Memphis basketball signee Mikey Williams has lost his NIL deal with LaceClips, as first reported by TMZ on Sunday morning.
LaceClips is a sports technology company that supplies athletes with “smart activity trackers” that attach to their shoelaces. These small clips allow them to track their “fitness goals” and “competitive progress.”
The company looks quite profitable, as the actual LaceClips product costs $129.99, per its website. Additionally, it was one of the first companies to ink an NIL deal with Williams.
The news of LaceClips ending its partnership with Williams is just the latest controversy for the 4-star recruit. San Diego authorities arrested Williams nearly two months ago on 6 counts of gun-related felonies.
That doesn’t paint the full picture of Williams’ departure from the brand, however.
Why Did LaceClips Drop Its Deal with Williams?
Though his arrest was the main factor in why LaceClips released Williams from his deal, it wasn’t the only reason.
LaceClips president Jonathan Nussbaum says that Williams wasn’t holding up his end of the bargain after signing a multi-year contract with LaceClips in 2022. He also added that the company’s relationship with Williams was deteriorating even before he was arrested.
“We are not continuing our partnership with Mikey Williams,” Nussbaum said. “He is not someone that will be associated with our brand going forward.”
The partnership between Williams and LaceClips will officially reach its conclusion at the end of May.
What’s Next for Williams?
The next few months won’t be easy for the social media star. He’ll appear in a San Diego court for a preliminary hearing on June 29. It’s unclear how his legal proceedings will continue after that.
It’s also far from a guarantee that Memphis honors his scholarship, as he has not arrived on campus yet for summer workouts per sources. If Williams is able to steer clear of any felony convictions in time, he’ll probably end up a Tiger by November. However, the odds of that happening don’t seem favorable.
California lawmakers are notorious for being harsh towards gun violence, so this could realistically end very badly for Williams.
Right now, it’s impossible to determine what losing the LaceClips deal means for the 6-foot-3 guard.
Is this just a roadblock for Williams, or is it the beginning of the end for his career?
