South Carolina Moves to Ban NIL Deals for High School Athletes Amid Growing Legal Debate

South Carolina High School League Bans NIL Compensation

In response to legislative pressure, the South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) amended its bylaws this week to explicitly prohibit student-athletes from earning compensation for their athletic participation. The change, documented in a report by the South Carolina Daily Gazette, aims to comply with a newly passed state budget clause that bans public school districts from affiliating with any athletic association that “permits, allows or authorizes” NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) compensation.

Previously, the wording of SCHSL’s rules could have been interpreted as permitting athletes to earn compensation as long as it wasn’t tied to athletic performance or use of school property. League Commissioner Jerome Singleton clarified that the amendment doesn’t reflect a new policy but rather reinforces long-standing rules about maintaining amateur status.

“You can change the wording, but you can’t change the intent,” Singleton told the South Carolina Daily Gazette.