PA High School Athletes Can Now Profit From Name, Image, Likeness

PENNSYLVANIA — Much like college athletes, Pennsylvania high school athletes can now make money from their name, image and likeness. The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association approved the policy Wednesday.

Under the policy, student athletes are permitted to have endorsement deals and permitted to participate in promotional activities through advertisements and social media.

Almost immediately after the policy was enacted, Rodney Gallagher, a senior at Laurel Highlands High School in Uniontown, Fayette County, announced he had an NIL deal with the Pavement Group. Gallagher, a top football recruit in the state before committing to West Virginia University, announced the agreement with the paving company on Twitter.

Financial details of Gallagher's NIL deal were not disclosed.

The NIL policy stipulates that no school - or anyone employed by or affiliated with a PIAA member school (including booster clubs, coaches, collectives, administrators and alumni) can solicit, arrange, negotiate or pay for a student's use of their NIL unless they are a parent of the athlete.

Students engaging in NIL activities can't reference the PIAA or a PIAA member school's team name, nicknames or logo. Nor can the student wear uniforms or school-identifying apparel or promote any third-party goods and services during team or school activities.

Students also are banned from NIL endorsements for:

• Adult entertainment products and services.

• Alcohol products.

• Casinos and gambling, including sports betting, the lottery, and betting in connection with video games, on-line games and mobile devices.

• Tobacco and electronic smoking products and devices.

• Opioids and prescription pharmaceuticals.

• Controlled dangerous substances.

• Weapons, firearms and ammunition.