You can learn a lot about modern sports by watching what happens before college. Mick Hamilton has lived it from multiple angles: college football recruiting, the first wave of NIL deals, and now the co-founding of The Sevens Football, an invite-only 7-on-7 tournament in Atlanta built to spotlight the top high school athletes in the country. We talk with Mick about why football players are often tougher to market than basketball players, and how intentional athlete branding can change what opportunities look like long before signing day.

We break down what seven-on-seven football actually is, why it’s become the spring battleground for elite skill-position talent, and how The Sevens creates a true showcase environment with media, energy, and a fan experience that feels more like a big-time event than a typical youth sports weekend. Mick shares the strategy behind keeping the tournament selective, donating $20,000 to winning programs, and building sponsor value through both ticket sales and massive organic reach, including a landmark MaxPreps partnership and millions of video views.

The conversation goes deeper than highlights and stats. Mick gets honest about the startup reality, the pressure of looking bigger than you are, and the lessons that come from negotiating vendors, earning trust, and refusing to quit when things get messy. We also look ahead to the future: girls flag football, boys flag football, and why the road to the 2028 Olympics could make women’s flag football one of the smartest bets in youth sports right now.

If you care about high school football exposure, NIL, sports marketing, or building a modern sports business, listen through and tell us what part of Mick’s story hit home. Subscribe, share this with a sports parent or founder friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

Follow The Sevens on Instagram @thesevensfootball

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