This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Rules change frequently — verify current requirements with your school's compliance office or a licensed attorney before acting. Last verified: August 2026.
At the high school level, this is one of the most consistent patterns on the books: state rules broadly wall coaches, athletic directors, and school staff off from athletes' NIL deals — though the exact wording varies by state.
What the rules typically prohibit
- School employees involved in deals — Maine and West Virginia say it flat-out: no one employed by the school can be involved; Kentucky bars benefits from anyone affiliated with the school.
- Schools as paymasters — Delaware and South Dakota prohibit compensation from the school or anyone acting as its agent, including booster clubs and foundations.
- Coaches steering deals — arranging, negotiating, or brokering an athlete's deal is the involvement the rules target, even if the coach takes nothing.
Why the wall exists
Three reasons: a coach who controls playing time has leverage no athlete can freely negotiate against; school-arranged money is functionally a recruiting tool; and the wall protects coaches too — an adult employee mixing money with minors' athletics is a liability nightmare for everyone.
What adults CAN do
- Parents and guardians can (and generally must) be fully involved — co-signing included.
- Independent professionals — attorneys, accountants, registered agents — can represent the athlete.
- Schools can educate: many now run NIL literacy sessions, which is involvement in knowledge, not deals.
- College is different: college staff operate under institutional and clearinghouse rules that permit more coordination — another reason not to copy what college athletes do.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney in your state, and reviewing this page does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and My NIL Guide, JSL Lead Enterprises, L.L.C., its owners, or any affiliated person.
NIL laws and school/athletic-association policies vary by state and change frequently. This research status was checked August 25, 2026; that check is not legal approval and does not guarantee accuracy, completeness, or applicability to a specific situation. Before entering into any NIL agreement, confirm the current governing athletic-association and school rules and consult qualified counsel where appropriate.
About the research-status date: it records when the release-safety status was checked, not that a deal or athlete was legally cleared. Rules can change at any time. Before acting, double-check the original source, governing athletic association, and school. Page date: August 2026. If you believe any information here is outdated or inaccurate, please contact us.
"My NIL Guide" is a trade name for an educational technology product of JSL Lead Enterprises, L.L.C. It is not the name of a law firm or a professional services organization. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any high school athletic association, college, university, athletic conference, the NCAA, or any professional sports organization. All team names, association names, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are referenced for informational and educational purposes only. See the full My NIL Guide disclaimer, Terms, and Privacy Policy.