Tracker: High School NIL
We are tracking state laws and state high school association rules governing name, image and likeness below.
Disclaimer: This information is made available for educational purposes. It provides general information and is not intended to provide specific legal advice. This information should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
Last updated April 26, 2022
In what states is it clear that high school student athletes can monetize their name, image and likeness?
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New York
- Utah
| State | NIL Monetization Allowed? | Governing Rule | Current Rule(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No | AHSAA Rule 1, Section 8 | Currently prohibited. Amateurs are defined by the rules as those who do not use his/her knowledge of athletics or athletic skill for gain. Cannot receive remuneration for participation. No award of any kind having a monetary value of more than $250 (other than medals, trophies, plaques or championship rings) shall be made to students. |
| Alaska | Yes | ASAA Article 8, Section 1 & 2 Article 9, Section 2 | Amateurism rules were amended in December 2021 to allow NIL activities as long as there is no mention of the school, team or Alaska School Activities Association. New rule: "A student-athlete forfeits amateur status and eligibility in a sport sanctioned by the Association by..." "capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of monetary value in exchange for endorsements, participation in commercials, advertisements or the like in affiliation with the student’s school team, school, ASAA Region or ASAA (scholarships paid directly to institutions of higher learning are specifically exempted). This provision is not intended to restrict the right of any student to participate in a commercial endorsement provided there is no school team, school, ASAA Region or ASAA affiliation." |
| Arizona | Unclear | ASAA Rule 15.11 | An amateur athlete is defined by the state high school athletics assocaition as someone who "has never used or is not using his/her knowledge of athletics or athletic skill in an athletic contest for financial gain." State law (SB 1296) also could apply broadly to high school athletes when it mentions individuals who "may be eligible in the future" for college athletics. |
| Arkansas | No | AAA Article III Eligibility Rule 10. Amateurism | Currently prohibited. Student may not: "directly or indirectly accept gifts, products, awards or monetary compensation for permitting his/her name, picture, or person to be used to advertise, promote or recommend a product, service, commercial venture or political venture." |
| California | Yes | CIF Article 20 Rule 212 | Student athletes can participate in NIL, although there are some limitations: "(3) Wearing a school team uniform or any identifying school insignia while appearing in any advertisement, promotional activity or endorsement for any commercial product or service; (4) Lending his/her name and team affiliation for purposes of commerical endorsement. Any appearances by students for nonprofit organizations must be approved by the Board of Trustees concerned. This provision is not intended to restrict the right of any student to participate in a commerical endorsement provided there is no school team or school affiliation." |
| Colorado | Yes | CHSAA 2000.12; Amended in April 2022 | Colorado voted to allow NIL in April 2022. Start date not yet published. |
| Connecticut | No | CIAC Article 12 Rule 4.5.A | Currently prohibited. "[An amateur athlete] who takes or has taken pay, or has accepted the promise of pay, in any form, for participation in athletics or has directly or indirectly used his/her athletic skill for pay in any form shall not be considered an amateur and will be in violation of Rule II.G. of the CIAC Code of Eligibility. Cash awards including US Savings Bonds are prohibited; any salary, gift cards, incentive payment, gratuity or expense allowance other than actual/necessary allowances aren't allowed; if a student-athlete's appearance on radio, television or print/electronic media is related in any way to his/her athletic ability or prestige, the athlete may not under any circumstance receive remuneration for his/her appearance - but athlete can appear on a sponsored radio or TV program or have his/her name appear in newsprint ads or in player of the week, month or year ads promoting products provided he/she does not endorse or implicitly endorse any commercial product." |
| Delaware | No | Delaware Administrative Code Title 14 Section 2.5.1.7 | Currently prohibited. Students cannot use athletic status to promote or endorse a commercial product or service on the internet; in a newsprint, radio, television advertisement or any other form of media; or personal appearance. |
| District of Columbia | No | DCSAA Part V Section H | Student forfeits amateur status if they use their athletic status to promote or endorse a commercial product or service on the internet, in newsprint, radio, television advertisement or any other form of media, or personal appearance. |
| Florida | No | FHSAA Rule 9.9 | Currently prohibited. Forfeiture of amateur status (in a particular sport for one year) if: compete for money or other monetary compensation; receive any award or prize of monetary value not approved by FHSAA; capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of a monetary nature. |
| Georgia | No | GHSA Rule 1.90 | Currently prohibited. Athletes forfeit amateur status if they compete for money or other monetary compensations with exceptions for travel/meals/lodging. They cannot capitalize on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts with monetary value except college scholarships. |
