Mikey Williams, Memphis basketball signee, loses endorsement deal with sports tech company
Mikey Williams' NIL portfolio has taken a hit thanks, in part, to his legal troubles.
Earlier this week, LaceClips − a sports tech company that makes wearable fitness trackers − told TMZ Sports it had severed ties with the 5-star Memphis basketball signee.
"He is not someone that will be associated with our brand going forward," said LaceClips president Jonathan Nussbaum.
Williams was arrested in April and is facing six felony gun charges stemming from a March shooting outside his California home. He has pleaded not guilty and is due back in court for his preliminary hearing June 29.
But Nussbaum told TMZ Sports his company's relationship with Williams was already on thin ice before his arrest since Williams had failed to fulfill unspecified terms of his agreement with LaceClips.
DEANDRE WILLIAMS: The NCAA case that could be the key to DeAndre Williams returning to Memphis basketball
MEMPHIS BASKETBALL: DeAndre Williams to seek waiver, 'would welcome' return to Tigers
SIGN UP: Memphis Tigers Basketball Insider text group with Jason Munz
LaceClips isn't the only NIL deal Williams signed while he was still in high school. He signed a deal with Puma in 2021, becoming the first American high school basketball player to ink a sneaker deal with a global footwear company. Williams also reportedly has an endorsement agreement with I Got It, a tech company that specializes as an online auction platform.
Williams' standing with I Got It is unclear. Neither Puma nor I Got It immediately responded to request for comment from The Commercial Appeal. Williams was previously part of an NIL deal with Cash App, but his contract with the company expired in early 2022.
The University of Memphis remains mum on Williams' future status.
"We're still in a holding pattern until the legal process plays out further," athletic director Laird Veatch recently told The Commercial Appeal. "Really, until that happens, until we get more clarity and understanding there, then we're going to be in a holding pattern on any decisions with that moving forward."
Tigers coach Penny Hardaway last spoke to media about Williams' situation on April 19.
“I can’t even speak on the case, out of respect for the ongoing process of what’s happening,” Hardaway said. “I don’t know enough to speak on it. That’s all I have to say about that. I don’t really have anything else to say about it.”
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Mikey Williams, Memphis basketball signee, loses endorsement deal
