Illinois High School Association approves first NIL deal for high school student-athlete

Photo credit: Shoot-A-Way

As high school athletic associations across the country grapple with the decision to permit, prohibit or consider NIL, one thing has remained clear. One size does not fit all.

Take an agreement between the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and standout junior point guard, Xamiya Walton, as a prime example of what’s possible with NIL even when the rules seem set in stone.

At 16 years old, Walton already has offers from 21 college basketball coaches. She is a 1,000-point scorer over two seasons and currently plays for the Butler College Prep Lady Lynx and Illinois X-Citement.

Undoubtedly, Xamiya’s potential to monetize her NIL is high, but she is a student-athlete in one of the 14 states where NIL for high school students is still under consideration and not expressly permitted. So, when a major brand approached the basketball star earlier this summer with an opportunity to promote their product as a brand sponsor, the likelihood of Walton’s ability to accept the deal was low.

It started four years ago when Xamiya’s dad surprised her with a Shoot-A-Way machine for her birthday, a training device that allows players to run through an entire practice independently. It’s been critical to her training, and Xamiya has faithfully tagged the company in videos of her using the equipment since the day she got it.

Eventually, the brand took notice and approached her with a formal sponsorship offer. Xamiya sought approval from the IHSA to accept the NIL deal while ensuring that her eligibility wouldn’t be impacted.

Much to her surprise, the state athletic association agreed to the deal, effectively making Xamiya Walton the first high school athlete in Illinois to sign an NIL agreement.

“Maintaining the amateur aspect of high school athletics, but yet recognizing that students, much like they would go get a summer job and try to make money, that we as an association and member schools maybe shouldn’t be hindering students’ opportunities to make money,” said Craig Anderson, IHSA executive director.

Photo credit: Tim Shelley / Peoria Public Radio

It took nearly three months to agree on a course of action, but Xamiya is now free to endorse Shoot-A-Way and get compensated, though she cannot have any mention or branding of her high school team or the IHSA in the ads.

Anderson said Walton is the first athlete ever to come to the organization seeking approval for a NIL deal.

“We navigated this one cautiously and it took several months [working] with our legal counsel and the family,” Anderson said.

It’s a prime example of the fluidity of NIL in high school athletics. Now, the IHSA is considering a change to its by-laws that would further define its stance on NIL deals, potentially allowing other athletes to benefit from similar opportunities to those accepted by Walton.

Craig Anderson commented on the IHSA’s consideration status as pending until its fall board meeting in November with an expected vote on a change to NIL allowances to take place sometime in December.

To date, 17 states, including the District of Columbia, have permitted NIL for high school student-athletes, while 14 others have it under consideration. The remaining 20 have prohibited NIL – though individual requests for exceptions or accommodations could still be made and approved.

Prior to Walton’s exception, the likelihood might have seemed like a far-off notion. Her story sets the precedent for future exceptions or considerations, whether state high school athletic associations expressly permit, prohibit, or consider NIL deals.

A lot has changed in the year since NIL disrupted the sports world, and more is still to come. Staying up-to-date and in the know is more critical than ever. As the leading educational resource for NIL, Eccker Sports has the team, resources, and knowledge to support the high school community in guiding student-athletes on their NIL journey.

Register for year-long access to the NIL Playbook and unlock the latest news, state-specific updates, and expert guidance on all things NIL. Get started at ecckersports.com.