What Are the NIL Rules for High School Athletes?

nil laws May 29, 2025

NIL isn’t just a college issue anymore. Across the country, high school athletes are starting to cash in on their name, image, and likeness, but only in states where it’s allowed.

Just like with college NIL rules, each state sets its own policies for high schoolers. Some states give student-athletes full NIL rights. Others ban it outright. A few haven’t made a clear call either way.

Whether you’re a parent, coach, or athlete, here’s what you need to know.

Who Sets the Rules?

For high school athletes, NIL rules aren’t usually made by the state legislature. Instead, they’re set by state high school athletic associations.

Each association decides whether athletes can profit from their name, image, and likeness without risking eligibility.

States That Allow High School NIL Deals

As of 2025, over 30 state associations allow some form of NIL activity for high school athletes. These include:

California (one of the first to allow it)
New York
Illinois
Colorado
North Carolina
Texas (via certain private school leagues)

Athletes in these states can sign endorsement deals, promote brands on social media, and monetize their personal brand, so long as they follow any restrictions set by their state or school.

This is where preparation matters. NIL isn’t just about being allowed to do something, it’s about knowing how to do it right.

That’s why The Warm-Up was created. It helps high school athletes build a strong digital foundation, clean up their social media, and define their personal identity, so they’re not just eligible, they’re ready to be visible, and monetize a digital offer.

Make money by selling something online, like a product, service, or piece of content.

In plain terms, it could look like:

Selling a training plan as a PDF
Charging for access to a video series or private group
Offering paid Zoom sessions, lessons, or Q&As
Creating a downloadable guide, checklist, or resource people pay to access

States That Ban High School NIL

Several states still prohibit high school athletes from profiting off their NIL. If athletes break the rule, they can lose eligibility to play.

Examples include:

Georgia
Mississippi
Alabama
South Dakota

These bans are often in place to “protect amateurism,” although pressure is mounting to modernize the rules.

States Without Clear NIL Policies

Some states haven’t explicitly said yes or no. In these cases, decisions are often made at the school or district level, and rules can vary.

Map image source ncsasports

What to Watch For

Some associations only allow non-school-affiliated NIL (meaning you can’t wear your school’s logo or name in ads).
Others require pre-approval or disclosure forms.
A few are actively revisiting their NIL stance in 2025.

Why You Should Care

NIL isn’t just a college conversation anymore. High school athletes with large followings, or standout talent, are attracting real opportunities.