UPDATE: High school principals in Ohio are set to vote on a crucial Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulation proposal from November 17-21, 2023. This comes after a temporary restraining order from Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Jaiza Page that allows athletes from all 818 OHSAA schools to pursue their own NIL deals.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Board of Directors announced this emergency bylaw referendum on Thursday, aiming to revise regulations that were decisively rejected in 2022 by a vote of 538-254. The urgency has intensified as Ohio remains one of just six states prohibiting high school athletes from receiving payments for their name, image, and likeness, alongside Alabama, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, and Wyoming.
This pivotal vote follows a lawsuit filed by Jasmine Brown, the mother of top wide receiver prospect Jamier Brown, who claims her son has already lost out on over $100,000 in potential NIL earnings. Jamier, a junior at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, has verbally committed to Ohio State University and expressed the need for NIL opportunities to support his family and improve his training resources.
“I want to be able to use my name, image, and likeness to help my family financially,” Jamier stated on social media, emphasizing the impact NIL could have on his academic and athletic pursuits.
The OHSAA’s proposed new bylaw would not only allow student-athletes to enter into NIL agreements but also establish necessary reporting procedures and limitations to protect students’ eligibility. “It’s critical to understand that high school NIL is distinct from college NIL,” said Luke Fedlam, Brown’s attorney. “There are essential guardrails to safeguard the integrity of sports.”
As the vote approaches, stakeholders are urged to pay close attention to developments, especially with another hearing on a preliminary injunction scheduled for December 15, 2023. This decision could reshape the landscape of high school athletics in Ohio, giving student-athletes newfound opportunities and setting a precedent for how NIL regulations are approached nationwide.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The outcome of this vote could significantly alter the future of high school athletics in Ohio and beyond.