Two years ago, the National Collegiate Athletics Association passed a bill that has undoubtedly revolutionized college sports today. Now, 30 states across America have passed the same rule, called NIL which stands for Name, Image, and Likeness. For years, high school athletes have been considered “amateur student-athletes,” meaning they were not allowed to make money off their name. On October 2, 2023, the Georgia High School Sports Association made NIL legal in high school sports which gives high school athletes access to monetize from their popularity.
Compared to NIL in college, the rules have more limitations. The schools themselves cannot pay athletes as it would be an incentive to play at certain schools. When athletes are represented, school names, logos, gear, and facilities cannot be included. However, endorsement deals are offered to players from businesses not connected to their school. Georgia is one of thirty states in America that currently allows NIL(in high school) to be legal, with more projected to follow.
North Atlanta’s athletic director, Andre Regan, thinks NIL will make logistics confusing and complicated for high schools. The best athletes will have colleges in their ears, influencing endorsement decisions. Then, an average player with an above-average social media influence can attract deals of their own. “Sports are already complex, and adding this aspect to the mix will certainly include side effects, even if they don’t show for a few years,” Regan said.
A few elite athletes across the country have the social media influence and skills that will attract big companies. Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis is a great example of this. A sophomore at Carrollton High School, he plays quarterback for the Mighty Trojans. Lewis committed to the University of Southern California, ironically also the Trojans this fall, and he is the youngest person ever to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Also, with 131k followers on Instagram, he attracted a firm called “Athletes First Family,” which helps athletes set themselves up for success in the NFL.
The new NIL rules will certainly be lucrative for some high school athletes who dominate their respective high school scenes. But, others that love the game, who are extremely successful as well, might not be included. Senior Josh Griffith, a 3-year varsity basketball player, has been an impressively consistent force for North Atlanta. Yet, he feels the new rules may change the humble dynamics of high school sports. Griffith said, “If one guy gets some money, he might get cocky and think he’s better just because he got a deal. I don’t think it will be fair in some cases.“
Two years after the NCAA legalized NIL in college, 30 states have legalized it in high school, including Georgia. For some, it will be profitable, while others will be left out. The ripple effects of making NIL legal in high school sports will be evident for years to come.
