NIL High School Rules

Alabama

Monetization allowed: No

The monetization of NIL rights is prohibited for high school athletes in Alabama. The AHSAA defines an amateur as "one who does not use his/her knowledge of athletics or athletic skill for gain." Besides medals, trophies, plaques and rings, athletes can't receive awards valued at more than $250.

Alaska

Monetization allowed: Yes

The ASAA allows high school athletes to monetize their NIL rights as long as there's "no school team, school, ASAA Region or ASAA affiliation" in a commercial endorsement.

Arizona

Monetization allowed: Yes

It's still somewhat ambiguous whether or not athletes can participate in NIL and keep high school eligibility with the Arizona Interscholastic Association. After indicating for years that the AIA outlawed NIL for its athletes, it introduced an amendment to its NIL bylaws in 2024 that "clarifies" the situation and indicates "a student-athlete may benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness provided the NIL is not connected to his/her AIA sanctioned high school team or activity program."

Arkansas

Monetization allowed: Yes

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed House Bill 1649 in April 2023, which amended previous legislation and allows high school athletes who have been admitted or signed a National Letter of Intent to an institution in the state to pursue NIL deals. For only the applicable athletes, the law supersedes the AAA's rule on amateurism, which states that athletes can't directly or indirectly "accept gifts, products, awards or monetary compensation for permitting his/her name, picture, or person to be used."

California

Monetization allowed: Yes

California was the first state to allow high school athletes to enter into NIL agreements. Athletes can agree to commercial endorsements as long as the endorsement isn't affiliated with the athlete's school or team.

Colorado

Monetization allowed: Yes

NIL activities are permitted thanks to a CHSAA amendment from the spring of 2022. Athletes aren't allowed to use school marks, IP or equipment in connection with NIL activities.

Connecticut

Monetization allowed: Yes

The CIAC's Amateur Athletic Guidelines allow athletes to enter into NIL agreements and be represented by an attorney or agent. Athletes can't use school marks in connection with their NIL and they must disclose their agreements.

Delaware

Monetization allowed: Yes

In April 2024, Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association board of directors passed rule changes that permits high school student-athletes to profit from their NIL. To that point, Delaware was one of the remaining states in the Northeast that had not allowed high school athletes to participate in NIL and still retain eligibility.

District Of Columbia

Monetization allowed: Yes

The latest DCSAA handbook states its amateur rules aren't "intended to restrict the right of any student to participate in a commercial or marketing endorsements" provided there's no school logos or apparel. Players must notify the DCSAA of all deals.

Florida

Monetization allowed: Yes

The Florida High School Athletic Association became the 36th state organization to allow NIL for high school athletes in June 2024. The new policy passed by a unanimous vote by the FHSAA Board of Directors, and the measure takes effect in time for the 2024-25 high school season. In many ways, the new Florida High School Athletic Association NIL bylaw mirrors what is now acceptable for other high schoolers nationwide. The new rules also aim to protect against recruiting and high-school-oriented collectives focused on retaining talent at the high school level.

Georgia

Monetization allowed: Yes

The Georgia High School Association adopted a new NIL policy in October 2023. The policy in part states that NIL deals cannot be linked to a specific achievement or performance, and athletes won’t be allowed to use their schools’ name, logos or uniforms or other intellectual property.

Hawaii

Monetization allowed: No

The HHSAA's Administrative Regulations don't specifically address NIL. Students can lose their amateur status by competing for money in an organized athletic activity or under an assumed name, selling an award from a non-school athletic activity for cash, or by signing a professional athletic contract.

Idaho

Monetization allowed: Yes

IDHSAA rules and regulations has changed its rules for 2022-23, allowing athletes to participate in commercial endorsement. No affiliation of school team, school, league, district is allowed.

Illinois

Monetization allowed: Yes

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.

Indiana

Monetization allowed: No

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.

Iowa

Monetization allowed: Yes

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.

Kansas

Monetization allowed: Yes

The KSHSAA handbook allows high school athletes to monetize their NIL rights but athletes can't identify themselves in connection with their school in commercial activities.

Kentucky

Monetization allowed: Yes

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.

