North Carolina high school athletes can now capitalize on their name, image, and likeness (NIL) for commercial purposes without losing their eligibility to compete.
An October 2024 ruling from the state’s Superior Court enabled the shift. The ruling allows high schoolers to sign endorsement deals, make paid appearances, and monetize their personal brands. This oppurtunity ways previously reserved for college and professional athletes.
With public and private high school athletes in North Carolina cleared to create NIL deals, many of the state’s top schools are poised to benefit from their athletes’ burgeoning marketability. These are some of the top high schools to produce major NIL deals.
The catalyst that shifted the landscape in NC
The NIL legal breakthrough stems from a lawsuit filed by Faizon Brandon, the No. 1 football recruit in the nation. Brandon’s a Tennessee commit and star quarterback at Grimsley High School, a public school in Greensboro.
Brandon and his mother challenged the State Board of Education’s temporary rule. The old rule prohibited public school athletes from engaging in NIL deals.
The rule was put in place following the passage of Senate Bill 452 in 2023. SB 452 tasked the State Board with regulating high school athletes’ NIL activities. However, the board’s decision to ban NIL deals altogether for public school students led to a legal backlash.
Brandon had received multiple offers to license his name, image, and likeness for compensation. He would have lost his eligibility to play high school sports under the temporary rule. The court granted a preliminary injunction in early October.
Superior Court Judge A. Graham Shirley ruled that the board had exceeded its authority by implementing a blanket prohibition on NIL deals rather than establishing reasonable regulations as SB 452 intended.
The latest ruling allows Brandon and other North Carolina high school athletes to pursue NIL deals without fear of losing their ability to compete until a permanent rule is adopted. Athletes over 18 can sign their own deals, while those under that age will need a parent or guardian’s approval.
Types of activities now permissible for HS NIL deals
Guidelines for NIL deals have not been ironed out yet. The ruling referenced the types of activities that were generally prohibited by the overturned temporary rule, including:
- Public appearances or commercials
- Autograph signings
- Athletic camps and clinics
- Sale of nonfungible tokens (NFTs)
- Product or service endorsements
- Promotional activities (in-person events and social media advertisements)
Private schools in North Carolina received NIL rights earlier this year after the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association approved an NIL policy that began this fall.
North Carolina’s high school NIL hot spots
With legal hurdles cleared, the race is on to see which North Carolina high schools produce the biggest NIL stars. Here are the top five schools currently leading the pack in football NIL, based on data from On3.
- Providence Day School (Charlotte): Founded in 1970, Providence Day School has established itself as a powerhouse in both academics and athletics. Tennessee commit David Sanders Jr., a five-star offensive tackle ranked second nationally in NIL valuations, leads the pack in NC with a staggering $1.3 million deal. The school’s track record of producing top athletes extends beyond football, as its basketball and track programs have also yielded notable talent.
- Grimsley High School (Greensboro): Home to the aforementioned standout Faizon Brandon, Grimsley boasts a rich athletic history dating back to its founding in 1899. Brandon’s $567,000 NIL valuation solidifies his position as a trailblazer in this new era of high school sports. Grimsley has a history of producing standout athletes, particularly in football and basketball.
- East Forsyth High School (Kernersville): Coming in at number three is East Forsyth, with North Carolina quarterback commit Bryce Baker holding a $407,000 NIL valuation. Founded in 1962, East Forsyth has consistently been a powerhouse in high school athletics. It’s produced numerous Division I athletes and even a few NFL players.
- South Garner High School (Garner): Though a relative newcomer, having opened its doors in 2018, South Garner has quickly made a name for itself in the athletic arena. Four-star offensive tackle Ekene Ogboko, with a $344,000 NIL valuation, is a testament to the school’s rising athletic program.
- Reidsville High School (Reidsville): A historic institution founded in 1923, Reidsville holds the distinction of winning the most state football championships in North Carolina history. Five-star tight end Kendre Harrison, valued at $200,000 for NIL, continues the school’s legacy of producing top-tier athletes.
Where states stand on high school athletes’ NIL deals
Many states are embracing the NIL era for high school athletes. However, the legalization of prep NIL deals is not uniform across the country. As of 2024, several states allow high school athletes to engage in NIL activities, while others maintain strict prohibitions.
High school NIL allowed:
Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas (limited), California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas (limited), Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada (limited), New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington.
High school NIL generally not allowed:
Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi (limited), Missouri (limited), Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Even in states permitting NIL deals, individual state athletic associations may impose their own rules and restrictions.
Image Credit: Phelan M. Ebenhack / AP Images
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