High School Status
Permitted
High School Governing Body
NIL State Law
Status
What We Discovered
Virginia has become the 27th state to allow high school students to profit from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).The Virginia High School League (VHSL) has updated its bylaws to permit NIL, stating that “Students may receive compensation for the use of their own name, image, and likeness (NIL). Common NIL activities include, but are not limited to: social media influencing, product endorsements, personal appearances, autograph signings, merchandise or apparel sales, or group licensing.” The bylaws provide additional details about the new regulations.
Summary
College
NIL Law: Senate Bill 223
Abstract | Full Bill | Passed: 4/11/2022 | Effective: 7/1/2022
NIL Law: House Bill 1505
Abstract | Full Bill | Passed: 4/18/2024 | Effective: 7/1/2024
Unique verbiage to SB 223 includes prohibiting post-secondary institutions from providing a student-athlete with compensation or facilitating NIL opportunities. Institutions are required to conduct financial literacy and life skills workshops. Student-athletes cannot accept deals related to certain industries or extend contracts beyond their participation in an athletic program at a postsecondary institution.
House Bill 1505 revises laws on student-athlete compensation for name, image, and likeness (NIL) at public and private institutions in the Commonwealth. It prohibits athletic organizations from restricting institutions from facilitating NIL opportunities, requires institutions to develop and approve NIL policies, and allows institutions to incentivize entities to support NIL opportunities for student-athletes. The Intercollegiate Athletics Review Commission must review and report on the implementation of these provisions by November 1, 2024.
Summary
High School
Virginia has become the 27th state to permit Name, Image, and Likeness at the high school level. The Virginia High School League has released modified By-Laws for Name, Image, and Likeness stating that “Students may receive consideration for the use of their own name, image and likeness (NIL). Common NIL activities include, but are not limited to: social media (or acting as a social media influencer), product endorsements, personal appearances, autograph sessions, merchandise or apparel sales, or group licensing.” The bylaws go on to explain the rules surrounding the new procedures.
Bylaws | VHSL Handbook
Exerpt| Article V- Eligibility Rules
Amateur Status. Students must be amateur athletes in the sport(s) in which they participate, and they may not accept compensation in exchange for athletic performance or participation, or as an inducement for enrollment. Students are permitted to benefit from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), provided:
a. they do not receive compensation contingent on enrollment;
b. they do not receive compensation for athletic participation or achievement;
c. they do not receive compensation for work not performed;
d. there is no affiliation with, or reference to their school or to VISAA;
e. they do not appear in the uniform of their school;
f. they do not utilize the marks, logos, or name of their school or VISAA, and
g. they do not receive compensation from a school NIL Collective, defined as a group of alumni, supporters, parents, or other people who form an entity to provide NIL opportunities to student-athletes of a specific school.