The landscape of high school sports in Wyoming might be about to change in a big way. The Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) is looking at a policy that would let high school athletes make money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
This follows the NCAA’s adoption of NIL rules back in 2021. College athletes, including former Powell High School track star Jay Cox, have already felt the effects.
With the WHSAA preparing for a second reading of the proposed policy, people are debating what it could mean for high school sports. There’s a lot of curiosity, some excitement, and a fair bit of skepticism in the air.
The Emergence of NIL in High School Sports
NIL activities let athletes earn money through endorsements and other ventures. It’s been a game-changer for college sports.
Now, the WHSAA is figuring out if high school athletes should get the same shot. The proposed policy has several restrictions designed to keep the focus on education and fair play.
Proposed Restrictions and Guidelines
The WHSAA’s draft policy spells out a few big restrictions:
- No use of school or WHSAA-funded clothing or equipment
- Prohibition of NIL activities during school hours or team activities
- Restrictions on promoting certain products and services, such as alcohol, tobacco, and gambling
- No use of school logos, marks, or insignias for NIL purposes
These measures are meant to walk the line between letting students benefit and keeping high school sports honest. It’s a tricky balance, honestly.
Voices from the Community
Jay Cox, a Powell High School graduate and former University of Wyoming track athlete, thinks NIL opportunities for high schoolers make sense. He says high school should get students ready for life after graduation.
For those competing at higher levels, NIL can be a real learning experience. “A good thing to keep in mind is, regardless of what people may think about this, this is already a reality at the collegiate level,” Cox points out.
Student Perspectives
Powell High senior Ivy Agee, the school’s first female football player and a dedicated soccer player, is eager to try NIL if it passes. She sees it as a way to get noticed and connect with businesses before heading off to college.
“I feel like [the football players] would actually be really interested in it,” Agee says. She thinks her classmates would jump at the chance.
Administrative Insights
Powell Athletic Director Richard Despain has talked a lot about NIL with other school officials since taking over in 2023. He sees some potential upsides, but he’s not blind to the risks.
“Allowing NIL at the high school level could muddy the waters of high school sports,” Despain warns. He’s not sure it’ll be all smooth sailing.
Potential Concerns
Despain lists a few worries:
- Transfer and amateur eligibility rules that could stop athletes from making the most of NIL deals
- The risk of predatory NIL deals targeting students for profit
- The potential loss of amateur status if students earn too much money
He says it’s crucial to educate students and parents about what NIL agreements really mean. There’s a lot to learn, and some of it’s not obvious.
The Bigger Picture
The WHSAA’s proposed policy is still up in the air. The conversation around NIL in high school sports is just getting started, and it’s bound to get more intense.
College athletes like Jay Cox have stories that offer some clues, but high school’s a different world. The WHSAA has a tough job ahead—figuring out how to protect students and still give them a shot at new opportunities.
Looking Ahead
As the WHSAA gears up for the second reading of the proposed policy on October 2, people all over the state are chiming in. Some are hopeful, others a bit skeptical—no surprise there.
Regardless of the outcome, just having this conversation feels like a big step. High school sports are changing, and folks are trying to wrap their heads around what comes next.
If you want to dig into the details of the proposed NIL policy and what it might mean, the Powell Tribune’s coverage is worth a look here.
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