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Ohio high school athletes can temporarily sign NIL deals following court order

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Jamier Brown by Mick Walker -- Lettermen Row --
Jamier Brown (Mick Walker/Lettermen Row)

Ohio high school athletes can temporarily sign NIL deals, following an Ohio judge granting a temporary restraining order on Monday. Franklin County Judge Jaiza Page granted the TRO against eligibility rules that prohibit high school athletes from signing endorsement deals while retaining their amateur status.

The order was granted in a lawsuit filed by 2027 four-star wide receiver and Ohio State commit Jamier Brown, who sued the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) last week. Back in 2022, the OHSAA voted against allowing NIL for high school athletes in the state.

The judge’s order will last 45 days until Dec. 15, when another hearing is scheduled for a preliminary injunction. Until then, the OHSAA will not be able to enforce its NIL rules.

“The court does find that granting this will allow for expanded opportunities for high school students and youth across the state of Ohio,” Judge 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.

Ohio is currently one of six states that do not allow high school athletes to profit off their NIL. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound wide receiver is committed to Ohio State and the No. 1 prospect from the state of Ohio in the 2027 class, according to Rivals. Brown visited Notre Dame on Saturday for its game against USC.

In the complaint filed by Brown, he calls the OHSAA’s NIL rules “outdated and unlawful.”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.