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NIL

California

High School Status

Permitted

High School Governing Body

California Interscholastic Federation

Source

CIF Bylaws: 212.C.3-6 (Amateur Status)

NIL State Law

Senate Bill 206 and Senate Bill 26 (Not applicable to high school athletes), SB 1401 proposed

Status

What We Discovered

California state NIL law permits high school student-athletes to participate in NIL opportunities. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), the governing body of high school athletics in California, reflects this law in its own regulations. The main stipulation is that athletes cannot use their school or team affiliation, including wearing a school team uniform, any identifying school logos or insignias, the school team’s name or property or the school team’s name for the purpose of any commercial or promotional activity.

Summary

College

NIL Law: Senate Bill 26

Abstract (See Bill Analysis) | Full Law | Passed: 7/1/2021 | Effective: 7/1/2021

NIL Law: Senate Bill 206

Abstract (See Bill Analysis) | Full Law | Passed: 1/1/2019 | Effective: 1/1/2023

In Sept. 2019, California passed the Fair Pay to Play Act (SB206) to take effect Jan. 1, 2023, becoming the first state in the country to enact a law permitting college athletes to monetize their NIL. After multiple other states passed comparative legislation that would take effect July 1, 2021, California passed SB26 to amend the effective date to match the other states. 

In February 2022, lawmakers also introduced Senate Bill 1401, the College Athlete Race and Gender Equity Act, which would require California schools to share 50% of annual revenues in revenue-making sports with the athletes. A student-athlete would have access to this money through a degree completion fund of up to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) per academic year. We will keep you updated on the progress of this legislation which currently sits in the Senate appropriations committee.

Summary

High School

High school student athletes can participate in NIL opportunities, so long as there is no school or team affiliation, including wearing a school team uniform, any identifying school logos or insignias, the school team’s name or property or the school team’s name for the purpose of any commercial or promotional activity.

Bylaws | CIF Bylaws

Excerpt | 212.C.3-6 (Amateur Status)

A student shall become ineligible for CIF competition in the respective sport and shall be penalized for the following violations related to CIF competition:

  1. Receiving, from any and all sources, athletic awards totaling more than $250.00 in value for:
      • Accomplishments in any regular season CIF high school competition event; NOTE: Typical examples of regular season CIF high school competition event include, but are not limited to, any league or non-league dual contest and invitational tournament held prior to any seasonculminating league, Section, Region and/or State Playoff competition.
      • A recognition award program, such as “Player of the Week”/“Month,” for any regular season CIF high school competition.
  2. Receiving, from any and all sources, athletic awards totaling more than $500.00 in value for any post- regular season CIF high school competition or recognition program; NOTE: For purposes of this Bylaw only, league, Section, Regional and State Playoff competition is considered to be one (1) continuous event. NOTE: The dollar value of an award, exclusive of engraving, shall be determined by the following criteria:
      • The retail price paid by the last purchaser in the acquisition of the award;
      • When the host school or league purchases the award, the retail price paid by the host school or league;
      • When the award is donated by another entity, the retail price paid by or cost to that entity.
  3. Wearing a school team uniform or any identifying school insignia while appearing in any advertisement, promotional activity or endorsement for any commercial product or service;
  4. Lending his/her name and team affiliation for purposes of commercial endorsement. Any appearances by students for nonprofit organizations must be approved by the Board of Trustees concerned. This provision is not intended to restrict the right of any student to participate in a commercial endorsement provided there is no school team or school affiliation;
  5. Accepting payment for loss of time or wages while participating in CIF competition;
  6. Receiving payment for coaching a team in CIF competition.