Hey future all-stars, parents, and coaching staff,
Welcome to a game-changing moment. While college NIL has been grabbing headlines for four years, high school NIL is experiencing its own revolutionary expansionβand most families are missing the critical window to prepare properly.
This week brought major developments that every high school athlete, parent, and coach needs to understand: Ohio's emergency vote that could unlock opportunities for thousands of students, new NCAA reporting requirements that apply to juniors and seniors starting now, and real-world deal valuations showing how prepared athletes are already building their brands.
Think of this issue as your strategic briefing on the high school NIL landscape. The rules are expanding faster than most people realize, and the athletes who position themselves correctly today will have massive advantages when they reach college.
Ohio's Emergency Vote: What Just Happened?
This week's biggest story centers on Ohio, where high school principals voted November 17-21 on an emergency referendum to allow high school NIL. Results were announced November 24.
The Catalyst: Jamier Brown's Lawsuit
The referendum wasn't a routine policy discussion, it was triggered by a lawsuit from the family of Ohio State commit Jamier Brown, a junior wide receiver from Huber Heights Wayne (originally reported: The Helm #22). Brown's family argued their son was losing legitimate earning opportunities while peers in other states were building brands and securing deals.
The lawsuit highlighted a fundamental inequity: talented athletes being punished not because of their performance or marketability, but simply because of which state's borders they happened to live within.
π§ Navigator Insight: This legal pressure tactic, forcing policy changes through strategic litigation, will become more common as families realize they can challenge restrictive state athletic association policies. Expect similar lawsuits in holdout states where athletes feel disadvantaged.
The Proposed Rules (If Passed)
If the referendum passed (making Ohio approximately the 21st state to permit high school NIL), the framework would include:
Permitted Activities: Endorsements, social media posts, local business appearances
Critical Restrictions: No NIL during school hours, practices, games, or "distracting" times
No School Branding: Sponsors cannot display products/logos at team events
Anti-Inducement Rules: No pay-for-play or recruiting inducements
Action Item for Ohio Athletes: If the vote passed, start with low-stakes local deals ($100-500 range) to build experience without eligibility risks. Local restaurants, training facilities, and car dealerships are ideal first partners.
Action Item for Ohio Coaches: OHSAA partnered with Influential Athlete for free webinars on implementation. Host one for your team to discuss branding opportunities without school involvement. Monitor ohsaa.org for official results and guidance.
β οΈ Warning: Experts warn about "pay-to-play creep" in recruiting. If Ohio passes NIL rules, expect competitive pressure on younger athletes and increased transfer activity as students "shop" for better collective environments.
NCAA's New Reporting Mandate: What You Must Know
Weβve gone over it before, but this cannot be emphasized enough to high school families because there is no unifying organization to broadcast it to (every state is different and there is no NCAA-like organization): all juniors and seniors must report third-party NIL deals over $600 starting July 1, 2025 (or first day of junior year, whichever is later).
This isn't optional. It's part of the College Sports Commission's bylaws finalized after the House settlement.
How the System Works
Upon college enrollment, athletes must submit deals through the NIL Go clearinghouse within two weeks. The system ensures deals have a "valid business purpose" rather than disguised pay-for-play arrangements.
π§ Coach's Corner: Think of this like the NCAA Eligibility Center, but for NIL. Just as you tracked academic eligibility throughout high school, you now need to track and document NIL activities. The families who stay organized will avoid painful surprises during college enrollment.
Why This Matters for High School Students
Overvaluation Risk: Deals valued significantly above market rates could trigger audits, risking college eligibility
Documentation Requirements: You'll need proof of services rendered, content created, or appearances completed
Timeline Pressure: Two-week submission windows don't leave room for scrambling to reconstruct deal terms from memory
International Complications: International high school athletes face additional visa hurdles, consult NCAA resources early
Action Item for Parents & Athletes: Track everything using apps like Opendorse for valuation estimates. Example: A $1,000 social media post for a local gym? Document it with screenshots, contract terms, and proof of posting. Report it proactively to avoid surprises during recruiting.
π§ Navigator Truth: This bridges high school to college seamlessly, but adds paperwork most families aren't prepared for. View it as protection against bad deals and eligibility violations, not as bureaucratic hassle. The athletes who treat this seriously from day one will have smoother college transitions.
Real-World High School NIL Examples & Valuations
These are examples of previous high school deals:
Athlete | Sport/State/Class | Deal Details | Initial Deal Value & Lesson |
Deuce Knight | Quarterback/Mississippi/2025 (was a Notre Dame commit at the time of deal ended up signing with Auburn) | First Mississippi HS NIL: Endorsement with local apparel brand | ~$2,500 Focus on community ties built via social media highlights |
Jackson Cantwell | OT/MO/2026Β (Committed to Univ. Miami) | Top-ranked per On3 (updated 11/20/2025); Deals with training camps | $1.9M valuation Even non-QBs cash inβleverage recruiting buzz |
Boo Carter | DB/TN/2023 (HS-to-College Bridge, now Tennessee) | One of the first NIL deals in TN, used earnings to fund Chattanooga HS team uniforms | $500+ Give-back models build long-term brand loyalty |
Mia Brahe-Pedersen | Track & Field/OR/2023 (now at USC) | Nike's first HS track NIL: Social media endorsements + product features for sprint events (e.g., 200m highlights). | ~$50,000+ (multi-year); Niche skills shineβtrack's visual appeal (fast clips) attracts global brands early. |
Ethan Holliday
| Baseball/OK/2026 (Originally a Oklahoma commit, but entered the MLB draft, drafted by the Colorado Rockies) | Adidas' first HS baseball NIL: Gear endorsements + batting clinic videos for youth camps. | Undisclosed (est. $10Kβ20K); Off-season content (e.g., drills) sustains deals. |
π§ Trend Insight: Non-revenue sports (wrestling, golf, volleyball) are reportedly accounting for ~30% of recent high school deals. REMEMBER: Opportunities are NOTΒ limited to football and basketball stars.
