time, not the result.
ESS Insider Sponsorship
A sponsored placement in The ESS Insider — the weekly newsletter covering performance tech, NIL, finance, and agent tools. Placements are clearly labeled, contextually relevant, and written in Jack's voice — not a generic ad drop.
Includes
- ▸Sponsored section in one weekly issue
- ▸Written natively by Jack (not templated ad copy)
- ▸Promoted to Insider subscriber list
- ▸Optional: paired with a Database evaluation for credibility
One sponsor per issue. Category exclusivity available. We don't run brands that conflict with ESS standards.
Content Partnership
A deeper partnership that involves original content — a buyer guide, a comparison, a breakdown of your product category. These live in the ESS content hub and are indexed for search. This is for brands playing a longer game than a single ad.
Includes
- ▸Long-form content piece in the ESS Content Hub
- ▸Disclosed as a content partnership
- ▸Linked from relevant Database entries
- ▸Promoted via The ESS Insider on publish
Content must meet ESS editorial standards. We won't publish anything that would compromise the recommendation layer.
Non-Negotiables
What ESS Won’t Do
Paid Verdict upgrades — a 🔴 brand cannot buy a 🟢
Undisclosed affiliate arrangements
Supplement brands without third-party testing
Products Jack has not evaluated or would not personally recommend
Volume deals that compromise editorial independence
The standard is what makes this worth anything to you. A diluted recommendation layer isn’t a platform — it’s a paid ad that athletes will eventually stop trusting. We won’t trade long-term credibility for a short-term deal.
Ready to Talk?
Send a note with your brand, product category, and which partnership option fits what you’re trying to do. We’ll respond within 48 hours.