Charleston, WV — High school and middle school athletes in West Virginia can now earn money from name, image and likeness (NIL) deals under a new policy approved by the state school board in July and officially implemented on Friday.
From College to High School: NIL Expands
Since the NCAA allowed college athletes to profit from NIL in 2021, more than 40 states have introduced rules for younger athletes. Now, West Virginia joins them in providing guidelines for how student athletes can engage in NIL opportunities.
In North Carolina, the first year of high school NIL saw one quarterback sign a $1.2 million deal, Sports Illustrated reported.
Wayne Ryan, executive director of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSAAC), said the policy is designed to protect student eligibility while offering flexibility.
“It’s basically going to have to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis,” Ryan said, noting they drew inspiration from other states’ policies. “We’re just trying to serve the student athlete appropriately and keep our competitive rules and policy in place.”
Key Guidelines of the New NIL Policy
The WVSAAC’s rules outline how athletes can earn from their NIL while keeping activities separate from school affiliations:
- No involvement from school employees or coaches in NIL deals.
- No use of school names, logos, or uniforms in promotions or advertisements.
- No NIL activity promoting restricted products, including alcohol, cannabis, weapons, and prescription drugs.
Ryan explained, “They have to keep it independent of their school and athletic life. Honestly, they have received notoriety for that, but they can’t use that as part of their advertisement.”
Why Supporters Say It Matters
Attorney Paul Saluja of Charleston, who advocated for the policy, said it’s not about multimillion-dollar endorsements, but about opportunity.
“Some of these student athletes, they will do well in high school, they’ll do well at the collegiate level, but they’re not going to make it at the pro level,” Saluja said. “This at least allows them the opportunity to… get a good head start on securing their future.”
Saluja said the policy could help keep talent in West Virginia rather than seeing students transfer to states with existing NIL rules.
Interest Beyond State Lines
Ryan noted he has already received inquiries from parents in other states whose children have NIL deals and are considering relocating to West Virginia. He added that the policy will remain “ever fluid” and subject to updates as NIL standards evolve nationwide.
For families considering NIL opportunities, Ryan advised contacting the WVSAAC’s director of compliance before signing any agreement to avoid jeopardizing eligibility.
What’s your opinion on NIL opportunities for high school athletes? Share your thoughts in the comments.