| Hawaii | Unclear | HHSAA Section 2(I) | Forfeit amateur status if: competing for money in any organized athletic activity. No specific mention of NIL. |
| Idaho | No | IDHSAA Rule 8-4 & 8-5 | Current rules state a student athletes forfeits amateur status if they compete for money or other monetary compensation; receiving any award/prize of monetary value that exceeds the guidelines approved by IHSAA; receiving cash of any amount or an award, playing equipment or prize which exceeds retail value of $300. |
| Illinois | No | IHSA Rule 3.083 | "A student in a member school may accept any other award for participation in an athletic contest, or for athletic honors or recognition, which does not exceed $75 in fair market value…In addition a student in a member school may receive and retain items of wearing apparel which are worn for non-school athletic competition as part of a team uniform provided for and worn by the student during competition." State law that allows NIL for college athletes specifically defines student athletes for purposes of the law as being "currently enrolled at a postsecondary intitution." |
| Indiana | No | IHSAA Part II Rule 5-2 | Amateurs must not have: accepted remuneration or a benefit other than of symbolic nature, directly or indirectly, for athletic participation in that sport; capitalized on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of a monetary value; participated in athletic activities/tryouts/audition/practices/games held or sponsored by professional athletic organizations, clubs or the reps during the contest season. |
| Iowa | Unclear | IHSAA Handbook Page 63 | Regulations state a student-athlete can lose amateurism if they have competed for money in any organized athletic activity. No direct mention of NIL. |
| Kansas | Yes, but limited | KSHSAA Rule 21 | A student athlete may, "A student may receive pay for teaching activities such as swimming, lifesaving, golf, tennis, wrestling, basketball, dancing, baseball, etc., provided he or she confines the work to teaching skills." "A student may not receive pay for coaching teams or individuals involved in competition." "A student may receive pay for officiating athletic contests." The acceptance of merchandise, jackets, sweaters or other wearing apparel, athletic equipment, pay for pitching a game, remuneration for scoring a certain number of goals or making base hits, etc., or any other form of cash or merchandise award, is a violation of this rule. Neither may the foregoing be accepted as pay to cover necessary expenses." |
| Kentucky | No | KHSAA Bylaw 10 | A student athlete loses amateur status if they are "capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money or other gifts of monetary value not specifically approved by sec. 2 or 4 of this rule." Sections 2 and 4 pertain to scholarships and pre-approved awards not to exceed $300. |
| Louisiana | Yes | LHSAA Section 1.25 Position statement issued April 2022 | New position statement announced 4/7/22 allowing NIL for high school athletes |
| Maine | Unclear | MPA Handbook | NIL is not directly addressed |
| Maryland | No | MPSSAA Subtitle 06 Chapter 03 Section 10 | Currently prohibited. "...students who have not used or are not using their athletic skill as players for financial gain, or who have not competed under assumed names as players, shall be considered amateurs." |
| Massachusetts | No | MIAA Handbook Rule 47 | Currently prohibited. "An athlete forfeits amateur status in a sport by: competing for money or other monetary compensation [excluding pre-approved travel, meals or lodging]; receiving any award or prize of monetary value which has not been approved in advance by the MIAA; capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of monetary value [scholarships exempted]... ... Only awards of no monetary worth to anyone may be accepted by a high school student-athlete as a result of participation in school or non-school competition in any sport recognized by the Association." |
| Michigan | No | MHSAA Section VIII Part B & C | Currently prohibits NIL. Amateurs are those who have not received gifts of material or money and have not received other valuable considerations, including special considerations for loans, because of athletic performance or potential. Gifts or loans to family members, based on the student's athletic performance or potential, are treated as gifts or loans to the student and violate that student's amateur status. Symbolic awards cannot be in excess of $40. |
| Minnesota | No | MSHSL 201.00 | Currently prohibits NIL. "A student cannot use athletic skills to promote or advertise products." |
| Mississippi | No | MHSAA Rule 2.39 | Currently prohibited. Loss of amateur standing through: entering competition for monetary guarantee (including gift certificates); entered competition for share of gate receipt; accepted money; entered competition for prizes or merchandise of more tha $1K in retail value; sold or pawned a prize; accepted payment of expense allowances in excess of actual expenses. Also cited NFHS's ruling against high school NIL opportunities. The state law which granted college athletes NIL rights, specifically says it does not apply before enrollment at a post-secondary institution: "No student-athlete shall enter into a name, image, and likeness agreement or receive compensation from a third-party licensee relating to the name, image or likeness of the student-athlete before the date on which the student-athlete enrolls at a postsecondary educational institution." |
| Missouri | No | MHSAA 3.6.1 and 3.6.2 | Currently prohibited. Forfeit amateur status by: competing for or accepting money or other monetary compensation other than necessary meals/lodging, etc.; receiving any award or prize which value exceeds approved amount ($250 total if multiple awards - also can't accept services, cash or gift certificates as awards); capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money, gifts of monetary value or merchandise. Gifts/benefits/awards/opportunities given to all enrolled students at the school does not compromise amateur status and award limits are not applicable. |
