Ohio High School Athletes Gain NIL Rights After Statewide Ban Lifted

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Big news for high school athletes in Ohio: they can finally make money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) thanks to a temporary restraining order that just lifted the statewide ban. All of this started with a lawsuit filed by Jasmine Brown for her son, Jamier Brown, who’s a top football recruit.

The case is challenging the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s (OHSAA) NIL ban, arguing it violates free speech and equal protection rights. Now, high school athletes all over Ohio can jump into NIL contracts, opening up new ways to earn and build their brands.

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The Lawsuit that Sparked Change

Jasmine Brown filed the lawsuit in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, and it’s really shaken things up. The complaint says the state’s NIL ban steps on student-athletes’ First Amendment rights and treats them unfairly compared to college athletes and even non-athlete students.

At the heart of this is Jamier Brown, a standout wide receiver at Wayne High School who’s already committed to Ohio State University.

Key Arguments and Legal Grounds

Here’s what the lawsuit laid out:

First Amendment Violation: The NIL ban is a blanket prohibition on the First Amendment expression of student-athletes.
Equal Protection Clause: The ban discriminates against high school athletes compared to college athletes and non-athlete students.
State Antitrust Law: The ban restrains student-athletes from participating in the lawful market for NIL opportunities.

Judge Jaiza Page sided with the Browns, issuing a 45-day temporary injunction. That means high school athletes can start profiting from their NIL while the case moves forward.

Immediate Impact on High School Athletes

With this order in place, Jamier Brown and other high school athletes in Ohio can get right to signing NIL deals. Jamier’s first step? A contract to license and promote trading cards—a deal that could bring in over $100,000.

For young athletes, it’s not just about the money. It’s a shot at building a personal brand and getting more exposure, too.

Broader Implications

This decision could shake up a lot more than just Ohio:

Empowerment: High school athletes across Ohio can now leverage their popularity for financial gain.
Market Opportunities: Businesses and marketing agencies can engage with a new demographic of influencers.
Legal Precedent: This case could influence similar lawsuits in the remaining states that still prohibit high school NIL contracts.

OHSAA’s Response and Future Actions

The OHSAA isn’t just sitting back. They’ve called for an emergency referendum vote on the NIL question. The board approved the language of an NIL bylaw back in September, and it was supposed to go up for a vote in May 2026.

Now, that vote’s getting bumped up and will happen before the injunction hearing this winter.

Proposed NIL Bylaw

The new bylaw would set up reporting procedures and limits, building on what the NCAA already does. If voters approve it, schools would have a say in shaping how NIL contracts work for high schoolers.

If it gets voted down—like the 2022 attempt that failed two-to-one—then it’s back to the courts. There’s a hearing on a longer injunction in December, and maybe even a trial in October 2026.

The lifting of Ohio’s NIL ban for high school athletes is a pretty big deal. It opens up fresh opportunities for young sports talents who, until now, had to sit on the sidelines when it came to earning from their own name and image.

Jasmine and Jamier Brown really shook things up by challenging the old rules. Not only did they secure some immediate wins for themselves, but honestly, they’ve probably helped set a new path for other high school athletes in Ohio.

The legal proceedings are still rolling, and, let’s be real, a lot of people across the country are watching Ohio right now. How this case plays out could seriously influence the future of NIL rights in high school sports everywhere.

For more details, check out the full article on Courthouse News.

Joe Hughes is the founder of CollegeNetWorth.com, a comprehensive resource on college athletes' earnings potential in the NIL era. Combining his passion for sports with expertise in collegiate athletics, Joe provides valuable insights for athletes, fans, and institutions navigating this new landscape.

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