Sports & NIL

Short answer: It depends on the state and the athletic association. As of 2026, the high school NIL landscape is a state-by-state patchwork — some states permit it, others restrict or prohibit it, and others remain silent.

There is no single federal rule for high school NIL. Each state high school athletic association sets its own policy, and several state legislatures have passed laws that override or constrain those policies. California, New York, New Jersey, and several other states permit some form of high school NIL, generally with restrictions around team logos, recruiting inducements, and certain categories like alcohol, tobacco, sports betting, and adult content.

Before signing any deal, confirm three things: (1) the state's current statute or regulation; (2) the state high school athletic association's current NIL policy; (3) the specific school district's rules. The penalty for getting this wrong is loss of eligibility — far more costly than the deal itself.

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