The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) recently approved a policy that lets high school athletes profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). This move has set off a wave of debate in the state legislature, with some lawmakers gearing up to introduce legislation to overturn it.
There’s a lot to unpack here, from the perspectives of school officials to lawmakers and, of course, the student-athletes themselves.
The Emergence of NIL in Ohio High Schools
Ohio’s now the 45th state to give high school athletes NIL rights. The reaction? Pretty mixed, honestly.
OHSAA member schools voted on the policy: 447 said yes, 121 said no, and 247 didn’t vote at all. This all happened after Franklin County Judge Jaiza Page issued a restraining order that temporarily blocked OHSAA from enforcing its old bylaw against NIL compensation.
Legislative Pushback
Even with support from many schools, some lawmakers aren’t convinced. State Rep. Adam Bird (R., Cincinnati) is leading the effort to ban NIL deals for athletes in grades 7 through 12.
He wants to introduce legislation in early 2026. Bird argues that high school sports should be about things like fitness, character, and leadership—not money or recruiting battles.
Concerns Over NIL’s Impact on High School Sports
Bird’s not the only one with doubts. State Rep. Brian Stewart (R., Ashville) has also voiced skepticism about letting high schoolers earn money from their NIL.
Stewart points out that the money side of high school sports is nothing like college, where NIL’s been around since 2021. It’s a different world, and he’s not sure this is the right path.
OHSAA’s Response
OHSAA spokesman Tim Stried said they’re aware of the push for new legislation. The organization plans to keep an eye on things while working with the new bylaw.
Stried mentioned that Judge Page’s restraining order really forced their hand, and they felt they had to move quickly.
House Bill 184: Protecting College Athletes
This NIL debate at the high school level comes just after the state legislature passed House Bill 184. That bill’s designed to protect college athletes from shady agents and make sure they can benefit from their NIL after their college careers end.
State Rep. Ty Mathews (R., Findlay) and Rep. Brian Stewart co-sponsored this bill.
Key Provisions of H.B. 184
House Bill 184 covers a few things:
- Limits NIL contracts to the period of athletic eligibility to protect athletes’ futures.
- Gives private volunteer fire departments access to state fire department grants.
- Expands support for public safety officers dealing with post-traumatic stress through Ohio’s post-traumatic stress fund.
Mathews says the bill responds to real needs in Ohio communities and is meant to shield student-athletes from being taken advantage of.
The Future of NIL in Ohio High Schools
So, what’s next? It’s tough to say. OHSAA’s move was big, but with Rep. Bird leading the charge to overturn it, nothing’s set in stone.
There’s a lot of disagreement on how to best support and protect young athletes, and no easy answers.
Potential Implications
If Bird’s legislation passes, it might influence what other states decide to do about NIL. The outcome here could shape the national conversation about NIL in high school sports—and how to balance athletic opportunities with educational values.
Conclusion
The debate over NIL rights for high school athletes in Ohio isn’t going away anytime soon. It’s honestly just one chapter in a much bigger national conversation.
Lawmakers, educators, and sports groups are all trying to figure this out. The main thing on everyone’s mind? The well-being and growth of these student-athletes—at least, that’s what they say.
Ohio might stick with the OHSAA’s new policy, or maybe they’ll backtrack and ban NIL deals again. Either way, whatever they decide is bound to shape what high school sports look like down the road.
If you want to dig deeper, check out the full article from the Toledo Blade here.
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