High School and NIL · KICKERSCAMP: Kicking Skool

High School and NIL

Wayne, OH five-star wide receiver Jamier Brown, one of the nation's top prospects in the 2027 cycle, is one of the many athletes in Ohio currently unable to profit off his name, image and likeness. Ohio, like a number of other states, prohibits this. His mother filed a lawsuit to change the rule... saying that her son has greater than $100,000 worth of earning power right now.

"Like what's allowed in other states, I want to be able to use my name, image, and likeness to help my family financially and get the extra after school academic help and football training that can help me maximize my potential," Brown said in a statement. "NIL can make that possible for me and many other student athletes in Ohio.

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Very few athletes (and high schoolers in particular) are in the rare air that is the domain of NIL. However, if you were a great singer by the age of 16, wouldn't you be able to profit from your talent? (i.e. Taylor Swift comes to mind). That said, the playing field in the new era we're in continues to change rapidly.

In my own state (Wisconsin), the governing body (the WIAA) prohibited NIL in high school in April of 2025, but in May reversed that decision — so now it's legal — with some restrictions:

They cannot wear school uniforms or display school, conference, or WIAA logos in those NIL activities.
They cannot endorse or promote certain prohibited things, including — but not limited to — alcohol, tobacco, marijuana/cannabis, weapons, or adult entertainment.
Compensation cannot be tied to school athletic performance or achievement (i.e. not “pay for play”).
The deals must occur outside of or not interfere with school obligations (academics, team obligations etc.).
Students cannot use agents or have school employees facilitate deals.

And if you break the new rules, you can lose an entire year of eligibility.

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So what's a guy to do?

Know your rules.
Ask ChatGPT, "What are the current eligibility rules regarding NIL for high schoolers in [your state]?"
Continue to develop your strength, size, speed, proficiency, skills
Develop your social media brand
Look for opportunities to partner with local, regional, national brands*

"Hey, Coach, I'm a high school kicker, who's going to want me?"

Great question. But go further...

What kind of NIL deal could I get?

Probably not a NIKE TV spot, but do you like free swag or food?

Local retailer — wear their clothes in exchange for telling your friends and SM audience how great they are. 😃

Local restaurant — get free subs & sandwiches anytime you bring in a paying guest. 🥪

Local car dealer — get a new loaner car each week by promoting them in your massive Instagram account! 🚗

WHY MIGHT IT WORK?

Because these business want to sell stuff to you, your friends, your parents, grand parents and everyone else, right? They really only have one pre-requisite for you... Do they think that you're the kind of brand ambassador who might bring some attention to them if they had you helping promote them?

That's the trick... and that's all it is.

Now you're age, your charm, you looks, your association with the football program all might matter to the business owner.

Here's the question these business have for you... "If I grant you this deal, are you going to bring me a bunch more profit than it takes to work with you?"

If you're entrepreneurial — Give it a shot. The worst that happens is they say, "no".

JUST MAKE SURE YOU'RE FOLLOWING THE RULES OF YOUR STATE! 😳

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Just ask Jamier, "We'll see what happens next, but I want to thank those that are standing with me during this process. For any questions, please contact my attorney. Now it's back to school and football where the real work continues."

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