Five years ago, the NCAA began allowing college athletes to make Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) money. Now, high school athletes can do the same.
The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) made the announcement a few weeks ago.
Here are some of the rules:
Allowed activities include endorsements, social media promos, personal appearances, autograph/photo sessions, merchandise, etc. These deals must be individual opportunities for individual athletes. No groups, collectives or pay-for-play.
The NIL deal cannot tie compensation to athletic performance, awards or team results.
Also, schools, coaches, staff or boosters cannot arrange, negotiate, promote or be involved in the deal.
The NIL deal cannot happen during school hours, school events or on school property.
The deals must align with school politics and cannot involve inappropriate industries. Examples include alcohol or gambling.
Geoff Kimmerly with MHSAA spoke to Local 4 about what this all means for high school students and their families. You can watch the full interview at the beginning of this article.
Local 4 also hosted a roundtable of experts to navigate the new opportunities in NIL for high school students. Northville Schools Superintendent RJ Webber, founder of Athletech Academy and former D1 Women’s basketball player at Ball State, Chloe Barnes Henderson, Athletic Director at Dakota High School in Macomb Township, Shane Finney, and former NFL player, former Michigan State player and high school coach, Jehuu Caulcrick.
You can watch the full roundtable panel at the beginning of this article.