On Wednesday, December 7th, the PIAA recently approved a rule that allows high school athletes in the state monetize their name, image, and likeness, just like college athletes can nowadays. The new PIAA rule goes into effect immediately. The PIAA passed the rule on a third and final reading by a vote of 26-4.
The matter of student-athletes at the high school level being able to be financially compensated for the use of their name, image, or likeness, is a new experience for the entire Commonwealth. For now, see below for guidance and the PIAA expectations surrounding Name, Image and Likeness for high school students.
According to Article II (Amateur Status and Awards) of the PIAA Bylaws and Constitution, students may receive consideration for the use of their own name, image, and likeness (NIL). Such permissible activities include commercial endorsements, promotional activities, social media presence, product or service advertisements, and unique digital items/assets. NIL contracts/agreements need to come from analysis of the value an athlete brings for providing a specific service/activity, not as an incentive for enrollment decisions or membership on a team. No school or anyone employed by or affiliated with a member school, including booster clubs, coaches, collectives, administrators, and alumni, may solicit, arrange, negotiate or pay for a student's, other than their own child, use of their NIL and/or the provision of Consideration to a student for the use of their NIL. In engaging in NIL activities, students may not make any reference to PIAA or a PIAA member school (including the school and/or team name, nicknames, terms by which a school or team is commonly referred or identified, logo) and may not wear school uniforms or school-identifying apparel or items). Students may not endorse or promote any third-party entities, goods or services during team/school activities. Students may not wear the apparel or display the logo, insignia, or identifying mark of an NIL partner during any team/school athletic activities unless it is part of the standard school uniform for that sport. Students may not engage in any NIL activities involving, displaying, or endorsing the following categories of products and services: (1) Adult entertainment products and services; (2) Alcohol products; (3) Casinos and gambling, including sports betting, the lottery, and betting in connection with video games, on-line games, and mobile devices; (4) Tobacco and electronic smoking products and devices; (5) Opioids and prescription pharmaceuticals; (6) Controlled dangerous substances; (7) Weapons, firearms, and ammunition.
Students must notify, in writing, the Principal or Athletic Director of the student's school upon entering into any type of NIL contracts/agreements within 72 hours after entering into the agreement. Please understand that such notice does not constitute an approval of the NIL contracts or agreements. The district does not have the ability to approve any NIL contracts/agreements as such contracts/agreements are strictly with the individual student and not with the district; however, notification is still required under the policy.
One proactive step IASD is taking is to educate parents and students. The more families know about the expectations set forth by the PIAA, the less likely they are to commit a violation or mistake. We are asking families to review the PIAA regulations when opportunities arise and reach out to their legal counsel to ensure that they do not jeopardize the player's high school or college eligibility.
The Administration is reviewing our student athletic handbook while awaiting additional guidance from the Pennsylvania School Boards Association and/or the PIAA. For now, please refer to IASD Board policy #123 - Interscholastic Athletics and contact the Athletic Director if you have any questions.
Click here to view a database of state laws and high school sports associations that govern NIL rules allowing high school students to monetize their name, image and likeness while maintaining eligibility.
