Can Ohio high school athletes make NIL money?

Yes — beginning November 2025, under the OHSAA's newly approved Personal Branding Rights bylaw. Much online information predates this change, so double-check anything you read against current OHSAA guidance.

When did Ohio allow high school NIL?

OHSAA member schools approved the change in 2025, effective beginning November 2025. Before that, NIL was prohibited for Ohio high school athletes.

What should Ohio athletes do before signing an NIL deal?

Because the rule is new, confirm current requirements with your school's athletic director and review OHSAA's NIL Resource Center before signing.

NIL Rules by State › Ohio

Ohio High School NIL Rules

What student-athletes and parents in Ohio 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 — new as of Nov 2025

Parent co-sign (under 18)

Generally required

School logos & uniforms

Restricted

The short version

Ohio flipped recently: for years the OHSAA prohibited NIL, but member schools approved the Personal Branding Rights bylaw allowing Ohio high school athletes to enter NIL agreements beginning in November 2025. Because this rule is new, details and interpretations are still settling — verify specifics with your athletic director before signing anything.

Key rules in Ohio

Beginning November 2025, OHSAA athletes may enter NIL (personal branding) agreements under the newly approved bylaw.Source: OHSAA NIL — Personal Branding Rights Bylaw (approved 2025)
Deals must remain separate from the school: school marks, uniforms, and facilities are restricted, and NIL cannot be tied to athletic performance or used to induce enrollment.Source: OHSAA NIL Resource Center
Before the change, athletes forfeited amateur status by capitalizing on athletic fame for money — the old rule no longer controls, but pre-Nov 2025 information online is outdated.Source: former OHSAA Bylaws 4-10, 5
Athletes under 18 generally need a parent or guardian co-signature on NIL contracts.Source: State minors-contracts doctrine

Common questions

Can Ohio high school athletes make NIL money?: Yes — beginning November 2025, under the OHSAA's newly approved Personal Branding Rights bylaw. Much online information predates this change, so double-check anything you read against current OHSAA guidance.
When did Ohio allow high school NIL?: OHSAA member schools approved the change in 2025, effective beginning November 2025. Before that, NIL was prohibited for Ohio high school athletes.
What should Ohio athletes do before signing an NIL deal?: Because the rule is new, confirm current requirements with your school's athletic director and review OHSAA's NIL Resource Center before signing.

Your next step

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

Run the Free Pre-Deal Checklist

Reading this to make a decision?

Ohio'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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