| Montana | No | MHSA Article II Section 15.1, 16 | Currently prohibited. No award exceeding $100 shall be given per event in any MHSA sanctioned sport or activity by a school, person or organization to a student in recognition of that student's achievement or participation in any interscholastic activity. Amateurism can be lost by: accepting remuneration directly or indirectly for playing on athletic teams; receiving donations or gifts for participation outside the MHSA rule; knowingly accept paymet for excessive expense allowances. |
| Nebraska | Yes | NSAA Rule 3.7.1 | Rules changed to allow as of December 2021. Student athletes "may engage in NIL activities that are consistent with the law of the state of Nebraska, and, in the absence of such law, a student may engage in NIL activity subject to the following: a) The student’s NIL activities are done on an individual basis and are carried out in a manner that does not suggest or reasonably suggest the endorsement or sponsorship of the NSAA member school. b) The student’s NIL activities may NOT include an image or likeness of the student in a uniform, or other clothing or gear depicting the name or logo of the NSAA member school the student is attending or has attended." Student athletes cannot receive merchandise or compensation of any nature for caoching any NSAA approved sport during the season of the sport in his/her school. |
| Nevada | No | NAC Rule 385B.374 | Currently prohibited. Not an amateur if: participates in a sport for money or anything of value, other than allowable expenses; receives any award, equipment or prize with a retail value of more than $200. NIAA regulations are part of the administrative code of the State of Nevada, so they would need to be revised by government action. |
| New Hampshire | No | NHIAA Article II Section 6 | May lose eligibility if: receives excess expenses above necessities; appearing on radio or television related in any way to his/her athletic ability or prestige - the athlete may not under any circumstance receive remuneration for his/her appearance. Also can't endorse any commercial product. |
| New Jersey | Yes | NJSIAA | Executive Committee officially approved NIL on 11/10/21. Student-athletes are permitted to receive payments for coaching and providing athletic instruction, however student-athletes may not play on the teams that they coach. The student-athlete’s compensation must be commensurate with the work performed. A student-athlete may profit off of the use of their own name, image and likeness (NIL). Such permissible activities include commercial endorsements, promotional activities, social media presence, product or service advertisements, and non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Prohibited from referencing school or NJSIAA or using school logos or marks. Also prohibited from endorsing certain categories and services including adult entertainment products and services, alcohol products, tobacco and nicotine-related products, cannabis products, controlled dangerous substances, prescription pharmaceuticals, casinos and gambling (including sporst betting, the lottery, and betting in connection with video games, online games and mobile devices), and weapons/firearms/ammunition. |
| New Mexico | No | NMAA Section VI Subsection 6.18 | Currently prohibited. An amateur athlete shall not receive (directly or indirectly) reimbursement or financial benefit as a result of their athletic performance or abilities, except as outlined in 6.18.8. Financial benefit includes cash, stipends, compensation, endorsements, boarding/living expenses, free or reduced meals, merchandise, gift certificates, etc. (See 6.18.8) Handbook Q&A reiterates: Financial benefit gained as a result of athletic participation or as a result of a student's name, image or likeness does jeopardize a student's amateur status. |
| New York | Yes | NYSPHSAA Rule 2.2(c) | Rules changed to allow in October 2021. No restriction on right of student athletes to participate in commercial endoresement as long as there is no school team, school, section or NYSPHSAA affiliation. SAs who secure endorsements cannot appear in their school uniform in any endorsement, and logos/marks of schools, sections or NYSPHSAA cannot be used. |
| North Carolina | No | NCHSAA Rule 1.2.15(a) and (b) | Currently prohibited. No individual or team may accept money. As a result of athletic ability/performance, an individual may accept a gift/merchandise/trophy, etc. as long as it does not exceed $250 value per sports season. Additionally, independent high schools are not governed by the NCHSAA, so athletes at these schools can profit from NIL (see Mikey Williams). |
| North Dakota | Unclear | NDHSAA | No direct mention of NIL. |
| Ohio | No | OHSAA Bylaws, 4-10 and 5 | Currently prohibited, but OHSAA voting on whether to allow in May 2022. Currently, student athletes forfeit amateur status if they compete "for money or other remuneration; capitalizing on the athlete's fame by receiving money, merchandise or services of value." |
| Oklahoma | No | OSSAA Rule 5 | (Section 1) "A student should be advised not to use his or her knowledge or skill of athletic or reputation as an athlete for financial gain. A student should be advised not to participate…where individuals are being compensated directly or indirectly for their participation; or where team or their sponsosrs are compensated or reimbursed on a win or lose basis; or where cash or merchandise prizes other than medals or trophies are offered, given, or paid to individuals or to teams. ... (Section 2) "A student is not eligible to participate in interscholastic contests in any sport in which he/she has used his/her knowledge or skill for financial gain. An athlete forfeits amateur status in a sport by: Competing for money or other monetary compensation...; receiving any award or prize of monetary value which has not been approved by his/her state association; capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of monetary value..." |
