High school sports are changing fast, and the debate over name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals has landed in Wyoming. While Colorado is letting high school athletes sign NIL deals, Wyoming lawmakers seem to be digging in their heels.
Senator Gary Crum has introduced Senate File 53, which is supposed to protect the amateur status of high school athletes in the state. The bill would ban high school athletes from getting paid for anything related to their sports activities, and, as you’d expect, that’s stirred up plenty of talk.
The Genesis of NIL in High School Sports
NIL started in college sports. Universities were making big money off their athletes, and people started asking—shouldn’t the players get something too?
That idea has trickled down to high schools in some states, Colorado included. In 2024, Ella Hagen, a two-time state champ from Colorado, signed an NIL deal with HOKA while she was still in high school. She got paid, sure, but also landed a professional mentor and even got to travel internationally.
Colorado vs. Wyoming: A Tale of Two States
Colorado’s High School Activities Association changed its rules to let students benefit from NIL activities. Wyoming’s High School Activities Association (WHSAA), though, isn’t on board.
Right now, WHSAA rules say Wyoming high school athletes can’t do NIL deals. Senator Crum’s bill would make that official, putting it into state law and keeping high school athletes as amateurs.
The Crum Legacy and Perspective
Senator Gary Crum knows sports—he played offensive line for the University of Wyoming from 1979 to 1981 and even had a short run with the Miami Dolphins. He’s a big believer that high school sports should be about education and personal growth, not turning a profit.
Arguments Against NIL in High School Sports
Crum points out that, unlike college sports, high school sports in Wyoming don’t really bring in much money. He wants athletics to teach kids about teamwork, competitiveness, and dependability, not chasing dollars.
He’s also worried that boosters from bigger towns could poach talent from smaller ones, which he thinks would mess with the spirit of high school sports.
Legislation Details and Implications
Senate File 53, called “Keeping Amateurism in High School Athletics,” would block high school athletes from getting paid for playing WHSAA-sanctioned sports. The bill doesn’t get rid of awards, trophies, travel, food, or funding from junior national teams or Olympic committees.
It’s just about stopping direct financial compensation tied to high school sports. That’s the line they’re drawing.
National Trends and Local Concerns
All this is happening while most states are heading the other way. A 2025 investigation from the University of Maryland’s Shirley Povich Center for Sports Journalism found that 41 states plus D.C. now allow high school NIL deals.
Still, WHSAA Commissioner Trevor Wilson says there’s no interest in developing an NIL policy for Wyoming high school athletes right now. He’s good with the status quo.
Community and Coach Perspectives
Don Julian, who’s coached football at Sheridan High forever, supports Crum’s bill. He thinks paying kids would ruin what makes high school sports special.
Steve Mischke, a track coach in Johnson County, isn’t a fan of NIL at any level. He worries about exploitation and sees it as a threat to the integrity of high school athletics.
The Future of High School Sports in Wyoming
Crum admits his bill could push some talented athletes to leave Wyoming for NIL-friendly states like Colorado. He’s not thrilled about that, but thinks it’s worth it to keep high school sports focused on personal growth and community, not money.
Conclusion
The whole NIL debate in high school sports is heating up, and Wyoming’s right in the thick of it. Senator Gary Crum has a bill on the table that would keep high school athletes focused on school and growing as people—rather than chasing paychecks before they’ve even graduated.
Is that the right move? Honestly, it’s tough to say. National trends are pulling things in a different direction, but for now, Wyoming seems pretty set on keeping things simple and maybe even a little old-school.
If you want to dig deeper into what’s happening, check out the full story at Cowboy State Daily.
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