Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA) is weighing a policy that could let high school athletes profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). It’s a move that echoes what happened in college sports back in 2021, letting athletes cash in on their personal brand.
This policy is due for a second reading on October 2. The aim? Give students a shot at NIL deals, but keep some guardrails in place so their amateur status and academics don’t get lost in the shuffle.
Understanding the Proposed NIL Policy
The WHSAA’s draft policy comes with some pretty strict guidelines. Students wouldn’t be able to use school or WHSAA-funded gear, official grounds, or gametape for NIL deals.
On top of that, NIL activities would be off-limits during school hours or any team activities. There’s also a flat-out ban on promoting stuff that’s not age-appropriate—think alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, controlled substances, or gambling.
Key Restrictions
- No use of school or WHSAA-funded clothing and equipment.
- Prohibition of NIL activities during school hours or team events.
- Restrictions on promoting age-inappropriate products.
They want students to stay focused on school and sports while still having a shot at NIL opportunities. Honestly, it’s a tricky balance.
The Perspective of Former and Current Athletes
Jay Cox, who graduated from Powell High and ran track at the University of Wyoming, sees the proposed policy as a good thing. He got a taste of NIL in college and thinks high school athletes should have that chance too.
Sure, there are rules, but he feels it’s a fair move to give student-athletes more control over their own brand.
Athlete Experiences with NIL
Cox’s own NIL experience at Wyoming was pretty low-key. He set up a page on the school’s NIL portal and made a video for a local elementary school.
He didn’t land any big deals, but he watched other athletes benefit. For him, NIL at the high school level could be a way for students to get a head start, especially if they’re eyeing sports after graduation.
The Impact on High School Sports
Powell High senior Ivy Agee is excited about the NIL proposal. She’s the school’s first female football player and a standout in soccer.
She figures that teaming up with businesses before college could boost her profile and give her some real-world experience. Agee wants to understand the rules so she can make the most of NIL without stepping on any landmines.
Potential Benefits and Concerns
Richard Despain, Powell’s Athletic Director since 2023, has been talking about NIL’s ups and downs since he started. He sees the good—students gaining opportunities—but he’s wary too.
One of his big worries is predatory NIL deals, where groups try to profit off students. Despain says it’s crucial to protect students and make sure they know what they’re signing up for.
Regulatory Considerations
The WHSAA’s proposal tries to tackle some thorny issues. Wyoming’s transfer and amateur eligibility rules make it tough for athletes to jump into unregulated NIL deals.
If a student transfers, they could lose a year of varsity play. Earning too much prize money? That could cost them their amateur status, which just adds another layer of complication.
Maintaining Amateur Status
WHSAA isn’t dropping its amateur rules. The policy includes steps to help students keep their amateur status intact.
Despain stresses reading the fine print of any NIL agreement. He urges students to be careful and ask for advice before signing anything—because sometimes, things aren’t as simple as they look.
Conclusion
The proposed NIL policy by the WHSAA could really change things in high school sports. It opens the door for student-athletes to actually profit from their personal brand—something that would’ve sounded wild not that long ago.
There are plenty of restrictions baked in, aiming to keep the focus on school and the game. Still, the policy lays out a path for students to try NIL opportunities without going totally off the rails.
High school sports are shifting, and nobody can say exactly where it’s headed. Students, parents, educators—they all need to keep their eyes open and maybe even be a little skeptical as they figure out this new world.
If you want to dive deeper into what this policy could mean, you can check out the full article on the Powell Tribune website.
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