*Updated 5/30/2025

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

State	Governing Body	NIL Status	Notes & Key Details
Alabama	Alabama High School Athletic Association	Pending Legislative Action	NIL activities remain prohibited under AHSAA rules, but legislation has been introduced to permit it at some level.
Alaska	Alaska School Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL monetization is permitted if unaffiliated with teams, schools, or the ASAA.
Arizona	Arizona Interscholastic Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL monetization is permitted if unaffiliated with teams, schools, or the AIA.
Arkansas	Arkansas Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL monetization is permitted if unaffiliated with teams, schools, or the AAA.
California	California Interscholastic Federation	Confirmed Permitted	NIL is permitted, but without use of school logos, uniforms, or direct team references.
Colorado	Colorado High School Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	Student-athletes can monetize NIL, excluding school-affiliated assets.
Connecticut	Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference	Confirmed Permitted	NIL permissible with required disclosure; vice industry endorsements prohibited.
Delaware	Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association	Under Membership Consideration	Currently prohibited, but discussions ongoing.
District of Columbia	District of Columbia State Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL is permitted without use of school branding or logos.
Florida	Florida High School Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL monetization is permitted if unaffiliated with teams, schools, or the FHSAA.
Georgia	Georgia High School Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL monetization is permitted if unaffiliated with teams, schools, or the GHSA.
Hawaii	Hawaii High School Athletic Association	Confirmed Prohibited	NIL activities are prohibited for high schoolers.
Idaho	Idaho High School Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL monetization is permitted if unaffiliated with teams, schools, or the IHSAA.
Illinois	Illinois High School Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL permissible with prohibitions on school logos and vice industry endorsements.
Indiana	Indiana High School Athletic Association	Confirmed Prohibited	NIL monetization is still prohibited under IHSAA amateurism rules.
Iowa	Iowa High School Athletic Association & Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union	Confirmed Permitted	NIL activities deals must steer clear of pay-for-play or inducements, as well as impermissible logo use.
Kansas	Kansas State High School Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL permitted with clear usage restrictions for schools, logos, and practices.
Kentucky	Kentucky High School Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL monetization is permitted if unaffiliated with teams, schools, or the KHSAA.
Louisiana	Louisiana High School Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL is allowed under general amateurism guidelines.
Maine	Maine Principals’ Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL permitted with clear usage restrictions for schools, logos, and practices.
Maryland	Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	Guidelines permit NIL while restricting certain categories and banning NIL collectives.
Massachusetts	Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL is allowed under general amateurism guidelines.
Michigan	Michigan High School Athletic Association	Under Membership Consideration	Currently prohibited, but under review.
Minnesota	Minnesota State High School League	Confirmed Permitted	Student-athletes can engage in NIL activities while avoiding restricted industries.
Mississippi	Mississippi High School Activities Association	Confirmed Prohibited	NIL activities are prohibited for high schoolers.
Missouri	Missouri State High School Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL is permitted and MSHSAA has a detailed policy outlining NIL do’s and don’ts.
Montana	Montana High School Association	Confirmed Permitted	Currently prohibited, but under review.
Nebraska	Nebraska School Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	Student-athletes can engage in NIL activities while avoiding restricted industries.
Nevada	Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL governed by state administrative code—requires no school logos or team marks.
New Hampshire	New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL permissible with few limitations.
New Jersey	New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL permitted with clear usage restrictions for schools, logos, and practices.
New Mexico	New Mexico Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL permitted with no direct school or league tie-ins.
New York	New York State Public High School Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	Executive committee updates allow NIL as long as there’s no school or section affiliation.
North Carolina	North Carolina High School Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL currently allowed student-athletes, however the regulations have been heavily contested within local government.
North Dakota	North Dakota High School Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL deals approved with clear school and booster involvement restrictions.
Ohio	Ohio High School Athletic Association	Confirmed Prohibited	NIL proposal failed in 2022; currently prohibited.
Oklahoma	Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL monetization permitted with usual limitations on logos and inducements.
Oregon	Oregon School Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL monetization is permitted if unaffiliated with teams, schools, or the OSAA.
Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL monetization permitted with clear restrictions on prohibited industries and logos.
Rhode Island	Rhode Island Interscholastic League	Confirmed Permitted	NIL rules permit monetization without league or school branding.
South Carolina	South Carolina High School League	Confirmed Permitted	NIL deals permitted if not tied to individual, school, or team performance.
South Dakota	South Dakota High School Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL permissible with prohibitions on school logos and vice industry endorsements.
Tennessee	Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	TSSAA policy permits student-athlete NIL activities, barring school involvement.
Texas	Texas University Interscholastic League	Pending Legislative Action	UIL currently prohibits NIL, although legislation has been introduced to permit such activities
Utah	Utah High School Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	UHSAA Board of Trustees permit NIL monetization.
Vermont	Vermont Principals Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL monetization is permitted if unaffiliated with teams, schools, or the VPA.
Virginia	Virginia High School League	Confirmed Permitted	NIL monetization is permitted if unaffiliated with teams, schools, or the VHSL.
Washington	Washington Interscholastic Activities Association	Confirmed Permitted	Clear Q&A clarifies NIL activities are allowed if no school or league branding is used.
West Virginia	West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission	Confirmed Prohibited	NIL monetization still considered in violation of amateurism rules.
Wisconsin	Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association	Confirmed Permitted	NIL permitted with clear usage restrictions for schools, logos, and practices.
Wyoming	Wyoming High School Activities Association	Under Membership Consideration	NIL discussions ongoing; further clarity expected by Fall 2025.

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.