Big news for Ohio high school sports—there’s a bill in the works that would stop student-athletes from making money off their name, image, or likeness (NIL). House Bill 661, first put forward by State Representatives Adam Bird and Mike Odioso, has stirred up some strong opinions.
The bill is still short a few votes, but it’s brought a lot of attention to the tug-of-war between keeping high school sports “amateur” and the growing trend of athlete endorsements.
The Reintroduction of House Bill 661
House Bill 661, led by Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) and Mike Odioso (R-Green Township), would ban high school athletes in Ohio from cashing in on NIL deals. Even though it doesn’t have enough support yet, Bird says he’ll try again when the new general assembly meets in January 2027.
Bird feels pretty strongly about keeping high school sports focused on growing up, not business. He worries that NIL deals blur the lines between being a student, working a job, and playing taxpayer-funded sports.
Current NIL Landscape in Ohio High Schools
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) made a big move by letting student-athletes sign NIL deals, thanks to an emergency bylaw referendum. Ohio became the 45th state to allow it at the high school level.
Out of OHSAA’s 815 schools, 447 voted yes, 121 voted no, and 247 didn’t vote at all. That’s a big shift from the old amateur rules that have been around since 1907.
Proponents and Opponents of NIL in High School Sports
People who support NIL say it gives student-athletes a shot at earning money and learning about business. OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute pointed out that only about 45 student-athletes in Ohio—less than 1%—actually have NIL deals right now.
Ute told the Ohio House Education Committee he’s worried about turning high school sports into a pay-to-play situation, but he thinks the current setup is a decent middle ground.
Voices from the Field
Plenty of coaches and former players have jumped into the conversation. St. Xavier football coach Steve Specht and ex-NFL quarterback Jon Kitna, now coaching at Lakota East, have both backed NIL opportunities.
They believe NIL deals can teach students real-world skills, like handling their public image and learning how business works.
Potential Implications of House Bill 661
If House Bill 661 comes back and passes, it would seriously change things for Ohio’s high school athletes. The bill’s goal is to keep high school sports amateur and avoid turning them into a business.
But it also brings up a tough question: is it fair to block student-athletes from making money off their own talents?
Comparative Analysis
Ohio isn’t alone in this. States like Texas and California, both huge when it comes to high school sports, are wrestling with similar debates.
The National Federation of State High School Associations is watching all this closely and trying to help states figure out the best path forward.
Looking Ahead
With January 2027 on the horizon, it’s pretty clear that House Bill 661 will get people talking again about NIL and high school sports. Lawmakers, coaches, students, and parents will have to work through the tricky balance between tradition and the reality of modern sports.
Conclusion
The reintroduction of House Bill 661 in Ohio is shaping up to be a big deal for high school sports. There’s this ongoing tension—do we keep things old-school and amateur, or do we roll with the times and let student-athletes chase new opportunities?
Honestly, it feels like nobody’s got the perfect answer. How do you even balance protecting the spirit of high school sports while making sure these kids get a fair shot to benefit from their skills?
If you’re curious and want to dig deeper, check out the full article on WCPO’s website.
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