Ohio lawmakers weigh bill to ban NIL earnings for high school athletes

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Name, image and likeness has reshaped college sports, and now Ohio lawmakers are weighing whether high school athletes should be allowed to profit, too.

A bill introduced at the Ohio Statehouse would ban high school students from making money from NIL. The proposal comes after nearly 80% of schools in the Ohio High School Athletic Association approved NIL, following a lawsuit in which an Ohio judge said it was OK for young athletes to profit from NIL.

Supporters of the bill say the measure is meant to protect children and families. But the attorney who won the lawsuit argues high school NIL is not comparable to what college athletes receive.

One state representative opposing the ban, who previously coached football at Cincinnati’s St. Xavier, raised concerns about whether teenagers are prepared for the business side of NIL deals.

“I taught freshmen,” Rep. Mike Odioso, R-30, said. “I know they’re not emotionally ready to handle all this, and how many are going to be able to handle the concepts of a contract.”

Others pushing back on the proposed ban say most high school NIL arrangements are small and local.

“The normal athlete at the high school level who earns name, image and likeness is maybe getting a few hundred dollars from a local company,” attorney Luke Fedlam said. “And in fact, they might not even be getting any money. They might just simply get pizza, meal, food, clothes, apparel that align with the service that they provide. This is an opportunity for student athletes to engage with companies, local businesses, in their community.”

Ohio would be among the few states to formally ban NIL for high school athletes. Forty-four other states allow NIL for high school athletes.