Ohio has officially entered the era of high school Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements. The state now joins over 40 others in letting high school athletes profit from their personal brands.
This move follows a lawsuit by a top Ohio football prospect who argued he’d missed out on big financial opportunities. With the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) approving an emergency referendum, teenagers can now earn money through endorsements, social media, personal merchandise, camps, and more.
Ohio’s just getting started with NIL, but there are lessons to pick up from states that have already been down this road. Some have handled the messiness better than others.
The Landscape of High School NIL Deals
The introduction of NIL rules for high school athletes has brought a mix of opportunity and challenge across the country. States like New Jersey, Georgia, and Florida were among the first to adopt these rules.
Their experiences offer a preview of what Ohio might face. Despite early worries about chaos, most NIL deals at the high school level have stayed pretty modest and local.
Types of NIL Deals
High school NIL deals usually fall into five main categories:
- Local endorsements: Athletes promote local businesses—think restaurants, car dealerships, barbershops, or gyms. Sometimes they get small payments, sometimes just free stuff.
- Social media influencer partnerships: Athletes with strong TikTok or Instagram followings might land paid posts, affiliate deals, or product partnerships.
- Camps and clinics: Some athletes run their own youth camps, get paid to work at camps, or offer private training sessions.
- Personal merchandise: Selling T-shirts, hoodies, or logos with their name or brand—just not school logos or team trademarks.
- National brands: A handful of blue-chip prospects score big with deals from brands like Nike or Adidas.
Financial Tiers of High School NIL Deals
The money in high school NIL deals is all over the place, with a few athletes making a lot and most making a little:
- Tier 1: National stars can earn $1 million to $10 million, but this is rare and usually reserved for truly exceptional talents.
- Tier 2: High-profile athletes, especially in women’s basketball and volleyball, might earn $500,000 or more.
- Tier 3: Strong Division I prospects earn anywhere from $1,000 to $40,000, mostly from local deals and free products.
- Tier 4: Most high school deals fall here—just a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, often from social media posts or running camps.
Sports Most Affected by NIL
The NIL scene in high school sports tends to mirror what’s happening in college. Some sports and positions just get more attention and money.
- Football: Quarterbacks and skill players are the most visible and tend to land the biggest deals.
- Men’s basketball: Elite prospects with strong national rankings and a big social media presence do especially well.
- Women’s basketball and volleyball: Female athletes with large online followings often land lucrative partnerships.
- Gymnastics, baseball, softball, and track: There’s occasional NIL success here, but it really depends on the athlete.
Lessons from Early Adopters
States that jumped into NIL early have shown what works—and what doesn’t. Clear, simple rules help avoid confusion and legal headaches.
For example, Wisconsin and Georgia use “YES/NO” charts so families can actually understand what’s allowed. Ohio’s following their lead by putting out educational materials and charts for athletes and families.
Enforcement and Compliance
Enforcement is going to matter for Ohio schools and athletes. Many states require student-athletes to notify their school within a week of signing any NIL deal to stay eligible.
California, for instance, uses a self-policing system where schools and individuals are supposed to keep themselves in line. It’s not perfect, but it’s what’s out there.
Challenges and Considerations
NIL rules open up new doors, but there are some headaches too. Smaller schools might struggle with the paperwork and keeping track of all the NIL disclosures.
There are also worries about fairness—big schools could have an edge, while smaller or rural teams get left behind. States have had to spell out that NIL can’t be used to recruit athletes, but enforcing that is tricky.
Educational Programs
To help families and athletes, states like Florida have started programs about taxes, contracts, and scam prevention. Ohio’s administrators have rolled out materials too, hoping to keep everyone on the right side of the rules—and out of trouble.
Conclusion
Ohio’s heading into the high school NIL era with a bit of an advantage. Other states have already stumbled through the early days, so there’s plenty to learn from their mistakes and wins.
NIL isn’t going to define Ohio high school sports, but let’s be honest—it’ll change them. Teens will see new doors open, and families, well, they’ll have more to think about than ever.
Schools and administrators are going to have to step up their game, too. There’s no way around it—oversight just got a little trickier.
If you want the full scoop, check out the article on Cleveland.com. It’s worth a read.
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