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HIGH SCHOOL NIL: THE DEAL THAT CAN COST THE ELIGIBILITY IT’S BUILT ON.
NIL money is real in college. In high school it is mostly small, heavily restricted, different in every state — and surrounded by people selling “NIL readiness” to families whose athletes will never see a deal. Five things to know before anyone signs anything.
Most state athletic associations now permit high school NIL in some form, but several still strip athletic eligibility for it, and the rules change yearly. Before signing anything, get your state association’s current NIL policy in writing — not a summary from the person offering the deal.
Where HS NIL is allowed, it almost universally cannot use the school’s name, uniform, logo, or facilities, and cannot be a pay-for-play inducement. A deal that features your athlete in their school jersey is the classic eligibility-killer.
Legitimate HS NIL deals for non-celebrity athletes are small — local businesses, social posts, camps. Anyone charging an upfront fee to “maximize your athlete’s NIL value,” or taking a percentage of deals that do not exist yet, is selling the dream back to you.
It is self-employment income: it gets reported, it can require quarterly payments, and it counts in the FAFSA math that sets need-based aid. A $2,000 deal that costs $3,000 in lost aid is not a win. Run it past a tax preparer before, not after.
A recruiter’s “you’ll make six figures here” is a projection, not an offer. Real money at the college level arrives through written revenue-share and NIL agreements after enrollment — ask what is in writing, for whom, and what happened to last year’s freshmen.
If a deal requires paying someone to get it, signing away a percentage of future earnings, or wearing the school’s jersey — walk. Everything legitimate survives a week of checking with your state association and a tax preparer.
Education, not legal advice. State rules change every year — verify with your state athletic association and a licensed professional before signing.