Minnesota State High School League joins growing list of associations allowing high school student-athletes to profit off of their NIL

The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Board of Directors approved a name, image, and likeness policy on Tuesday that allows high school student-athletes to monetize their NIL, becoming the 11th state to make this move. 

The approved policy will allow amateur student-athletes to participate in promoting or endorsing a product or service as well as signing autographs to generate an income through the use of their NIL. Students may also receive compensation for officiating, instructing, teaching or coaching skills in a sport/activity.

As stated in a statement released by the MSHSL about the new policy, students may earn compensation through their NIL if:

• The compensation is not contingent on specific athletic performance or achievement
• The compensation is not provided as an inducement to attend a particular school or to remain enrolled at a particular school
• The compensation is commensurate with market value
• The compensation is not provided by the school or an agent of the school

Additionally, NIL activities must not interfere with a student-athlete’s academic obligations and a student must not miss athletic practice, competition, travel, or other team obligations in order to participate in an NIL opportunity.

Students are only permitted to participate in non-school promotional activities and are not allowed to use any MSHSL logos or any school logos, marks, or mascots in any advertisements or promotions.

Promotional activities associated with gaming/gambling, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, cannabis, banned or illegal substances, adult entertainment, contraceptive product and/or sexual enhancement products, or weapons are not permitted to be endorsed by any students.

Receiving payments simply for being a student-athlete and improper recruiting
inducements will remain prohibited.

Want to learn more?

This new policy can be exciting news for a student-athlete, but it is important that coaches, parents and anyone involved in a student-athletes life understand what NIL means for them and to help guide them carefully through potential NIL opportunities. Some things to consider include:

• Does a proposed NIL deal abide by the MSHSL bylaws and policies and any school applicable policy?
• How might NIL policies in different states affect where a student may want to play in college and/or their future goals?

Our team at Eccker Sports understands this journey can be an intimidating one for everyone involved in a student-athlete’s life. We encourage coaches, administrators, parents and student-athletes to take our NIL Playbook Course which will guide you step-by-step through what you need to know about NIL in high school and college. Coach Assist helps coaches learn how to effectively communicate their NIL knowledge to student-athletes and their families. Additionally, our Resource Hub will help you stay up-to-date on new NIL policies in your state so you can effectively guide, inform and protect your student-athlete through their NIL journey.

Learn more today at Eccker Sports!