High School NIL Rules by State (2026): What Athletes Can and Can't Do
State-by-state comparison of what high school athletes can earn from name, image, and likeness
TL;DR
Based on publicly available state association guidance as of February 16, 2026, high school NIL rules are set by state athletic associations (and sometimes districts), not the NCAA. Most states now permit NIL with restrictions such as no pay-for-play, no recruiting inducements, and no use of school marks or uniforms. A small group of states restrict NIL (Alabama, Indiana, Mississippi, Hawaii, Wyoming), and Texas is a special case with stricter UIL limitations. Montana is the only state where we could not confirm clear, public NIL guidance as of February 16, 2026. Rules change -- always verify with your state athletic association before signing anything. If your state's policy is not explicit, treat NIL as restricted until your association confirms in writing.
Key Takeaways
- High school NIL rules are governed state-by-state, not nationally -- based on publicly available guidance as of February 2026, most states permit NIL with restrictions
- Restricted states: Alabama, Indiana, Mississippi, Hawaii, and Wyoming prohibit or heavily limit high school NIL; Texas has special UIL limitations
- Texas is a special case: UIL allows 17+ prospective collegiate athletes to sign NIL agreements only with postsecondary institutions; other NIL agreements generally cannot be executed until UIL eligibility is exhausted
- Georgia permits NIL with restrictions under GHSA Appendix N guidelines (no collectives, no school marks, 7-day reporting)
- Rules change -- always verify with your state athletic association before signing. If your state's policy is not explicit, treat NIL as restricted until confirmed in writing