COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association Board of Directors on Thursday set the dates that member high schools will vote on an emergency bylaw referendum on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL). Schools will cast their votes from November 17-21, with the high school principal submitting the vote on behalf of the school.
In addition, the full text of the bylaw proposal is included below. The board approved the language at its September meeting in preparation for a vote of member schools during the regular referendum voting process in early May, or sooner due to legal action, as permitted by OHSAA bylaw 8-1-1.
The emergency referendum is being conducted due to a lawsuit filed by a student-athlete on October 15 against the Ohio High School Athletic Association regarding NIL. Ohio is one of only six states that does not currently permit high school student-athletes to engage in NIL. A Franklin County judge opened the case on Monday by issuing a 45-day Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the OHSAA.
Further details and dates for informational webinars will be sent to member schools in the coming days. If the membership votes in favor of a proposal, it would allow OHSAA member schools to shape the NIL bylaw. If schools do not vote in favor of the referendum, the lawsuit and the future of NIL in Ohio will be determined by the court.
During the OHSAA Regional Update Meetings around Ohio in August and September, administrators in attendance were informed that a proposal on NIL was likely coming. Feedback from a committee of school administrators that met on this issue at the OHSAA also provided beneficial feedback. To help schools make an informed decision in the upcoming emergency vote, the OHSAA will send information and conduct webinars, hosted in partnership with Influential Athlete, to clarify the proposal and outline the next steps should the vote pass.
In summary, the proposed new bylaw would allow student-athletes to enter into an agreement and be compensated for their name, image and likeness through appearances, licensing, social media, endorsements and/or the use of branding based on their public recognition or notoriety. The proposal would also establish reporting procedures and limitations so that students do not jeopardize their eligibility as it relates to the OHSAA’s recruiting and amateur bylaws.
Full Text of Emergency Bylaw Proposal
Section 11. Personal Branding Rights/Name, Image and Likeness
Pursuant to Bylaw 4-10-1, a student may not participate in an interscholastic sport unless the student is an amateur. Pay-for-play (receiving payments simply for being a student-athlete), entering an agreement/contract with a professional sports team and improper recruiting inducements remain prohibited.
4-11-1 For purposes of this bylaw, Name, Image and Likeness (NIL)/Personal Branding Rights shall mean the use of self-publicity due to public recognition (athletic fame) and/or the notoriety a student may attain to receive a benefit through appearances, licensing, social media, endorsements and/or the use of branding.
Note 1: This bylaw has no connection to Bylaw 5, which permits a student to accept awards, gifts and prizes resulting from their participation/finish in athletic competitions. The requirements outlined within Bylaw 4-11 are solely related to a student-athlete’s promotional and marketing efforts based on their public recognition (athletic fame) or notoriety.
Note 2: A collective is a third-party group, typically formed by alumni and supporters, that pools donations and fundraising to create and manage NIL/Personal Branding Rights opportunities for student-athletes. The collectives provide student-athletes with sponsorships, endorsement deals and other ways to monetize their NIL/Personal Branding Rights, bridging the gap between athletes and the brands or businesses looking to leverage their popularity and control their earnings from their public persona. Collectives are strictly prohibited.
4-11-2 A student may enter into an agreement/arrangement whereby the student capitalizes on their Name, Image and Likeness/Personal Branding Rights provided the following criteria are met:
4-11-3 A student engaged in an NIL/Personal Branding Rights agreement shall disclose each agreement to the OHSAA within 14 days after entering into said agreement. Students who fail to disclose their agreement(s) or fail to disclose their agreement(s) in a timely fashion shall be subject to a period of ineligibility up to 20 percent of the sport season in which they participate and/or any other penalties as outlined in Bylaw 11.
Note: Details on how to disclose said agreement(s) shall be posted on the OHSAA website.
4-11-4 A student engaged in an NIL/Personal Branding Rights agreement shall also comply with any other applicable OHSAA bylaws and regulations and any applicable policies of his or her school.
4-11-5 If a student transfers to a school and the transfer can be shown to be reasonably linked to a student’s NIL/Personal Branding Rights agreement, a rebuttable presumption shall exist that the student has been recruited, which is in violation of Bylaw 4-9. The Executive Director’s Office may suspend the privilege of participation in interscholastic athletics during the pendency of any alleged violation of this bylaw.
4-11-6 Member school administrators and coaches shall have an obligation to educate the school community that any attempt to facilitate an NIL/Personal Branding Rights agreement to help secure the enrollment of a prospective student shall result in penalties as prescribed in Bylaw 11, including a review of the school’s membership status.
4-11-7 Student-athletes with NIL/Personal Branding Rights deals, along their parents or guardians, are encouraged to seek professional advice, understand contracts thoroughly and prioritize academic and athletic commitments to protect the student-athlete’s eligibility and long-term success. These activities should be regarded as a business, and participants should stay compliant with school and state regulations and focus on building a strong support system to avoid mismanagement of funds and protect future opportunities.
4-11-8 Any violation of Bylaw 4-11 shall be subject to penalties outlined in Bylaw 11.
Note: The Executive Director’s Office may suspend the privilege of participation in interscholastic athletics during the pendency of any alleged violation of this bylaw.
