It’s done at the professional and college levels, and now it will happen for local Florida high school athletes.
When schools start this year, high school student-athletes will now be able to profit from their name, image, and likeness. In short, it’s called NIL.
The Florida Board of Education approved the new Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) rules that student-athletes can now receive payment from companies that want to do business primarily in advertising and endorsements from the athletes.
But there are limits to the agreement. Students can’t cash in on using the school’s name unless the school gives them permission, and the schools and their coaches are prohibited from using the NIL when it comes to recruiting. Also, students are not allowed to contract with groups that deal in gambling, adult entertainment, firearms, tobacco, marijuana or NIL collectives.
“This could be a great opportunity for some student-athletes,” said Board of Education Chairman Ben Gibson.
But there is some concern about this new program.
Florida Sport Podcaster and sports radio analyst Jason Redman lays out several scenarios he would like to see addressed.
For example, athletes leave school before, during, and after seasons to join others all throughout the year. Also, will the schools/students leave the FHSAA altogether for smaller conferences with better policies to promote better competition.
Redman also asks if athletes will only go to a school that has a better promotion or a better deal from a local advertiser, and the company will get the better end of the deal if they decide not to include promoting the schools or the teams in which they play in any form.
“A provision also forbids schools from using NIL as an enticement for students to attend their program and prohibits students from securing an NIL deal after an in-season transfer without a good cause exemption from the relevant school district. This is the only thing keeping the state’s athletics from completely becoming lopsided to big booster-funded schools,” said Redman.
Redman says if we have learned anything in the past from the FHSAA, “this program will be a disaster for the Sunshine State with absolutely no pros and all cons on the overall decision.”
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