https://www.espn.com/high-school/story/_/id/31861613/mikey-williams-signs-excel-sports-nil-deal-expected-generate-millions-high-school-basketball-star

Williams, a San Diego native who will attend Lake Norman Christian in Huntersville, North Carolina, and play for Vertical Academy, has signed a deal with Excel Sports Management that Excel vice president Matt Davis said he believes "will generate millions of dollars for this young man."

If he was a rapper signing a record deal, TV star inking a new contract, or heck even an MLB draftee we'd collectively shrug and say good for them, free market. Why should this young mans professional athlete status (and if you're getting paid to be an athlete you're no longer an amateur) be different?

Happens with some frequency with kids in Hollywood. Which means that unless he is unusually grounded, he stands a good chance of winding up seriously f'ed up.

Malibu2 said:

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If he was a rapper signing a record deal, TV star inking a new contract, or heck even an MLB draftee we'd collectively shrug and say good for them, free market. Why should this young mans professional athlete status (and if you're getting paid to be an athlete you're no longer an amateur) be different?

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Who said it should?

But pointing out a "new" phenomenon isn't the same as claiming its wrong.

Clob94 said:

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Malibu2 said:

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If he was a rapper signing a record deal, TV star inking a new contract, or heck even an MLB draftee we'd collectively shrug and say good for them, free market. Why should this young mans professional athlete status (and if you're getting paid to be an athlete you're no longer an amateur) be different?

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Who said it should?

But pointing out a "new" phenomenon isn't the same as claiming its wrong.

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Don't mind Malibu, he has PTSD from this board.

Dude....are you new?
ChiCom Lebron's momma was living in the projects and driving a hummer during his senior year.

MelvinUdall said:

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Clob94 said:

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Malibu2 said:

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If he was a rapper signing a record deal, TV star inking a new contract, or heck even an MLB draftee we'd collectively shrug and say good for them, free market. Why should this young mans professional athlete status (and if you're getting paid to be an athlete you're no longer an amateur) be different?

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Who said it should?

But pointing out a "new" phenomenon isn't the same as claiming its wrong.

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Don't mind Malibu, he has PTSD from this board.

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He seems like an OK dude. Plus, I love talking sports.

I disagree with a lot of Malibu's opinions, but I do like him.

TxTarpon said:

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Dude....are you new?
ChiCom Lebron's momma was living in the projects and driving a hummer during his senior year.

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Clob94 said:

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Malibu2 said:

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If he was a rapper signing a record deal, TV star inking a new contract, or heck even an MLB draftee we'd collectively shrug and say good for them, free market. Why should this young mans professional athlete status (and if you're getting paid to be an athlete you're no longer an amateur) be different?

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Who said it should?

But pointing out a "new" phenomenon isn't the same as claiming its wrong.

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Fair. It's a Brave New World out there and for a lot of these kids coming into quick money it won't necessarily be a positive life development. I'm not really for regulating these deals save maybe requiring neutral financial counseling as a requirement to ink deals for minors, or as a conference requirement.

MelvinUdall said:

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Clob94 said:

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Malibu2 said:

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If he was a rapper signing a record deal, TV star inking a new contract, or heck even an MLB draftee we'd collectively shrug and say good for them, free market. Why should this young mans professional athlete status (and if you're getting paid to be an athlete you're no longer an amateur) be different?

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Who said it should?

But pointing out a "new" phenomenon isn't the same as claiming its wrong.

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Don't mind Malibu, he has PTSD from this board.

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Thanks for the drive by post attack. It's less PTSD and more acid flashbacks.

This is only "new" in American football. Europe and Canada do it all the time for young soccer and hockey players.

Malibu2 said:

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MelvinUdall said:

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Clob94 said:

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Malibu2 said:

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If he was a rapper signing a record deal, TV star inking a new contract, or heck even an MLB draftee we'd collectively shrug and say good for them, free market. Why should this young mans professional athlete status (and if you're getting paid to be an athlete you're no longer an amateur) be different?

---

Who said it should?

But pointing out a "new" phenomenon isn't the same as claiming its wrong.

---

Don't mind Malibu, he has PTSD from this board.

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Thanks for the drive by post attack. It's less PTSD and more acid flashbacks.

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Well played.

Horn_in_Aggieland said:

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https://www.espn.com/high-school/story/_/id/31861613/mikey-williams-signs-excel-sports-nil-deal-expected-generate-millions-high-school-basketball-star

Williams, a San Diego native who will attend Lake Norman Christian in Huntersville, North Carolina, and play for Vertical Academy, has signed a deal with Excel Sports Management that Excel vice president Matt Davis said he believes "will generate millions of dollars for this young man."

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It means if you sell stupid crap 18 year olds want and are in the Huntersville, NC area you're about to get paid!

MelvinUdall said:

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I disagree with a lot of Malibu's opinions, but I do like him.

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Same. I think some of his opinions/politics are looney tunes but I bet we would actually really get along IRL.

Some Junkie Cosmonaut said:

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MelvinUdall said:

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I disagree with a lot of Malibu's opinions, but I do like him.

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Same. I think some of his opinions/politics are looney tunes but I bet we would actually really get along IRL.

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If you like hiking, surfing, football, sci fi, books about war, and taking your obligations as a spouse and father seriously, we probably get along.

Malibu2 said:

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Some Junkie Cosmonaut said:

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MelvinUdall said:

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I disagree with a lot of Malibu's opinions, but I do like him.

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Same. I think some of his opinions/politics are looney tunes but I bet we would actually really get along IRL.

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If you like hiking, surfing, football, sci fi, books about war, and taking your obligations as a spouse and father seriously, we probably get along.

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Malibu2 said:

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If he was a rapper signing a record deal, TV star inking a new contract, or heck even an MLB draftee we'd collectively shrug and say good for them, free market. Why should this young mans professional athlete status (and if you're getting paid to be an athlete you're no longer an amateur) be different?

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Last I checked, tv stars and rappers don't get college scholarships to play a sport. MLB draftees forego college ball and go to the pros. How many players have we signed in baseball or football, only to watch them go to MLB because of the money?

A kid in high school that becomes wealthy as a result of high school endorsement money has no incentive to go to college. Why? Sit on the money, never really work. Wait the couple of years out and then go pro. Instead of opting out of the meaningless bowl, you'll start seeing opting out of entire college careers.

Sorry, that just doesn't bode well for the life of the sport IMO.