Minnesota State High School League Approves NIL Policy

You can add Minnesota to the growing list of states allowing high school student-athletes to earn compensation for their name, image, and likeness.

The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) announced via Twitter this week that its Board of Directors approved an NIL policy while protecting student-athletes’ amateur status.

The Board approves a Name Image Likeness (NIL) policy for students participating in MSHSL sports and activities. The policy protects students' amateur status. pic.twitter.com/h7ClI4ciCJ

— Minnesota State High School League (@MSHSL) June 7, 2022

Pursuant to MSHSL Bylaw 201, a student may earn compensation from the use of the name, image, and likeness consistent with current MSHSL regulations and provided:

• The compensation is not contingent on specific athletic performance or achievement (i.e. financial incentives based on points scored).
• The compensation (or prospective compensation) is not provided as an inducement to attend a particular school (“recruiting”) or to remain enrolled at a particular school.
• The compensation is commensurate with market value.
• The compensation is not provided by the school or an agent of the school (i.e. booster club, foundation, etc.)
• NIL activities must not interfere with student-athlete’s academic obligations.
• A student must not miss athletic practice, competition, travel, or other team obligations in order to participate in an NIL opportunity.

Permissible NIL activities under the new MSHSL policy include officiating/instructing/teaching/coaching in athletics, commercial non-school promotional advertisements, autographs, and client representation.

Prohibited NIL activities include the sale of items from the school while student-athlete has remaining eligibility, and referencing school involvement during non-school promotional advertisements. Also prohibited is the promotion of gaming/gambling companies, alcohol and tobacco companies, cannabis or related products, banned or illegal substances, adult entertainment products and/or services, contraceptive products and/or sexual enhancement products, and weapons.

Additionally, a student may not use his or her NIL opportunity to endorse an equipment company or manufacturer to publicize the fact the school uses its equipment.

If a student-athlete were to violate this policy and is not in good standing, he or she may lose eligibility in one or more activities or athletic programs.

Minnesota joins Alaska, California, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, and Utah to allow high school student-athletes to compensate for NIL opportunities.

To read the full draft from the MSHL about its new NIL policy for high school student-athletes, click here.