Key takeaways:
- The best eXp Realty sponsor for a Phoenix agent is not necessarily the closest geographically — it is the one with the strongest production record, the most actionable training, and a genuine system for helping you grow.
- Riley Hextell is ranked #1 at eXp Realty Illinois for total transactions in 2025 and sits in the top 50 of more than 80,000 agents companywide — and he sponsors agents nationwide, including in Arizona.
- Agents who join under Riley gain access to weekly live training, lead-generation systems, accountability coaching, and revenue share — all delivered remotely through eXp's cloud-based infrastructure.
The best eXp Realty sponsor in Phoenix is the one who runs a high-production business, actively trains the agents under them, and has a repeatable system for helping newer or growing agents hit real goals — not just someone who handed you a link. Sponsorship at eXp is a long-term relationship, and who you choose determines the mentorship, resources, and income-building tools available to you from day one.
That distinction matters more than most agents realize when they are first evaluating a move to eXp.
What an eXp Realty Sponsor Actually Does for You
Before evaluating any specific sponsor, it helps to understand what the role means inside eXp's model. Unlike a traditional broker, eXp does not have local offices where a managing broker is physically present every day. The brokerage operates through a cloud-based campus, and the sponsor you choose is the person who introduced you to the company — and ideally, who actively supports your growth once you are inside.
A passive sponsor does nothing after you join. An active one shows up every week.
The difference in your business outcomes can be significant. An engaged sponsor provides:
- Direct access to someone who is currently producing at a high level
- Weekly training on lead generation, conversion, listing strategy, and business systems
- Accountability check-ins so your pipeline does not stagnate
- Guidance on building your own revenue share network within eXp
- A community of other agents inside the same sponsorship group who share strategies
Phoenix is a competitive real estate market. Having a sponsor who understands production pressure — not just brokerage theory — gives you a meaningful edge.
Why Production Record Matters When Choosing a Sponsor
Any agent can become a sponsor at eXp. The question is whether that sponsor has demonstrated the ability to build and run a real business, and whether they can teach you to do the same.
Riley Hextell is ranked #1 at eXp Realty Illinois for total transactions in 2025. He is also ranked in the top 50 of more than 80,000 eXp agents companywide — a number that includes agents operating in the largest metros in the country. In 2024, he was named Rookie of the Year by the Chicago Association of Realtors, a credential you can read more about in his own account of what that recognition required and what it taught him.
That kind of production does not happen without repeatable systems. And repeatable systems are exactly what agents joining under his sponsorship get access to.
Riley sponsors agents nationally, working with people in markets across the country through eXp's remote infrastructure. He does not need to be physically located in Phoenix to deliver real value — eXp was built for this model, and his training and mentorship are delivered the same way to every agent he brings on, regardless of state.
What You Get Under Riley Hextell's Sponsorship
Here is a direct look at what agents in Phoenix can expect when they join eXp under Riley:
- Weekly live training: Calls and sessions covering lead gen, listings, follow-up, and systems — not canned content
- Lead-generation frameworks: Proven approaches Riley uses in his own high-volume business
- Accountability structure: Regular check-ins so you stay on track with your pipeline and goals
- Revenue share coaching: Guidance on building your own sponsorship network and creating passive income inside eXp
- Direct access to a top-50 agent: Real answers from someone currently producing — not a sponsor who closed their last deal years ago
- A community of like-minded agents: Connection to others inside the group who are building serious businesses
eXp's Revenue Share Model — and Why Your Sponsor Choice Affects It
Revenue share is one of the most distinctive features of eXp Realty. When you join, you begin building a network of agents under your own sponsorship, and eXp pays you a share of the company dollar generated by those agents — through multiple tiers, for as long as they remain at eXp.
For Phoenix agents evaluating the model in depth, the article on eXp Realty's revenue share explained for Los Angeles agents covers how the structure works across tiers and what agents realistically earn through the program. The mechanics are the same for Arizona agents.
The reason your sponsor matters here: the agent who understands how to teach revenue share — not just benefit from it — helps you build that stream intentionally from the start rather than stumbling into it years later.
Riley has built his own revenue share network alongside his sales production. He coaches the agents he sponsors on how to do the same, so the income opportunity does not sit unused.
How to Evaluate Any Sponsor Before You Commit
If you are a Phoenix agent doing your due diligence — which you should be — here is a practical checklist for evaluating any potential eXp sponsor, including Riley:
- Ask for their current production numbers. Not last year's — this year's. A sponsor who is actively producing is one who is actively learning.
- Ask what structured training they offer. Weekly calls, on-demand content, and accountability systems should be specific and current — not vague promises.
- Ask how many agents they sponsor and how engaged those agents are. A small, active group often outperforms a large, disconnected one.
- Ask how they handle revenue share coaching. Do they have a system for helping you attract agents, or do they leave that entirely to you?
- Ask for references. Agents already inside the group can tell you whether the training and support are real.
- Ask whether they are still in production. A sponsor who stopped selling has stopped learning what the market is actually doing.
Riley welcomes these questions. You can reach him directly at 815-545-7476, [email protected], or through rileyhextell.com.
If you want to see how he approaches building an agent business inside eXp — including how he thinks about team growth and revenue share — the article on growing a real estate team at eXp Realty walks through the model in detail.
Is eXp the Right Move for Phoenix Agents Right Now
eXp Realty has a commission structure, cap system, and stock program that make the financial case worth examining for agents at nearly every production level. The cloud-based model removes the overhead of a traditional brick-and-mortar office and gives agents access to training and tools regardless of where they are located.
For agents in Phoenix who are producing but feel like the support at their current brokerage has plateaued — or for newer agents who want to enter a model with real mentorship built in — eXp presents a compelling option. The key is joining with a sponsor who will make good on what the model promises.
A sponsor ranked in the top 50 of a global company with more than 80,000 agents, who actively trains and coaches the people under him, and who has built a genuine accountability system — that is what to look for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my eXp sponsor have to be in Arizona for me to join under them?
No. eXp Realty operates on a cloud-based platform, and your sponsor can be located anywhere in the country. Riley Hextell is based in Illinois and sponsors agents in multiple states, including Arizona, entirely remotely. The training, accountability, and support he provides are delivered the same way regardless of your location.
What is the difference between a passive and an active eXp sponsor?
A passive sponsor is simply the person who introduced you to eXp — they receive revenue share credit but may offer little ongoing support. An active sponsor provides regular training, accountability check-ins, lead-generation coaching, and guidance on building your own revenue share network. The two experiences produce very different business outcomes over time.
How does Riley Hextell's production record affect the value of his sponsorship?
Riley is ranked #1 at eXp Realty Illinois for total transactions in 2025 and in the top 50 of more than 80,000 agents companywide. That level of production means the systems he teaches agents under him are tested in a real, high-volume business — not theoretical. He can speak directly to what is working in today's market because he is actively working it.
Can I build revenue share as a Phoenix agent under Riley's sponsorship?
Yes. Revenue share at eXp is tied to agents you introduce to the company, not to your geographic location. Riley coaches the agents he sponsors on how to attract and support their own network, so you can build that income stream intentionally from the start rather than figuring it out on your own.