Sep 3: Why are high school athletes signing with sports agencies before college?
Article credit: Charles Baggarly
What do DeSoto wide receiver Ethan “Boobie” Feaster, five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson and Florida Gators starting quarterback DJ Lagway have in common?
All three have teamed up with NETWORK, a sports marketing and management agency. Their decisions mark a new era in athletics in which elite high school players are represented long before they ever sign a professional contract.
NIL in Texas: a shifting landscape
In Texas, state laws permit athletes 17 and older to sign NIL deals, though name, image and likeness compensation can’t begin until they’ve enrolled in college.
With rules changing rapidly across the country, representation helps players prepare for opportunities and challenges that may come without warning.
That’s the strategy behind Feaster’s move. The four-star USC pledge’s brand is being built by NETWORK, so he can be in a good position when he turns 17, just a few weeks ahead of graduation.
