HOUSTON – Texas high school athletes can now sign name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.
The Lone Star state has more high school athletes than any other state, so passing this law last June in a sports-crazy place should be seismic, right? Not exactly.
KPRC 2 anchor Keith Garvin sat down with one of the most elite athletes in the state and others to better understand the X’s and O’s of NIL and when the money flows.
Keisean Henderson of Spring’s Legacy School is ranked #2 among high school quarterbacks in the entire country. The University of Houston commit is navigating his senior year with a new variable on his plate, the NIL. Houston area
“I’m in a big group chat with a lot of guys from Houston, or just like in the Houston area that play football. And they sent it, in the group, and it was just kind of like, ‘Is this fake?’ like, ‘Are we like serious?’” Henderson said.
RELATED: Paid to play? Potential big earnings for high school athletes
It’s very serious, but in our state, there are a few catches.
Families and their hired representatives can entertain offers and line up NIL agreements while the athlete is in high school. Once they graduate and begin college courses, they can cash in on those NIL deals.
Dusty Stanfield with Inspiration Athlete Marketing says real dollars are being discussed.
“There are some athletes here, high school athletes in the State of Texas, that have been offered, in some cases, substantial nil deals,” he adds.
Keith follows up with, “Wow. Okay. When you say substantial, give us a range, in terms of money?”
Then Stanfield shares, “Six to seven figures.”
Matt Malatesta of Houston-based VYPE Media says the trend of early graduation will likely gain more ground.
“You’re seeing so many kids graduate early so they can get on campus and get enrolled in their respective college, so they can start having this NIL money kinda roll into them,” he told Keith.
“I’ve been in contact with a lot of car companies. Panini for sure. Panini has been around, in my process, a lot of times, from Elite 11 to the Navy All-American game. I won Panini MVP at the All-American game,” said Henderson.”
RELATED: Texas high school athletes could face financial literacy challenges with new NIL opportunities
Most other states have some version of NIL, with many allowing high school athletes to directly receive compensation.
In places like California or Florida, their high school athletes can be compensated right now, while they’re in school.
In the Lone Star state, it’s Texas Hold ‘em.
For now, Keisean’s mother, Erica, is fielding his offers.
“Make sure you are involved,” she told Keith. “Don’t allow the kids to have to do too much because they are kids. And they do still have to be a part of that teenage year. I want Keisean to still be a part of being a teenager.”
“Okay, 17 years old and you’re having to think about taxes? Did you think you’d ever have to think about taxes this early?” Keith asked Keisean.
“No! Didn’t think I would be thinking about Uncle Sam. Not at all,” Henderson replied. is
This year, this dual-threat quarterback, like a host of other Texas athletes, is eyeing his senior year with a look ahead to future opportunities and how to protect them. ?
“It makes you want to think,” said Henderson. “Use your critical thinking. Who you want to put in your corner, who do you want to let into your inner circle?”