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. While we work to keep this information current, we do not guarantee its accuracy, completeness, or applicability to your specific situation. Before entering into any NIL agreement or relying on information about your state's rules, consult your school's compliance office and/or a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.
About the "verified as of" date: it shows the last time we checked this page against the official published rules (the state athletic association's policy, state law, or the agency named in the sources above). Rules can change at any time after that date, so before acting on anything important, double-check directly with the original source, your school's compliance office, or a licensed attorney. This page was last verified on August 2026. If you believe any information here is outdated or inaccurate, please contact us.
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