Florida is joining some 30 states in allowing high school athletes to make money off their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).
The Florida High school Athletic Association (FHSAA) approved the state’s new NIL policy Tuesday.
“I do really believe that this is going to put us on par with the rest of the country," FHSAA Board of Directors President Monica Colucci said during Tuesday’s meeting in Gainesville.
Top-100 2025 wide receivers Jaime Ffrench and Vernell Brown have inked NIL deals with American Eagle, hours after the FHSAA passed bylaw changes to allow NIL🔥
— On3 NIL (@On3NIL) June 4, 2024
📸 via @southflaexpre@PeteNakos_: https://t.co/kaQSWzz3p3 pic.twitter.com/o8YHQlxQFT
"We are going to have some things that we have to face as a board. And we will do so. Because I really believe we are very capable and we are going to do the right thing for students, always. That is our top priority."
What is NIL?
Since 2021, Florida’s collegiate athletes have been able to to cash in on TV commercials, branded sponsorships, and other endorsements through NIL deals. But, Florida highschoolers had been banned from participating.
But the approval comes with a few caveats.
Kimberly Richey, is a senior chancellor for the Florida Department of Education.
“I think we are OK with supporting the athletic program and directly engaging in NIL activities," said Richey. "We might be allowing them to engage in collectives, which we would not be OK with.”
What’s allowed in Florida’s new NIL policy?
The FHSAA wrote in its bylaws that NIL activities must be negotiated with the athlete's parent or guardian.
The language also prohibits schools and booster clubs from setting up college-style NIL collectives, to elicit funds from donors to win over recruits.
Under Policy 9.9.4.4, "groups, organizations, or cooperative enterprises that exist to collect funds from donors and help facilitate NIL deals for student-athletes, and/or create ways for athletes to monetize from their NIL."
"Student-athletes will be prohibited from monetizing their name, image, and likeness with the use of their school's uniform, equipment, logo, name, proprietary patents, products and/a copyrights associated with an FHSAA member school, NFHS and/or school district, either in public, print, or social media platforms, unless granted authorization by prior written consent from the school, district, or Association, respectively."Florida High School Athletic Association
Additionally, the association bans student-athletes from entering deals with organizations that promote weapons, drugs, and alcohol.
The measure will go into effect this year pending State Board of Education ratification on July 24.