"My kids don't see price tags": $1.5M NIL-valued Flau'jae Johnson's mom Kia Brooks reveals her reason for hustling hard

Flau'jae Johnson is one the most successful Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) athletes in college women's basketball, with deals valued at $1.5 million per On3. Her mother, Kia Brooks, is also successful in her roles as an entrepreneur, manager, and TV personality.

Brooks credited her children as the reason why she was hustling hard with a post on her Instagram story. The post consisted of a photo of Brooks in a Zoom meeting where she closed a deal.

"The last video is exactly why I couldn't stop working if I wanted to right now. My kids don't see price tags as of yet. Lol. I'm getting my hair done while on a zoom yesterday and closed a huge deal. Clients know my life and that it's on the run, and they love it. It's organic and real. So you don't have to fake it to kick it. Just get the job done by any means," she captioned the post.

Flau'jae Johnson's mom, Kia Brooks, closing a deal in a Zoom meeting. (Credit: Instagram/@kiajbrooks)

Johnson reveals the unpleasant side of being a NIL athlete

NIL deals have helped student-athletes leverage their skills and popularity for commercial purposes. Johnson is one of the beneficiaries as the 21-year-old was named in Forbes "30 under 30" on Tuesday, with an estimated $7 million in earnings.

Johnson recently joined UConn star Paige Bueckers to sign a groundbreaking deal with the 3-on-3 Unrivalled Basketball League. According to On3, her highest NIL valuation in women's basketball is estimated at $1.2 million.

However, the LSU star has revealed a less pleasant side of being a NIL athlete, pointing out that players are often scrutinized for taking advantage of their deals.

"I've learned that being in the NIL era, players get scrutinized for taking advantage of it," Johnson said per Essential Sports.

Johnson, who is signed to Jay Z's Roc Nation, has other lucrative deals with Puma, Powerade, and Amazon, which have been collectively valued at $4.5 million. She admitted that signing NIL deals gives athletes opportunities that extend beyond college sports. In the latest episode of her podcast, "Best of Both Worlds with Flau'jae," she said:

"You get four years. And I am trying to explain to people like the universities are making so much money, and now they've given us a platform and a chance to make money, build our brands, and create something that lasts way beyond college."

Johnson is rated as one of the best players in college women's basketball. She currently averages a career-high 22.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, powering LSU to an 11-0 record this season.