Building Your Brand Before the First Deal
Notice what these successful athletes have in common? They built social media presence before signing deals. Consistent, authentic contentβtraining clips, game preparation, personal journey: attracts sponsors organically.
Action Item for Students: Post consistent, authentic content showcasing your training process, game preparation, and personal journey. Sponsors want to see genuine engagement and audience connection, not just highlight reels.
Action Item for Coaches: In states like Texas (17+ only) or Kansas (limited since 2021), remind athletes: No school logos in deals to avoid conflicts with school branding policies.
Critical Warnings from This Week
Recruiting Ripple Effects
Social media discussions highlight high school transfers spiking due to NIL "shopping": students moving states to access better collective environments. Our advice: Commit for fit, not flash. Portal chaos is hitting high school too, and geographic instability can hurt long-term development for both programs and athletes.
Gambling Overlap Concerns
High school coaches warn that NIL combined with betting app accessibility fosters "get-rich-quick" mindsets. Our advice: Stress balanced priorities. NIL should supplement your athletic development and academic success, not replace them. If you are serious about your future as an athlete: sports betting needs to be avoided.
State Tracker Update
As of November 20: Nearly 40 states allow some form of high school NIL (including recent additions Mississippi and Tennessee). Seven states still prohibit or severely restrict it (including Texas with partial restrictions). Full tracker available at: http://nilnavigator.com
Phase 1: Foundation (Freshman-Sophomore Year)
Build authentic social media presence focused on training, academics, and personal journey
Research your state's current NIL regulations and athletic association policies
Begin tracking all potential NIL activities and partnerships (even if you can't monetize yet)
Develop relationships with local businesses and community organizations
Phase 2: Activation (Junior Year)
Pursue first small deals ($100-500) with local businesses to build experience
Document everything: contracts, deliverables, payments, content created
Report all deals over $600 through appropriate channels (preparing for NCAA reporting)
Complete Creighton NIL Certificate or similar educational programs
Consult with compliance experts before signing any significant agreements
Phase 3: Optimization (Senior Year)
Ensure all deals are properly documented and reported for college eligibility
Use NIL success as talking point in college recruitment (demonstrates business maturity)
Understand how your high school deals will transition or terminate when you sign with college
Build portfolio of content, partnerships, and business skills to leverage in college
π§ Coach's Corner: The athletes who succeed in high school NIL aren't necessarily the most talented: they're the most prepared. They understand that NIL is an introduction to entrepreneurship, brand management, and professional skills that will serve them regardless of whether they play professionally.
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The Final Whistle: Your Competitive Advantage Starts Now
High school NIL represents a massive opportunity that most families are either ignoring or approaching reactively. The students who will dominate this space aren't waiting for permission or perfect circumstances: they're building now.
Three Critical Takeaways
State Expansion is Accelerating: Ohio's vote demonstrates the momentum behind high school NIL. Even holdout states face pressure from lawsuits and competitive disadvantage. Position yourself for opportunity regardless of current state policy.
Documentation is Non-Negotiable: NCAA reporting requirements starting July 2025 mean you need systems NOW. The athletes who scramble to reconstruct deal details during college enrollment will face delays, audits, and potential eligibility issues.
Start Small, Build Strategic: First deals should prioritize learning over earning. A $200 partnership with a local restaurant teaches more valuable lessons than a hypothetical $10K deal you're not ready to execute professionally.
"NIL is your introduction to entrepreneurship. Start small, stay compliant, and prioritize your developmentβathletic, academic, and professional. The students who master this balance will have massive advantages when they reach college."
For High School Students: You're building a brand whether you realize it or not. Every social media post, every interaction with fans, every community appearance is creating your professional reputation. Treat it accordingly.
For Parents: You're the guardrails. Your role is to empower without pressure, educate without overwhelming, and protect without suffocating. Use resources like the Creighton certificate to stay informed alongside your student.
For Coaches: You're uniquely positioned to provide ethical guidance and realistic perspective. Host team discussions about branding, bring in compliance experts, and help students understand that NIL success requires the same discipline as athletic success.
π§ The Navigator Promise: We're committed to helping you map the moment and own the future. High school NIL is complex, rapidly changing, and full of pitfalls for unprepared families. But for those who approach it strategically, it's an unprecedented opportunity to build professional skills, establish brand value, and create competitive advantages that last far beyond your playing days.
Got a specific state question or deal scenario? We're here to help you navigate:
π¬ Pay it forward: Share this newsletter with an athlete, coach, or parent who wants to level up their NIL game
The Helm Newsletter is published weekly for athletes, parents, and coaches navigating the modern student-athlete sports landscape. Have a topic suggestion or question? Reach out to us at [email protected]
Disclaimer: NIL Navigator provides general information and education, not legal advice. For legal matters, please consult a qualified attorney.
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