Ohio House considers bill banning NIL compensation for middle and high school student-athletes

Updated Feb. 9 to include OHSAA statement

The Ohio House could soon consider a bill that would ban middle and high school student-athletes from receiving compensation for their name, image, or likeness.

In addition to public and community schools, House Bill 661 would apply to STEM schools and chartered and nonchartered nonpublic schools. It would also apply to any organization that regulates interscholastic athletic conferences or events.

“High school sports are an extension of the classroom. They teach character, discipline, leadership, work ethic and fitness,” state Rep. Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, said in a release. “This bill is about protecting kids, keeping the focus on learning and development, and ensuring students across Ohio compete on a level playing field.”

OHSAA changed its rules last year, which had banned students from receiving NIL compensation, according to a November 2025 press release from the association. OHSAA’s NIL Resource Center states that student-athletes may enter into NIL agreements but may not be paid to play the sport they compete in as amateurs.

“The unwarranted, new OHSAA NIL by-laws changes dangerously undermine the most cherished aspects of grade school and high school education and cocurricular athletics,” state Rep. Mike Odioso, R-Green Twp., said in a release.

Members of the association voted to pass an emergency bylaw allowing NIL for high school athletes in response to a lawsuit by a student-athlete, which resulted in a judge granting a temporary restraining order allowing the student to continue receiving NIL compensation.

“We would like to thank our member schools for taking ownership of this NIL bylaw proposal,” OHSAA Executive Director said in a release. “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 director also said that OHSAA would set rules about NIL deals for student athletes.

“Now the real work begins, because this will be a continually evolving piece of high school athletics,” Ute said. “The OHSAA will track NIL deals and make sure that our recruiting bylaws and transfer bylaws are still enforced, which is something our member schools have asked for throughout this process.”

The bill was introduced on Jan. 29 and was referred to the House Education Committee.

“The OHSAA is aware of the introduction of House Bill 661 and looks forward to continuing to provide information on the process taken to develop the proposal and safeguards that went to our membership for a vote last fall,” OHSAA said in a statement. “It is important to note that NIL at the high school level in Ohio is very different than what we see at the college level, and that Ohio is one of 45 states that allows some version of NIL for high school student-athletes.”