UPDATE: Ohio has officially become the 45th state to enable high school athletes to enter name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements, following a decisive vote by the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) member schools. The vote outcome of 447-121 was confirmed earlier today, marking a major shift for student-athletes across the state.
The urgency of this decision stems from a recent legal challenge involving Jamier Brown, a standout wide receiver prospect from Wayne High School in Huber Heights. His mother, Jasmine Brown, filed a lawsuit on October 15, 2023, seeking to allow athletes to monetize their NIL rights. A temporary restraining order was issued by Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Jaiza Page on October 20, accelerating the OHSAA’s response to this pressing issue.
This newly approved bylaw goes into effect immediately, three years after a previous NIL proposal was rejected by OHSAA members in a vote of 538-254 in 2022. The latest vote reflects a significant shift in attitudes, despite 247 schools—over 30% of the 818 member schools—abstaining from the voting process.
OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute stated, “Whether our schools or individuals agree with NIL at the high school level or not, the courts have spoken on this issue across the country that the NCAA and high school athletic associations cannot prevent a student-athlete from making money on their NIL.”
The OHSAA’s new regulations include specific reporting procedures and limitations designed to ensure that athletes maintain their eligibility while adhering to recruiting and amateur bylaws. This legal victory is particularly poignant for Jamier Brown, who is reportedly missing out on over 100,000 USD in potential NIL deals due to the previous restrictions.
His attorney, Luke Fedlam of the Amundsen Davis law firm in Columbus, expressed optimism about the ruling’s impact. “This represents not only a significant victory for Jamier Brown and his family, but hardworking high school student-athletes across the entire state of Ohio,” he remarked.
As Ohio moves forward with this landmark decision, it joins the ranks of states embracing NIL frameworks, leaving only Alabama, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, and Wyoming without similar regulations. The next hearing related to this case is set for December 15, as the legal team seeks to dismiss the lawsuit, which has already transformed the landscape for high school athletes in Ohio.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story, as it holds significant implications for high school sports and athlete empowerment across the nation.