Ohio high school athletes can officially sign NIL deals after OHSAA vote

After a court order temporarily allowed Ohio high school athletes to sign NIL deals, the OHSAA voted to make it permanent. Ohio is now the 45th state to allow NIL at the high school level.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association took up emergency legislation following a lawsuit filed by Ohio State wide receiver commit Jamier Brown. Last month, a judge granted a temporary restraining order which temporarily allowed high school athletes in the state to sign NIL deals. The order was due to go through Dec. 15.

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Monday morning, the OHSAA’s rule change went through following a vote by high school principals. it passed by a 447-121 vote with 247 schools abstaining, according to WCPO-TV. Following the OHSAA’s ruling, five states do not allow NIL at the high school level.

“We would like to thank our member schools for taking ownership of this NIL bylaw proposal,” said OHSAA executive director Doug Ute in a statement. “Whether our schools or 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.” 

Brown sued the OHSAA last month over its NIL rules. Franklin County judge Jaiza Page then granted the TRO last month and scheduled another hearing for a preliminary injunction. Until then, the OHSAA was not able to enforce its rules about NIL.

“The court does find that granting this will allow for expanded opportunities for high school students and youth across the state of Ohio,” Page said. “Additionally, allowing this temporary restraining order will align this state’s policies for high school students with a majority of the other states across the country.”

Brown stated in his filing to the court that he had received endorsement offers worth over $100,000. The lawsuit also stated potential trading card deals along with “significant non-monetary benefits” that were not available because of OHSAA rules. In the complaint, he called the OHSAA’s NIL rules “outdated and unlawful.”

“OHSAA’s blanket ban not only singles out Ohio’s high school student athletes for unequal treatment, but it also unlawfully suppresses their economic liberties, freedom of expression, and restrains competition in the NIL marketplace,” Brown’s complaint stated.

Brown is one of the top recruits in the country from the 2026 cycle. The five-star receiver is also the No. 1-ranked prospect in the state of Ohio, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Pete Nakos contributed.