We’re entering a new era in youth sports where name, image and likeness present opportunities for athletes to capitalize on their talents well before they step foot on a college campus. We’ve already seen that with incoming Memphis freshman Mikey Williams having a Puma shoe deal in high school. And in turn, it opens the door for exploitive parents to cash in as well.
But nothing really compares to what Jake San Miguel is doing with his 10-year-old son, Madden, who goes by “Baby Gronk.” Despite Baby Gronk being four years away from high school — an age where it’s nearly impossible to project football talent — San Miguel has promoted his son as the next big thing in football. Baby Gronk was the recent focus of a viral TikTok meme with Livvy Dunne, and his dad continues to put Madden in front of a camera at any and every opportunity.
