(6-5-24) The new language in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Policy 9.9, pending State Board of Education ratification on July 24, 2024, will allow high school student-athletes in the state of Florida to monetize their NIL while maintaining their eligibility. Student-athletes and their parents/guardians will be required to negotiate any NIL activities independent of their school, school district, or the FHSAA. Student-athletes will be prohibited from monetizing their name, image, and likeness with the use of their school’s uniform, equipment, logo, name, proprietary patents, products and/or copyrights associated with an FHSAA member school and/or school district, either in public, print or social media platforms.
NIL allows high school student-athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness while maintaining their high school athletic eligibility. As of October 4, 2023, thirty (30) states and the District of Columbia allow high school student-athletes who compete in interscholastic athletics to receive NIL compensation
OHIO – Current OHSAA regulations bans athletes from profiting on their NIL. The state association’s membership voted against an NIL proposal this spring, citing a need for further education and preparedness. The OHSAA was the first association to have an NIL proposal fail. Athletes can have put their amateur status on the line if they are active in NIL.
INDIANA – IHSAA rules regarding amateurism say students are no longer amateurs if they “capitalized on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of a monetary nature.” Athletes are allowed to appear in advertisements but they can’t receive compensation.
ILLINOIS – The Illinois High School Association became the 25th group to join the growing list of states allowing student-athletes to participate in NIL activities without losing eligibility. Illinois mirrors many of the states that have made changes to their handbooks and guidelines in 2022. Student-athletes must keep their NIL activities and participation in interscholastic activities separate.
MICHIGAN – Current MHSAA rules prohibit student-athletes from profiting off their NIL. Athletes run the risk of forfeiting their amateur status by competing for money, receiving any award or prize of monetary value which has not been approved or capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving cash or gifts of monetary value.
KENTUCKY – The Kentucky High School Athletic Association released its 2023-24 handbook in July 2023 and student-athletes are now allowed to receive NIL compensation for activations that do not utilize school and association intellectual property.
WISCONSIN – Attempts to pass NIL reform for high school athletes in Wisconsin failed by a vote of 219-170 in April 2024. Current WIAA regulations prohibit athletes from profiting on their NIL. A student-athlete’s amateurism status can be lost by “receiving compensation or benefit, directly or indirectly, for the use of name, picture and/or personal appearance.”
IOWA – The IHSAA allows athletes to turn a profit, as long as deals are not contingent on athletic performance, an inducement or provided by the school.
Just a thought…
What happens when a school plays a school with a border state school…one has a NIL deal for the athletes and the other does not? NIL states athletes are compensated…should the non-NIL states athlete be in danger of losing their eligibility?
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