A new bylaw that allows high school athletes in Ohio to participate in Name, Image and Likeness (NIL)/Personal Branding Rights opportunities under a structured, education-first framework passed by OHSAA member schools during a one-week emergency referendum vote that ended November 21.
The proposed bylaw passed 447 to 121, while 247 schools abstained from voting. The emergency referendum vote was in response to a judge’s temporary restraining order that prevented the OHSAA from enforcing any NIL rules. The OHSAA Office will continue to keep the membership informed on the pending legal case. However, the adoption of this new bylaw will help ensure a stable and secure framework for NIL and Personal Branding Rights at the high school level in Ohio moving forward.
“Our school administrators took ownership of this issue, whether through participating in a November 2024 committee meeting, giving feedback during our fall Regional Update Meetings or participating in the recent informational webinars,” said OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute.
“Whether individuals agree with NIL at the high school level or not, the courts have spoken on this issue across the country that the NCAA and high school athletic associations cannot prevent a student-athlete from making money on their NIL.
“Now the real work begins, because this will be a continually evolving piece of high school athletics,” Ute added. “The OHSAA will track NIL deals and make sure that our recruiting and transfer bylaws are still enforced, which is something our member schools have asked for throughout this process.”
To read the full language of the new bylaw, go here:
https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/SchoolResources/refvote/NI LFINAL2026ReferendumItems.pdf
To read a condensed summary of the new bylaw, go here:
https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/SchoolResources/refvote/NI LSummaryPage.pdf
To read a quick Yes-No summary, go here:
https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Eligibility/OHSAAStudent-AthleteYESNOList.pdf
