High School Status
Prohibited
High School Governing Body
NIL State Law
Status
What We Discovered
Mississippi lawmakers amended its state NIL law in April 2022, loosening restrictions on a collegiate institution’s ability to get involved in a student-athlete’s NIL opportunities. The amendment also changed when perspective and current collegiate athletes could begin securing NIL agreements. At the high school level, the MSHSAA, which governs high school athletics in Mississippi, strictly prohibits student-athletes from monetizing their NIL.
Summary
College
NIL Law: Senate Bill 2313
Abstract | Full Law | Passed: 4/16/2021 | Effective: 7/1/2021
NIL Law: Senate Bill 2690 (Amendment to SB2313)
Abstract | Full Law | Passed: 4/18/2022 | Effective: 4/18/2022
Mississippi has two laws pertaining to NIL, the original law and recently passed amendments loosening some of the state’s NIL restrictions. SB2690 (the amendment) removed language prohibiting student-athletes from entering into a NIL agreement prior to their enrollment at a post-secondary institution.
The amendment also allows college institutions to facilitate NIL opportunities for student-athletes interested in engaging in agreements with third parties.
Finally, it requires that contracts between an agency and a student-athlete have a disclaimer. Read the law and amendment linked above for more details.
Summary
High School
Prior to Mississippi amending its NIL legislation, it was one of the very few states with a state NIL law that prohibited high school athletes from monetizing their NIL. In April 2022, the Governor passed SB2690, removing this restriction.
However, the MHSAA, which governs high school athletics for student-athletes in Mississippi, clearly states in its bylaws that high school student-athletes are prohibited from monetizing their NIL.
Bylaws | MSHSAA Handbook
Excerpt | 2.39 AMATEUR RULE
2.39.1 A student must be an amateur in order to be eligible to represent his/her high school. Definition: An amateur is a student who engages in athletics/activities for the physical, mental, social, and educational benefits he/she derives from participation and to whom athletics/activities is an avocation.
2.39.2 For a student to lose his/her amateur standing, he/she must have committed one of the following acts:
1. Entered competition for a monetary guarantee, including gift certificates.
2. Entered competition for a share of the gate receipt.
3. Accepted money
4. Entered competition for prizes or merchandise of more than $1000.00 in retail value.
5. Sold or pawned a prize.
6. Accepted payment of expense allowances in excess of actual expenses (It shall be
permissible for an eligible student accept actual and necessary expenses.)
7. Signed a contract to play professional athletics or played on a professional team in any sport; directly or indirectly received a salary or any form of financial assistance from a professional sports organization.
8. Competed under a false name.
2.39.3 A student may engage in the following:
1. Play summer ball as an amateur on any team not under the jurisdiction of a professional organization, provided he/she does not receive pay for participation.
2. Accept meals, travel and lodging expenses.
3. Give Red Cross swimming and life saving instruction and receive pay for the service.
4. Serve as a life guard at swimming pools and receive reasonable pay.
5. Officiate or serve as an instructor in recreational sports as part of regular recreation program and receive financial remuneration of these services.
6. Accept the usual athletic jackets, letters, medal, ribbons, and trophies from the school and MHSAA, as well as trophies given by outside parties with the approval of the school.
7. Participate in bowling activities under the same conditions that govern other outside or summer athletic participation.