Ohio high schools have just made a big move—they’ve voted to allow student-athletes to strike Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. With this decision, they join 44 other states that have already made similar changes.
This shift follows a majority vote by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) schools. It also wraps up a lawsuit filed by Jamier Brown, a standout wide receiver from Wayne High School.
It’s a change that’s not just about the athletes. It sets a new bar for how high school sports might look in the years ahead.
The Vote and Its Implications
Nearly 79% of the 568 OHSAA schools said yes to the new NIL policy. That’s 447 in favor, 121 against, and 247 who just didn’t vote.
Tim Stried, OHSAA’s media relations director, said the organization pushed for a ‘yes’ to keep things structured. They wanted clear rules so high school sports wouldn’t lose their footing.
Details of the New Bylaw
The new bylaw lays out some important ground rules:
- No direct payments to students.
- NIL deals can’t sway a student’s school choice.
- No transfer portal like what you see in college sports.
It’s all designed to keep things fair and avoid the messes that can come with NIL deals.
The Lawsuit and Its Impact
Jamier Brown’s lawsuit really kicked things into gear. He was missing out on more than $100,000 in possible NIL deals.
His lawyer, Luke Fedlam, said the goal was to make a lasting change for every high school athlete in Ohio. The court put a temporary hold on the OHSAA’s NIL ban for 45 days, and Brown wasted no time getting started on deals.
Reactions and Future Prospects
Plenty of schools and the OHSAA were uneasy about NIL at first. But the legal tide made it obvious—blocking athletes from earning off their NIL just wasn’t going to work.
Stried pointed out that this move follows a bigger trend. When California let college athletes make NIL deals, it cracked open the door for high schools, too.
Broader Implications for High School Sports
Ohio’s decision is part of a national wave. Now, with 45 states on board, there’s more and more acceptance that student-athletes have a right to profit from their own name and image.
For these athletes, it’s a whole new world. They can team up with local businesses, use their social media buzz, and actually earn money. It’s not just about the cash—there’s some real business experience in the mix, too.
Challenges and Considerations
Still, it’s not all smooth sailing. There’s a real risk that NIL deals could pull student-athletes away from their studies. Schools and athletic associations are going to have to step up and help guide them through this new territory.
And there’s the heart of high school sports to think about—teamwork, sportsmanship, grades. Keeping that balance is going to matter if high school athletics are going to keep their soul intact.
Conclusion
Ohio high schools letting student-athletes sign NIL deals is a pretty big shift for high school sports. It’s one of those things that just feels like a turning point, whether everyone’s ready for it or not.
There’s a lot to figure out. Schools, athletes, and everyone else involved will have to sort out how to handle these new opportunities—hopefully with some common sense and fairness.
If you’re interested in the details, the full article is over on the State News website.
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