A major shift is happening in high school sports, and many families don’t even realize it. Ohio now allows high school athletes to make money from their name, image, and likeness. It’s known as NIL, and it opens doors for teenagers to earn money through social media posts, local sponsorships, paid appearances, custom merchandise, and more.
For some students, NIL is a chance to turn their talent and personality into income. For others, it’s confusing and easy to misunderstand. NIL didn’t exist in high school sports five years ago. Now it’s becoming normal, and some teens are already signing deals.
But as NIL has grown, so have concerns. Some programs and adults have been accused of using NIL as a way to influence where a student plays. That’s where the OHSAA’s new rules come in.
Under updated bylaws, if a student transfers and the move appears connected to an NIL opportunity, the OHSAA can immediately bench the athlete while it investigates. This creates automatic suspicion around NIL-related transfers and aims to stop programs from using money or branding to build “super teams.”
Schools are now responsible for educating families that helping a student secure an NIL deal before enrollment counts as recruiting. That can lead to penalties under Bylaw 11, including a review of the school’s membership status.
The OHSAA says families need to treat NIL like a real business. That means reading contracts carefully, getting advice from adults who understand the legal details, and putting academics and athletics before anything else. A confusing or unfair contract can damage eligibility, and a misunderstanding could cost a student their season.
The organization also made it clear that during any investigation into possible NIL violations, it has the authority to suspend a student from competing until the case is resolved.
As NIL continues to grow, these rules aim to let students benefit responsibly while preventing NIL from becoming a backdoor recruiting tool. To help parents and students better understand what’s happening, here’s a breakdown of how NIL works and what families should look out for.
What Is NIL?
NIL stands for name, image, and likeness. It allows student-athletes to earn money by using their public identity. That can include sponsored social media posts, product endorsements, autograph sessions, paid appearances, training content, or merchandise featuring their name or logo. Students are not paid to play. They are paid for their personal brand and their influence.
What Parents Should Watch For
Parents should be careful about anyone offering money, gear, or sponsorships tied to switching schools. That is recruiting and can make a player ineligible. Families should also be cautious about contracts that sound too good to be true. Some NIL deals can affect taxes, limit future opportunities, or give businesses too much control over a student’s content. When in doubt, ask questions, read everything fully, and get professional guidance.
What Students Can and Can’t Do
Students can sign NIL deals, promote businesses, build social media brands, sell merchandise, and work with companies interested in featuring them. They cannot accept deals arranged by coaches or school staff, let NIL influence enrollment decisions, or sign agreements that break school or state rules. NIL is allowed, but only when kept separate from decisions about where a student plays.
Real-World Examples of NIL Deals Teens Are Getting
Most NIL deals at the high school level are small but meaningful. A basketball player might earn money posting a sponsored workout video. A football player with a strong online following might promote a local restaurant. Track and cross-country athletes often partner with running gear companies for free products and modest payments. While a few elite athletes earn more, most deals in Ohio resemble a part-time job. These examples show why NIL matters and why clear guidelines are needed.