Indiana High School Sports Group Will Vote on a Rule for Student Athletes to Make Money
Introduction
The Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) board will vote on May 4. They will decide on a new rule. This rule lets high school athletes make money from their name, picture, and likeness (NIL). If the board says yes, Indiana will be the 47th state with this rule. Michigan made a similar rule three months ago.
Main Body
The new rule is called the Personal Branding Activity (PBA) rule. It says what students can and cannot do. Students cannot show they are from their school when they make money. They cannot use school buildings or things. They can teach, appear at events, or give private lessons. But these activities must not be with the school. Students must tell their school's athletic director within 48 hours after they sign a deal. The school can check the deal, but it cannot stop the activity. Collectives are groups of people. They give money to athletes. This is common in college sports. But in high school, collectives are not allowed. Commissioner Paul Neidig had eight meetings across the state. He talked about the new rule. At these meetings, people voted. About half of the school leaders said yes. In Plainfield, 24 out of 51 people voted yes. Neidig said the rule is like the old amateur rule. He said people own their own name and picture. He worried that collectives could make rich schools and poor schools more different. He said this could cause a big problem in school sports. This new rule is different from a rule last year. Last year, the IHSAA made a rule about students changing schools. That rule came from pressure from the government. In Ohio, the state sports group made a rule in November. A parent sued because her son could not make money from his name. She said he lost over $100,000. Now, only three states (Alabama, Hawaii, Mississippi) do not let high school athletes make money. Neidig said the new rule for high school is not like college. In college, athletes get money for playing well. In high school, students can make money from their own name, but not from their school.
Conclusion
The IHSAA board will decide on May 4. Their decision will tell if Indiana joins most other states. In those states, high school athletes can make money from their name, picture, and likeness. But there are rules to keep school sports fair and to stop businesses from using the school's name.