Wyoming

High School Status

Prohibited

High School Governing Body

Wyoming High School Activities Association (WHSAA)

Source

WHSAA Handbook, Amateur Standards

NIL State Law

None

Status

What We Discovered

The Wyoming High School Activities Association (WYHSAA) maintains strict regulations regarding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) for its high school student-athletes. The organization’s bylaws include prohibitions on direct monetary compensation, gifts with monetary value, and revenue generated from the sale of merchandise bearing their name or likeness. Collegiate athletes should adhere to their current National Collegiate Association guidelines. To see NCAA, NJCAA, and NAIA guidelines, click here.

Summary

College

NIL Law: None; new NCAA Guidelines (10-26-22)

Abstract | NCAA Guidelines | Passed: N/A | Effective: N/A

Wyoming has not passed NIL legislation. College student-athletes can monetize their NIL in accordance with the NIL policies and procedures of their institution, conference, and national collegiate association (i.e. NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA). The NCAA has changed their guidelines as of October 26, 2022. Anything NIL related after 10/26/22 will refer to the new guidelines.

Summary

High School

The WHSAA bylaws state a high school athlete forfeits their amateur status if they capitalize on athletic fame by receiving money, gifts of monetary value or merchandise. This indicates that high school student-athletes are prohibited from monetizing their NIL.

Bylaws | WHSAA Handbook

Excerpt | Amateur Standards

A student who represents a school in an interscholastic sport shall be an amateur in that sport. An amateur athlete is one who engages in athletic competition solely for the physical, mental, social, and pleasure benefits derived from such participation. Operation Gold award recipients are exempt from this rule.

5.7.1 An athlete forfeits amateur status in a sport by:

Competing for or accepting money or other monetary compensation (it is permissible for a student to accept necessary meals, lodging, and transportation in connection with playing a contest)
Receiving any award or prize of monetary value which exceeds the amount that has been approved by the WHSAA
Capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money, gifts of monetary value, or merchandise
Signing a professional playing contract in that sport

5.7.2 Accepting a nominal standards fee or salary for instructing, supervising or officiating in an organized youth sports program or recreation or playground activities shall not jeopardize amateur standards.

5.7.3 Violation of either the Awards or Amateur Standards shall result in the student becoming ineligible in the sport concerned.