The landscape of high school athletics in Louisiana could be on the verge of some big changes. A Louisiana Legislature task force has rolled out recommendations to regulate name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals for student-athletes.
These rules are meant to keep things fair and protect young athletes as they start navigating the wild world of NIL opportunities. From broadening what counts as an agent to making sure parents are involved for minors, the task force’s ideas might really shake up high school sports in the state.
Expanding the Definition of Agents
One major recommendation is to widen the definition of an agent. Now, it would include anyone helping secure NIL deals for athletes.
The goal? More transparency and accountability. If you’re involved, you’re held to the same standards as everyone else.
Hopefully, this keeps young athletes from getting taken advantage of and helps them get fair representation. It’s a move that feels overdue, honestly.
Background Checks and Mandatory Training
The task force also wants the Louisiana attorney general to require background checks for registered agents. Plus, agents would have to go through mandatory NIL training.
This is meant to make sure only qualified and trustworthy people are representing student-athletes. It’s a layer of protection that seems pretty reasonable.
Parental Consent and Industry Restrictions
Since most high school athletes are minors, the task force suggests that parents must sign off on any sponsorship deals. That way, parents know exactly what their kids are getting into.
They’ve also proposed banning deals with certain industries like adult entertainment and alcohol. The idea is to keep sponsorships appropriate for students—seems like common sense, right?
Regulating NIL Activities During School Hours
The recommendations include rules about NIL work during school hours and school events. The task force wants to make sure student-athletes can still focus on their education and team commitments.
It’s a tricky balance, but it sounds like they’re trying to avoid letting NIL deals take over everything.
Protected Trust Accounts for Underaged Athletes
There’s also a push for part of the money earned by underaged athletes to go into a protected trust account. That way, they can access their earnings when they’re adults.
This is similar to laws for child actors and is supposed to give young athletes more financial security down the line.
Legislative Support and Implementation Timeline
State Rep. Tehmi Chassion, D-Lafayette, and Rep. Rashid Young, D-Homer, are expected to carry the legislation. Of course, any new laws would need approval from Gov. Jeff Landry and Republican lawmakers.
The task force wants schools to update NIL policies by August 2026. If things move quickly, new legislation could be filed in the regular session starting March 9 and wrapping up June 1.
If passed, the changes would likely go into effect the following August or January. It’s not exactly around the corner, but it’s not far off either.
Funding Structures of College Athletics Departments
The task force also wants a separate group to study how athletics departments at Louisiana’s public colleges and universities are funded. LSU football makes enough money to cover its other sports, but most other schools don’t and need help from the university.
To help, lawmakers approved a bill to raise the state tax on sports gambling. The extra money will go to college athletics programs.
Starting next year, each school should get about $2 million annually from this program. It’s not a fix-all, but it’s a start.
Mental Health Education and Title IX Implications
The task force is also pushing for more mental health education for student-athletes. Universities are encouraged to create programs that tackle the unique pressures these athletes face.
They also want schools to consider Title IX when making NIL policies and revenue-sharing agreements. Title IX is about making sure there’s equity in educational access, including athletic scholarships that match the gender balance in enrollment.
But, it doesn’t require equal spending on men’s and women’s programs—just proportional opportunities. That’s always a tricky line to walk.
International Student-Athletes and Federal Guidance
International student-athletes have their own set of challenges. Visa restrictions keep them from outside employment or earning money, so NIL deals are a legal minefield.
The task force recommends that universities bar international athletes from NIL deals until there’s some kind of federal guidance. The idea is to protect these students from accidentally putting their legal status at risk.
Looking Ahead
Louisiana’s about to roll out new NIL regulations, and the task force has put together a pretty thorough set of recommendations. They’re looking at everything from agent rules to mental health education.
It’s clear the goal is to give student-athletes a fair shot and some real support as they navigate NIL deals. If you’re curious about the nitty-gritty, the full article is over at Tiger Rag.
Guess we’ll see how it all shakes out as lawmakers dig in and changes start rolling through Louisiana’s high school sports scene.
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