Louisiana

Monetization allowed: Yes

The LHSAA released a statement in April 2022 that said its bylaws allow high school athletes to monetize their NIL rights. A partnership with Eccker Sports also provides athletes with educational resources for NIL.

Maine

Monetization allowed: Yes

At its 2022 spring meeting, the MPA membership approved a policy allowing athletes to engage in NIL. The policy restricts student-athletes from using school logos, engaging in NIL activities during team activities and partnering with a list of vice industries.

Maryland

Monetization allowed: Yes

Maryland student-athletes can participate in NIL activities. The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association policy mirrors many of the other states across the country, but student-athletes are not able to use their NIL to promote video games. Plus, the MPSSAA was the first state association to outright prohibit the formation of collectives – groups of boosters that support schools through NIL activities – by employees, contractors and vendors of member schools.

Massachusetts

Monetization allowed: Yes

The MIAA Board of Directors ruled in August that high school athletes can profit off their NIL. They but cannot, however, use school logos, apparel or the MIAA name/logo in any NIL activity.

Michigan

Monetization allowed: No

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.

Minnesota

Monetization allowed: Yes

The MSHL amended its regulations in June, allowing athletes to profit off their NIL. NIL activities must not interfere with an athlete’s academic obligations. A student must not miss practice, games or other team obligations for NIL. Student-athletes are prohibited from promoting gambling, alcohol, tobacco, drugs or weapons.

Mississippi

Monetization allowed: Yes

Entering 2024, The Mississippi High School Activities Association rules still prohibits NIL deals for students if they want to participate in high school sports. However, the Mississippi Intercollegiate Athletics Compensation and Publicity Rights Act that was passed and signed into law in April 2024 appears to permit NIL without penalties for high school student-athletes. George County standout quarterback Deuce Knight became the first known high school athlete in Mississippi to execute an NIL deal in July 2024.

Missouri

Monetization allowed: Yes

The Missouri State High School Activities Association’s 2023-2024 handbook released in June 2023 says that “qualified” high school student-athletes are now eligible to earn NIL compensation. The updated guidelines do have one unique wrinkle: Student-athletes can’t be paid for deals or represent the specific sport desired for amateurism and cannot promote his/her participation, fame or prowess in that particular sport they want to maintain eligibility for.

Montana

Monetization allowed: No

NIL is prohibited in The Treasure State. Amateurism is lost if a student-athlete accepts NIL money. Awards allowable under MHSA rules must be no greater than $100 in value. 

Nebraska

Monetization allowed: Yes

New rules in Dec. 2021 allowed student-athletes to profit off their NIL in Nebraska.

Nevada

Monetization allowed: Yes

The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association approved language that permits limited NIL activities for high school student-athletes in April 2023.

New Hampshire

Monetization allowed: Yes

The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association’s change mirrors many other state associations across the country, and student-athletes are not allowed to use school names, logos, or uniforms or mention the NHIAA in the commercial endorsements.

New Jersey

Monetization allowed: Yes

The NJSIAA passed regulations allowing athletes to profit since Nov. 2021. They've been allowed since Jan. 1, 2022. Students are prohibited from referencing NJSIAA or using school logos in endorsements. Certain categories are prohibited.

New Mexico

Monetization allowed: Yes

A June 2023 vote by the New Mexico Activities Association Board of Director approved NIL for high school student-athletes provided there is no school or NMAA affiliation. That means student-athletes are unable to use school uniforms of intellectual property in NIL activity.

New York

Monetization allowed: Yes

The NYSPHSAA changed its rules in Oct. 2021 to allow student-athletes to turn a profit on their NIL. Athletes are prohibited from appearing in their school uniform in any endorsement.

North Carolina

Monetization allowed: No

North Carolina high school student-athletes can't participate in NIL activities, despite the NCHSAA Board of Directors approving an NIL policy proposal in May 2023. The State Board of Education didn't have emergency rule-making authority to enact an NIL rule for the start of the 2023-24 school year.

