NIL on Houston Matters: What Student-Athletes and Families Need to Know

Mickey Law Group founder Kamisha Mickey recently joined Craig Cohen on Houston Matters to talk about NIL in Houston, and one thing came through clearly: most athletes and their families are still not prepared for what they are signing. We wanted to expand on a few key takeaways here for anyone who missed it or wants to dig deeper.

Watch or listen to the full interview here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN1Lp1TbiaI

You Are a Business Now

This is one of the first things Kamisha tells every student-athlete she works with. NIL has changed the game, but many students still approach it the way they approach everything else in college. Someone offers them a deal, they sign it, and they move on.

That is not how this works. The moment an athlete starts earning from their name, image, and likeness, they are operating a business. The problem is, most of them are not treating it that way. And if they do not, they are going to make decisions today that cost them tomorrow.

This is something Kamisha sees every day in her practice. The athletes who understand this tend to do better. They think about structure, protection, and long-term strategy. They are not just collecting checks. They are building something.

Houston’s NIL Landscape Is Different

One insight Kamisha shared on Houston Matters is that Houston’s NIL market looks different from what you see in the national headlines. In Houston, she sees more collective and team-based deals than individual ones. Local businesses are partnering with entire teams, like the University of Houston basketball team, rather than signing individual athletes to big endorsement contracts.

For athletes who are from Houston or who have built a following here, local deals can be incredibly valuable. The community already knows them. When an athlete partners with a local business, they are building on a relationship that already exists. And that following will stay with them wherever they go.

For athletes who are not originally from Houston, national brands may make more sense. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. The right strategy depends on where the athlete is, where they want to go, and what kind of brand they are building.

Three Things to Look for Before Signing

As Kamisha puts it: "The first thing I tell every athlete is: let us pretend you are here for all four 

years."

During the interview, Craig asked about the mistakes families make when entering NIL agreements without guidance. Kamisha highlighted three things every parent and athlete should look for before signing anything.

First, check for exclusivity. Some deals restrict the athlete from working with competing brands in the same product category. That might not matter today, but if a bigger opportunity comes along in the same space, the athlete could be locked out.

Second, look at the length of the deal. How long does the agreement last? Does it extend beyond the athlete’s time at the school? Some schools are now adding clauses that require athletes to pay money back if they transfer. These clauses are becoming more common as schools try to prevent athletes from entering the transfer portal. Families need to understand what they are committing to.

Third, read the termination clauses carefully. What happens if the athlete does not meet certain expectations? What if they get injured? What if circumstances change for reasons outside their control? Knowing the consequences before agreeing to the terms is essential.

Texas Has Its Own Rules

One topic that came up on the show is how NIL rules differ from state to state. This is important for any family considering schools across state lines.

In Texas, an athlete must be at least 17 years old and have completed their high school playing years before entering into NIL deals. Other states allow high school juniors and seniors to begin making deals while they are still playing.

If an athlete in one of those states signs a deal and then transfers to a school in Texas, their amateur status could be affected. In some cases, it could mean losing the ability to compete at the high school level entirely. This is something Kamisha sees regularly in her practice.

This is exactly why having legal guidance matters. The rules are different depending on the state, the school, and the NCAA’s evolving policies. What is allowed in one place may create problems in another.

Think Long Term

Craig’s final question was about the one thing Kamisha wishes every Houston athlete understood before signing a deal. Her answer was clear: think about the long-term consequences.

NIL is exciting. It is new. Athletes are finally being compensated for the value they create. But the excitement can lead to short-term thinking. Sign the deal. Get the check. Move on.

What Kamisha works to do with her clients is slow that down. What is the end goal? Is the athlete staying at this school or open to transferring? How can the deal be structured so that if things change, if there is an injury, if there is a better opportunity, the athlete’s finances are still in a strong position?

No one should sign an NIL contract without asking those questions first. Because once the deal is signed, your options are already limited.