All across the country, college athletes are earning money through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. They appear in ads, sign sponsorships, and even have their own line of merchandise. Meanwhile, here in Arizona, the landscape for high school athletes is shifting, but the rules remain very restrictive for young athletes. As they gain large followings, a question arises: Should high school athletes in Arizona be allowed to benefit from their own talent and hard work just as college students can?
The governing body for high school sports, the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA), updated its bylaws, permitting high school student-athletes with the ability to profit from their name, image, and likeness. However, this only applies under strict conditions: athletes cannot use team uniforms, school logos, or reference any affiliation they have to a school or the AIA in a NIL deal. Additionally, they must notify their athletic director within five days of signing a deal. So while high school NIL deals are allowed in Arizona, there are many restrictions designed to keep the school and team separate from any personal endorsement.
These high school athletes put in countless hours of training, whether it be through early morning practices, weekend tournaments, off-season training, and more. If college athletes can earn revenue from their efforts, younger athletes should be able to have the same benefits. Granting the ability to monetize their skill would acknowledge the hard work and dedication they have invested, and give opportunities more to athletes from less privileged backgrounds.
At the same time, the concerns are very real. The AIA enforces these rules to protect against amateurism and the commercialization of youth sports. If a deal pushes an athlete to act a certain way or ties compensation to performance (which is prohibited), the chances of exploitation increase drastically.
The current system in Arizona uses a compromise of both. It allows student-athletes to sign NIL deals, but with strict guidelines. Some argue that this still isn’t enough to remunerate for the enormous amount of time and effort invested by the athlete, as it places tight barriers that can prevent a student from fully capitalizing on their own brand and popularity—especially when they cannot use school affiliations. While many believe this, others disagree with this idea, arguing that restrictions are necessary in order to preserve the integrity of competition at the high school level. However, the world is changing, and with that, rules should as well. The focus is no longer solely on the field; instead, it is on growing social media platforms, personal branding, and off-field opportunities.
It is time for the rules to evolve. Student-athletes should have the ability to benefit from their talent during performances, just as the school or team they play for does. Allowing them to profit from their name and their game does not weaken the spirit of competition. Instead, it rewards their commitment, fosters responsibility, and empowers young athletes to shape their futures in their own way.
