Ohio High Schools Set to Vote on Urgent NIL Proposal Nov. 17-21

UPDATE: High school principals in Ohio are preparing to vote on a crucial Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) proposal from November 17-21, 2023. This decision comes in the wake of a temporary restraining order issued by Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Jaiza Page, allowing student-athletes from the 818 schools under the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) to enter into their own NIL agreements.

The OHSAA Board of Directors announced the urgent vote just days after Judge Page’s ruling, which has stirred significant interest among athletes and their families. Ohio currently stands as one of only six states, alongside Alabama, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, and Wyoming, that prohibit high school athletes from profiting from their NIL rights.

The backdrop of this decision is a lawsuit filed by Jasmine Brown, the mother of Jamier Brown, a junior at Wayne High School in Huber Heights. Brown is a highly sought-after wide receiver prospect for the class of 2027 and has verbally committed to Ohio State University. According to his family, Jamier could have lost out on more than $100,000 in potential NIL deals due to the current restrictions.

“I want to be able to use my name, image, and likeness to help my family financially and get the extra after-school academic help and football training that can help me maximize my potential,” Jamier Brown stated on X following the lawsuit’s filing. His plea highlights the emotional and financial stakes for many student-athletes who could benefit from NIL opportunities.

The proposed bylaw aims to establish clear guidelines for NIL agreements, ensuring that student-athletes do not jeopardize their eligibility while allowing them to earn from their personal brands. Luke Fedlam, Brown’s attorney, emphasized the differences between high school and college NIL regulations, stating, “It’s important for folks to understand high school NIL is different from college NIL.”

The OHSAA has faced scrutiny since a previous NIL proposal was decisively rejected by its members in 2022, with a vote tally of 538-254. The landscape is shifting rapidly, and the upcoming vote could redefine the future of high school sports in Ohio.

Following the November vote, another hearing regarding a preliminary injunction is scheduled for December 15, which could further impact the NIL landscape for Ohio’s high school athletes. As the vote approaches, the stakes are high, and many are watching to see how this pivotal decision will unfold.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as Ohio’s high schools prepare to take a historic step toward NIL inclusion. The outcome of this vote could change the game for student-athletes across the state.