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Navigate NIL with Confidence

NCAA Rules State Laws Tax Guide Contracts 101 Red Flags

State-by-State Laws

Permissive States

Few restrictions, high school NIL allowed

• California

• Texas

• Florida

• New York

+ 36 more states

Moderate States

Some restrictions, high school rules vary

• Illinois

• Michigan

• Pennsylvania

+ several others

Restrictive States

High school NIL prohibited or limited

• Ohio (OHSAA ban)

• Kentucky

• Wisconsin

+ a few others

High School NIL Rules

⚠️ Mandatory Compliance Verification Required

ALL high school NIL deals must be verified through the GamePlan NIL High School Compliance Hub (HCH) before activation. Unverified deals risk:

Loss of high school eligibility
College recruitment red flags
Team penalties or suspensions
State law violations

What HCH Verifies:

1
State Law

Check against your state's athletic association rules

2
School Policy

Verify compliance with your school's specific NIL rules

3
Brand Safety

Screen for prohibited categories (alcohol, gambling, etc.)

Allowed

40+ States

High school athletes CAN earn NIL income

Examples:

• California - Very permissive

• Texas - Allowed with disclosure

• Florida - Allowed, few restrictions

• New York - Allowed since 2023

• Georgia - Allowed with limits

• Illinois - Recently allowed

Still requires school disclosure

Limited

Some States

Allowed but with significant restrictions

Common Restrictions:

• Can't use school name/logo

• Can't wear uniform in deals

• Must get school approval first

• No deals during season

• Geographic limitations

• Dollar amount caps

Rules change frequently - check often

Banned

~10 States

High school NIL is prohibited

States with Bans:

• Ohio - OHSAA ban

• Kentucky - KHSAA ban

• Wisconsin - WIAA ban

• Vermont - Not allowed

• Iowa - Restricted

+ a few others

Wait until college to earn NIL

High School vs. College NIL: Key Differences

Rule High School College
Permissibility Varies by state + association Allowed nationwide
School Logo Use Usually BANNED Requires permission
Uniform in Deals Usually BANNED Check conference rules
Parental Consent REQUIRED (under 18) Not required (18+)
Disclosure to School Required in most states Required
Penalties for Violation Loss of eligibility Loss of eligibility

DO's for High Schoolers

  • Check Your State First

    Use GamePlan's Eligibility Engine before accepting ANY deal

  • Get Parent Approval

    If you're under 18, parents MUST co-sign contracts

  • Disclose to Athletic Director

    Tell your AD before signing—transparency prevents issues

  • Use Personal Accounts Only

    Post NIL content on YOUR social media, not team accounts

  • Keep It Simple

    Start with small, local deals—test the waters first

DON'Ts for High Schoolers

  • Don't Assume It's Legal

    Just because your friend does it doesn't mean it's allowed in YOUR state

  • Don't Wear Your Uniform

    Almost always banned—wear personal clothes in brand content

  • Don't Use School Name/Logo

    "Lincoln High point guard" = risky. Use your name only.

  • Don't Hide Deals from Coaches

    Coaches finding out later = trust issues + potential violations

  • Don't Sign Long Contracts

    You'll be in college soon—keep deals short (3-6 months max)

For Parents of High School Athletes

Your Legal Role

  • • You MUST co-sign all contracts (athlete under 18)
  • • You're legally responsible for contract terms
  • • You must ensure compliance with state laws
  • • You're liable for taxes on athlete's earnings

Questions to Ask Before Signing

  • • "Is this legal in our state?"
  • • "Does this violate school rules?"
  • • "Will this affect college eligibility?"
  • • "What are the tax implications?"
Learn About Parent Portal
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