In a pretty big moment for high school sports, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) is holding a referendum vote on whether student-athletes should be allowed to benefit from Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. This is happening three years after OHSAA member schools first voted against it.
The referendum, running from November 17-21, could open the door for high school athletes to land endorsement deals—with some restrictions, of course. Here’s a closer look at what’s behind the vote, the lawsuit that got things moving, and what NIL might mean for Ohio’s high schoolers.
Understanding NIL and Its Impact on High School Athletes
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) lets athletes make money from their personal brand and talents. College athletes in Ohio have had this opportunity since 2021.
If this referendum passes, high school athletes all over Ohio could finally get a piece of that pie, earning money based on their skills and popularity. It’s a big shift, no doubt.
The Lawsuit That Sparked Change
The push for NIL in Ohio high schools really picked up after a lawsuit filed by Jasmine Brown, mom of Jamier Brown, who’s a high school junior and committed to Ohio State. The lawsuit, filed October 15 in Franklin County, challenged OHSAA bylaws that kept high school athletes from signing paid endorsement deals.
According to the suit, Jamier Brown missed out on more than $100,000 in potential revenue because of those rules. In response, Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Jaiza Page issued a temporary restraining order that put OHSAA’s NIL ban on hold.
This restraining order will stick around until a preliminary injunction hearing on December 15. OHSAA has said it would rather set its own NIL guidelines than let the courts decide everything.
Details of the OHSAA Referendum
If the referendum passes, OHSAA has laid out some ground rules for NIL deals, including:
- Prohibited Endorsements: Student-athletes can’t promote stuff like alcohol, cannabis, gambling, or tobacco.
- Time Restrictions: NIL activities aren’t allowed during school hours, practices, games, or at any other times the OHSAA thinks are “inappropriate or distracting.”
- Disclosure Requirements: Athletes have to tell the OHSAA about NIL agreements within 14 days. If they don’t, they could face penalties, including losing eligibility for up to 20% of the season.
- Ban on NIL Collectives: Groups like the Buckeye Sports Group, which handle deals for Ohio State athletes, can’t manage NIL opportunities for high schoolers.
Voting and Implementation
The referendum just needs a simple majority from the OHSAA’s 815 member schools to pass. High school principals will vote, and results are expected on November 24.
If it’s approved, the new rules kick in right away. Businesses could then reach out to student-athletes and their families to start negotiating endorsement deals.
NIL: A New Era for High School Sports
Bringing NIL to high schools is a pretty big change for amateur athletics. It gives student-athletes a shot to make money and start building their personal brands early.
Of course, it also brings new challenges for athletes and for the folks running the show. There’s a lot to figure out.
Educational and Strategic Support
Knowing that NIL isn’t exactly simple, OHSAA has teamed up with Influential Athlete, a consulting firm that specializes in NIL education and strategy. The idea is to help student-athletes and their families get their heads around all the opportunities—and the pitfalls—of NIL deals.
Potential Legal Outcomes
Even with this referendum, the legal situation around NIL is still pretty unsettled. If Judge Page—or another judge—rules in favor of Jamier Brown in the ongoing lawsuit, that decision could override whatever happens with the OHSAA vote.
So, for now, everyone’s watching to see how this plays out. It’s a wait-and-see kind of thing.
What’s Next for Ohio High School Athletes?
The results of the OHSAA referendum are about to shake up high school sports in Ohio. If it passes, other states might jump on board, weaving NIL deeper into the world of amateur athletics.
If it doesn’t pass, the legal fight probably isn’t going anywhere. This whole thing will just keep grabbing headlines for a while.
Want to keep up with all the twists and turns? Check out the original article on the Dispatch.
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