Ohio High School athletes May Soon Benefit from NIL Deals Following Court Order
Columbus, OH – October 23, 2025 – A pivotal vote is looming for Ohio high school principals as they prepare to decide on a new bylaw regarding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes.The emergency referendum will be held November 17-21, following a recent court decision that has dramatically shifted the landscape of amateur athletics in the state.
The move comes after Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Jaiza Page issued a temporary restraining order on Monday, effectively allowing Ohio’s approximately 818 high school athletes to pursue NIL opportunities.This decision was spurred by a lawsuit filed by Jasmine Brown, mother of highly-ranked Wayne High School wide receiver Jamier Brown, a verbal commit to Ohio State.
Brown’s family alleges their son has already lost out on over $100,000 in potential earnings due to Ohio’s existing restrictions on NIL. Jamier Brown himself voiced his desire to utilize his NIL rights to support his family and enhance his athletic and academic progress,stating on social media,”I want to be able to use my name,image,and likeness to help my family financially and get the extra after school academic help and football training…NIL can make that possible.”
Ohio currently stands as one of only six states prohibiting high school athletes from profiting off their NIL, alongside Alabama, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, and Wyoming. A previous NIL proposal was overwhelmingly rejected by OHSAA members in 2022. However, the OHSAA Board of Directors recently approved revised language for a new proposal, initially slated for a May vote, but expedited due to the court order.
The proposed bylaw aims to permit NIL agreements while implementing crucial reporting procedures and limitations to safeguard student eligibility and maintain competitive fairness. Luke Fedlam, attorney for the Brown family, emphasized the distinction between high school and collegiate NIL regulations. “High school NIL is different from college NIL,” Fedlam explained. “There are guardrails in place to protect the integrity of sport. Unlike college, we don’t see the presence of collectives designed for recruitment and retention at the high school level.”
A further hearing regarding a preliminary injunction is scheduled for December 15th, adding another layer of urgency to the upcoming vote. The outcome will determine whether Ohio high school athletes will be able to capitalize on their growing personal brands and the opportunities that NIL presents.
