State of Florida considers allowing NIL deals for high school athletes

Right now, the state is one of 16 that doesn’t allow high schoolers to be paid for their “name, image and likeness” — or NIL — like college athletes are now able to do. But the Florida High School Athletic Association is considering changing that.

“There’s a lot of people who are against NIL stuff in college and now probably in high school,” said Josh Brown, a parent of a local athlete. “There’s a lot of people who probably have an argument against it — I have an argument for it.”

Brown is the father of two boys, including one who is still in high school.

“I think what it would do is it would motivate him more,” he said.

Brown says as a parent, he’s excited about this prospect.

“I’ve watched some of these kids grow up from little league sports and now they’re in high school,” Brown said. “If they can make a couple dollars and get them a new car, they can help mom and dad out if they can do stuff for their family, that’s what it’s all about.”