City of Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker and the City of Hattiesburg recently signed two local athletes to NIL deals.

The City of Hattiesburg has signed Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnerships with two standout athletes from local universities: Melyia Grayson from the University of Southern Mississippi and Lauren Jones from William Carey University. Both athletes, who graduated from local high schools, have been chosen as the city’s first-ever NIL ambassadors.
Melyia Grayson, a 2020 graduate of Hattiesburg High School, made headlines when she led the Lady Tigers to a state basketball championship in 2018. Continuing her success at Southern Miss, Grayson earned a spot on the Sun Belt All-Conference Third Team for the 2023-2024 season and currently ranks 19th in all-time scoring at the university, with 1,195 career points.
Lauren Jones, a 2021 graduate of Sacred Heart Catholic School, was instrumental in securing four state soccer championships during her high school career. At William Carey University, she played a key role in leading the women’s soccer team to consecutive Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) titles in 2021 and 2022. In addition to her athletic success, Jones was named an NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete in 2022 for her outstanding academic achievements.
Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker is excited about what the NIL partnerships could mean for the future.
“In today’s changing college athletics landscape, it’s crucial for communities to embrace and support local athletes through NIL opportunities,” Barker said. “These partnerships allow us to highlight the achievements of our two universities and showcase athletes who came from our local schools. Melyia Grayson and Lauren Jones represent the best of Hattiesburg—they excel in their sports and remain connected to their hometown. We are proud to have them as our first NIL student ambassadors.”
Through these NIL agreements, Grayson and Jones will collaborate with the city on projects designed to promote Hattiesburg’s educational and athletic programs, strengthening the bond between local institutions and the community.