AIA clarifies NIL rules for Arizona high school athletes

Since NIL revolutionized college sports beginning in 2021, when student-athletes were first allowed to profit off of their name, image and likeness, it has eased into high schools in states across the country.

The Arizona Interscholastic Association allows for NIL. It's been there. But the AIA Legislative Council has adopted new language designed to clarify the rules pertaining to NIL.

"It honestly is very limited," AIA Executive Director David Hines said. "All of these state associations, if you really get down to it, people think, 'I have an NIL.' It could be an NIL that once you get into college, it comes into affect. It could be that you're on social media and you're selling clothes, a brand of clothes. If you put it on social media, and it gets so many hits, and a company will pay you, you can do that.

"It's just more clarity."

Hines said athletes still can't get a collective, have boosters-generate money that can entice transfers. They can't use the school uniform, the logo, the school name, anything associated with the school or school district.

A large NIL committee, comprised of school administrators and led by AIA assistant executive director Jim Dean, has worked since last fall on putting together this new language that was recently passed:

"A student-athlete may benefit from the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL) provided the NIL is not connected to his/her AIA sanctioned high school team or activity program. NIL activities consistent with the guidelines in AIA bylaw 15.11.1.2 will not result in loss of amateur status. NIL activities may not be utilized to violate AIA bylaw 15.12 (Recruitment Rule). A student that is in violation of this bylaw and shall immediately lose eligibility if that student, his/her family member, or anyone else on behalf of that student, enters into an agreement with an individual, corporate entity, partnership, association, or any other party or organization which violates the guidelines in AIA bylaw 15.11.1.2."

"The language was changed to help clarify what's allowed in our NIL rule," Dean said. "Our rule allows NIL. It always has. This language that the committee brought forward to Legislative Council clarifies that a little further."

NIL guidelines in the AIA

The NIL guidelines in the AIA are as follows:

• "A student-athlete may benefit from the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) provided: The compensation is not contingent on athletic performance or achievement.

• "The compensation is not an incentive to enroll in or remain enrolled at a specific school.

• "The compensation is not provided by the school, a booster club, a collective, or any person/entity acting as an agent on behalf of the school or athletic program.

• "No 'marks' may be used including, but not limited to,school or district name, logo, uniforms, mascots, or any AIA logo.

• "No school or district apparel or equipment shall be worn or used thatincludes school or district name, logo, uniforms, mascots, or any AIA logo.

• "No AIA member school facility may be used for the purpose of NIL activities.15.11.1.2.7 No activities in conflict with a member school’s district policy may beendorsed. (Examples include, but are not limited to, tobacco products,alcohol products and controlled substances.)

• "Within five (5) school days of entering into any NIL contract/agreement, astudent, or the student’s parents/guardians, must notify the school’s AthleticDirector of the agreement.

• "Students and their families should seek professional guidance regardingcollegiate financial aid, NCAA clearinghouse, legal and/or tax implications,among other concerns.

Hines said additional rules pertaining to student athletes also must be followed, which prohibits anyone on behalf of the student from entering into a partnership for use of a student NIL that relates to their school, district or activities.

Scottsdale Rancho Solano Prep Athletic Director and boys basketball coach Aaron Trigg said that he was part of an AIA committee to work on NIL.

"I learned a significant amount being a part of the committee and there are a number of misconceptions about the AIA rules as well as the opportunities in other states," Trigg said.

There might be a few exceptional high school athletes who could benefit from NIL. Such as Gilbert Perry junior basketball star Koa Peat, who has a large social media following. Peat, who has played big roles the last two summers in gold medal runs for Team USA teams, said last week during Open Division state championship media day that "I haven't really thought about it that much.

"It's something to talk about after the season with my parents," Peat said.

Rob Yowell, president of Gemini Sports Group, who works with college collectives, athletes and brands in NIL, says it's unrealistic for a high school to be worth a lot to a brand outside a few sports that have a more direct path to professional status than others.

Figuring how to manage NIL in high school

"NIL in high school needs to be managed and some bad decisions are already being made to chase scholarships," Yowell said. "Now, if we add NIL money, there will be even more."

Goodyear Millennium sophomore Cameron Holmes said he is leaving it to his parents to sort the NIL stuff out. But, he added, "That's something to look forward to."

Chandler Hamilton Athletic Director Brett Palmer, who sat on the NIL committee, said the biggest piece is educating everybody on NIL.

"The NIL has this misconception, especially at the high school level, that it's going to turn into the Bronny James situation," Palmer said. "It's not going to be that case.

"Obviously, you're going to have your one-offs like a Koa Peat, who could probably monetize. But for the most part, it's educating our coaches and families and kids of what you can and can't do,'' he said. "That's what we're going to look to do, provide education. We'll bring in speakers and NIL compliance people with the AIA. That's the biggest piece. And making sure they understand the bylaw. And, if they do an NIL, that there's no Hamilton logo, no CUSD logo."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How the AIA has adapted NIL rules for high school athletes