Can California high school athletes make NIL money?

Yes. CIF rules allow high school NIL, as long as the deal is kept separate from your school — no uniforms, school logos, or team affiliation in the content.

Can I mention my school in a sponsored post?

No. CIF Rule 212 bars using your school team uniform, insignia, or team affiliation in commercial endorsements.

Do minors need parental consent for NIL deals in California?

Yes — athletes under 18 generally need a parent or legal guardian to co-sign for the contract to be enforceable.

NIL Rules by State › California

California High School NIL Rules

What student-athletes and parents in California need to know about name, image, and likeness — in plain language.

Rules verified as of August 2026What does this date mean?

High school NIL allowed?

Yes

Parent co-sign (under 18)

Generally required

School logos & uniforms

Restricted

The short version

California was the first state to pass an NIL law, and CIF high school athletes may earn NIL money. The main restriction: deals must stay separate from your school — no school team uniform, no school insignia, and no lending your team affiliation to a commercial endorsement.

Key rules in California

CIF athletes may participate in NIL, but may not wear a school uniform or identifying school insignia in any advertisement, promotion, or endorsement.Source: CIF Constitution Art. 20, Rule 212
Athletes may not lend their name AND team affiliation together for commercial endorsement — the deal must stand apart from the school.Source: CIF Rule 212
College athletes in California may earn NIL but cannot use school marks, logos, or facilities in promotional content without permission.Source: CA SB 206 (Fair Pay to Play Act)
Athletes under 18 generally need a parent or guardian co-signature on NIL contracts.Source: State minors-contracts doctrine

Common questions

Can California high school athletes make NIL money?: Yes. CIF rules allow high school NIL, as long as the deal is kept separate from your school — no uniforms, school logos, or team affiliation in the content.
Can I mention my school in a sponsored post?: No. CIF Rule 212 bars using your school team uniform, insignia, or team affiliation in commercial endorsements.
Do minors need parental consent for NIL deals in California?: Yes — athletes under 18 generally need a parent or legal guardian to co-sign for the contract to be enforceable.

Your next step

Before anyone signs anything, walk through the free pre-deal checklist together — it covers payment terms, exclusivity, and California's rules step by step.

Run the Free Pre-Deal Checklist

Reading this to make a decision?

California's NIL rules can change at any time. Everything on this page is current as of August 2026 — the last date we checked it against the official sources. Laws and policies may have been updated or changed since then, so before acting on anything important, confirm the details with the original source listed above or your school's compliance office.

NIL rules in other states

More NIL resources

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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