North Dakota

Monetization allowed: Yes

NDHSAA policy passed in June allows student-athletes to utilize their NIL. Athletes are prohibited from the use of school uniforms or school logos in NIL activities. Booster clubs are also not allowed to be involved in NIL activities.

Ohio

Monetization allowed: No

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.

Oklahoma

Monetization allowed: Yes

Current OSSAA guidelines allow student-athletes to turn a profit without losing their amateur status. No school marks or apparel may be used. Compensation may not be secured due to athletic achievement.

Oregon

Monetization allowed: Yes

A vote in mid-October 2022 by OSAA administration set parameters for student-athletes regarding endorsements related to NIL activities. There are some stipulations with student-athletes being able to use NIL. For example, student-athletes are required to disclose agreements and can't receive deals from anyone connected to an OSAA-affiliated high school.

Pennsylvania

Monetization allowed: Yes

Pennsylvania became the 22nd state to allow student-athletes to participate in NIL activities without losing high school eligibility in December 2022. The change allows student-athletes to obtain commercial endorsements and earn money from promotional activities. However, no one affiliated with the high school or employed by the school may arrange for NIL deals or pay players. Student-athletes can’t reference the PIAA or any member school, team or team nickname in NIL ads, mirroring other states associations that have made changes in 2022.

Rhode Island

Monetization allowed: Yes

Rhode Island became the 21st state to allow high school-student athletes to participate in NIL in November 2022. Athletes can monetize their NIL as long as there’s no connection with the team, school and Rhode Island Interscholastic League.

South Carolina

Monetization allowed: No

Current regulations prohibit student-athletes from monetizing their NIL. Athletes are also not allowed to compete for monetary prizes. "No participants may accept material awards in excess of actual expenses, including hotel bills and transportation.”

South Dakota

Monetization allowed: Yes

The South Dakota High School Activities Association voted on June 12, 2024 to allow student-athletes to participate in NIL activities without losing their prep eligibility starting on July 1, 2024. The SDHSAA became the 37th local athletic associations allow NIL deals for high school athletes.

Tennessee

Monetization allowed: Yes

The TSSAA's Legislative Council unanimously approved a proposal in December 2022 to allow athletes to pursue NIL opportunities. NIL deals can't involve an athlete's performance. Athletes can't use school or association marks in association with NIL deals.

Texas

Monetization allowed: No

NIL is currently prohibited. In the Texas' state law regarding NIL, it is outline that prospective student athletes are not allowed to monetize their NIL prior to their enrollment at a university.

Utah

Monetization allowed: Yes

The UHSAA approved new rules in Jan. 2022, allowing athletes to profit off their NIL. The 2022-23 handbook has now been released with the policy. Athletes are prohibited from wearing school uniforms in NIL activities.

Vermont

Monetization allowed: Yes

Through an update in July 2023, high school student-athletes are now able to capitalize off of their name, image and likeness in Vermont without losing eligibility with the Vermont Principal’s Association. The VPA now has what experts call a “robust NIL policy” but it does include some of the standard restrictions against using school uniforms or using school names.

Virginia

Monetization allowed: Yes

The Virginia School League – which governs the state’s more than 300 public high schools – voted to make NIL acceptable for its student-athletes after July 1, 2023. The VHSL rule permits athletes to profit from social media, product endorsements, personal appearances, autograph sessions, merchandise or apparel sales and group licensing. The VHSL doesn’t allow athletes to be paid as an incentive for enrollment decisions or membership on a team or for “intellectual property” of the VHSL or any member school to be used in a deal.

Washington

Monetization allowed: Yes

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association revised its handbook in June 2022 to allow high school student-athletes to participate in NIL activities. There are some restrictions, including limitations for student-athletes using NIL in which any way relates to the student’s connection to their high school.

West Virginia

Monetization allowed: No

Subsection 127 of the SSAC handbook states an athlete loses their amateurism status by, “capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of monetary value (scholarships to institutions of higher learning are specifically exempted)."

Wisconsin

Monetization allowed: No

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."

Wyoming

Monetization allowed: No

No specific direction in the WHSAA handbook. Athletes amateur status will be forfeited if they are “capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money, gifts of monetary value or merchandise.”