*Updated 11/26/2025
On July 1, 2021, the world of athlete marketing expanded dramatically, welcoming nearly 500,000 college student-athletes to the NIL era. This seismic shift brought two immediate questions to the forefront:
- How can I get paid?
- When can I start?
For college athletes, the “how” is being answered daily through creative deals and brand partnerships. But for high school athletes, the “when” question is far from uniform across the United States.
A Quick Look at NIL and High School Athletics
When Quinn Ewers skipped his senior season at Carroll Senior High School in Texas to join Ohio State, he made headlines—and reportedly secured a $1.4 million NIL deal shortly after enrolling. Despite Ewers’ career having evolved to the professional ranks, his move underscored how NIL opportunities vary significantly by state.
From Olympic-level high schoolers to local standouts, many student-athletes stand to benefit from their name, image, and likeness. However, state-by-state high school athletic association rules shape whether and how these young athletes can cash in on their personal brand.
Your State-by-State NIL Guide
Below is a state-by-state breakdown of where NIL is confirmed permitted, under membership considerations, or prohibited for high school student-athletes. This snapshot provides clarity for student-athletes, parents, brands, and fans eager to understand the NIL opportunities (or limitations) in their state.
NIL Status Overview
What Does This Mean for You?
For high school athletes, it’s essential to know your state’s rules before pursuing NIL deals. Policies are evolving quickly—some states have embraced NIL fully, while others remain cautious. Always consult your high school athletic director or state association for the most accurate, up-to-date guidance.
About this data
This information was gathered in three phases – first, the individual states with NIL laws in place were examined for provisions applicable to high school and prospective student-athletes. In most cases, the NIL State laws were isolated to collegiate student-athletes. Second, the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) member and affiliate state associations handbooks were individually analyzed, specifically the amateurism and awards-based policies. Finally, in order to provide the most comprehensive answers, direct contact was made via email and phone with each athletic association. If a clear response was provided directly from a member of the association’s staff, the status was updated to one of the following;
- “Confirmed Permitted”, meaning, under the existing bylaws, it is confirmed that high school student-athletes under the corresponding association have the freedom to monetize their NIL, to varying degrees.
- “Under Membership Considerations”, meaning, under the existing bylaws, it is confirmed NIL and amateurism rules will be discussed and/or addressed in upcoming leadership meetings.
- “Confirmed Prohibited”, meaning, under the existing bylaws, it is confirmed that high school student-athletes under the corresponding association are prohibited from being compensated for their NIL.
If you spot an inaccuracy in this data or want to share updates, please contact Director, Collegiate Services & Insights Braly Keller at braly.keller@opendorse.com.