| Oregon | No | OSAA Rule 8.4 | Currently prohibited. Handbook says: student becomes ineligible for one calendar year after the date of the report of the violation to the OSAA if at any time the student accepts or enters into any agreement for the purpose of later accepting any compensation or thing of value for or in recognition of athletic or activities abilities, with exceptions. |
| Pennsylvania | No | PIAA Article II Sections 1-3 | Currently prohibited. Defines amateur as one does not receive monetary or similar/equivalent compensation or remuneration for such participation. Loss of amateur status if: student or parents/guardian(s) receives or agrees to receive compensation, other consideration or awards related to student's athletic ability, participation, etc. in a sport; student receives consideration for becoming a member of an athletic organization or sport; enters into a contract to represent a corporation/organization or similar entity in competition or by appearing in public on behalf of such entity; or student signs a contract whereby the student agrees to compete in any athletic competition for consideration. May not exceed $750 in items from sponsor(s) of athletic events, as long as the student participated. Sponsor(s) can also pay expenses for student to participate in educational programs, tours and field trips in connection with the event(s). |
| Rhode Island | No | RIIL Article I Section 19 | Currently prohibited. Amateurism is lost by competing for money or other compensation; receiving any award or prize of monetary value not approved by RIIL; capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of monetary value. |
| South Carolina | No | SCHSL Article III Section 14 | Currently prohibited. "A student may not have competed for money or valuable consideration other than prizes with symbolic value. No participants may accept material awards in excess of actual expenses, including hotel bills and transportation." |
| South Dakota | No | SDHSAA Chapter 2 Section 6 | Currently prohibited. Reportedly reviewing policy and exploring what is best for student-athletes and membership schools. "A student may be declared ineligible if he/she: Accepts cash, merchandise, compensation or illegal awards when competing in a sport sponsored by the Association beyond the monetary limits set in the SDHSAA Athletic Handbook...Received remuneration for the use of name, picture and/or personal appearance as an athlete in the promotion of a commercial or profit making event...." |
| Tennessee | No | TSSAA Article II Section 18 | Currently prohibited, allegedly addressing topic at December legislative council meeting. An amateur is defined as one who has never used and is not using his/her knowledge of athletics or his/her athletic skill for pay in the sports which this Association governs and who has always contested under his/her own name. A student-athlete cannot accept anything of commerical value from his/her school other than a medal, trophy, state championship ring, high school letter, seater, jacket, shirt, blazer or blanket. |
| Texas | No | State law SB 1385 Section (j) - (1) & (2) | Currently prohibited. The state law passed to allow NIL for college athletes says, "(j) No individual, corporate entity, or other organization may: (1) enter into any arrangement with a prospective student athlete relating to the prospective student athlete's name, image, or likeness prior to their enrollment in an institution of higher education; or (2) use inducements of future name, image, and likeness compensation arrangement to recruit a prospective student athlete to any institution of higher education." UIL only prohibits athletes from promoting a product, plan or service related to a UIL sport or contest and receiving valuable consideration for participating in a UIL sponsored school sport. |
| Utah | Yes | UHSAA Section 6 to be updated per Jan 2022 meeting summary | Utah High School Activities Association approved new NIL rules January 2022 |
| Vermont | Unclear | VPA Section 2 | Current rules do not directly address NIL. |
| Virginia | No | VHSL 28B-2-3 | Currently prohibited. Lose amateur status if: "received compensation or benefit for use of name, picture and/or personal appearance, as an athlete in that sport, or provides endorsement, as an athlete in that sport, in the promotion of a commercial or profit-making event, item, plan or service." |
| Washington | No | WIAA 18.24.0-18.24.5 | Currently prohibited. To maintain amateur status, a student athlete may not..."advertise or pormote a commercial product or service." |
| West Virginia | No | WVSSAC Title 127 Section 127-2-11 | Doesn't directly address NIL, but does say amateur status forfeited if: "capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of monetary value." |
| Wisconsin | No | WIAA Section III.C | Currently prohibited. Rules prevent athletes from receiving compensation or benefit for the use of name, picture and/or personal appearance as an athlete because of ability, potential and/or performance as an athlete. |
| Wyoming | No | WHSAA Rule 5.7.1 | Doesn't directly address NIL, but does say amateur status forfeited if: "capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money, gifts of monetary value or merchandise." |
Research assistance provided by: Jeffrey Parry
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