WIAA votes to let high school athletes profit from their name, image and likeness

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association voted Friday to allow high school student athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness.  

WIAA rejected a much deliberated NIL proposal  last April. But during its annual meeting of athletic directors Friday, the group changed course and approved the rule change 293-108, joining a growing national movement.

At least 40 states, including Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa, allow high school athletes to participate in NIL deals.

“With today’s vote, member schools have opted to join a growing list of states that allow student athletes to capitalize on their athletic talents in a way that is similar to students with other valued talents and skills,” WIAA Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said in a statement. “At its core, the WIAA is charged with promoting fairness and sportsmanship while protecting the integrity of the game – something I believe this NIL language preserves.”

The policies allow high school athletes to sign endorsement deals or make money from promoting products.

Wisconsin’s policy restricts student athletes from participating in NIL deals associated with a student’s school team, school, conference or the WIAA.

Students also cannot wear their school team’s uniform in any endorsement deal or use the marks and logos of their school, conference or the WIAA.

Under the rule change, NIL activities can’t interfere with a student’s academics, and students cannot miss practices, competitions or other team obligations to participate in NIL opportunities.

Students are also barred from hiring an agent, and schools and their employees cannot help facilitate NIL deals for student athletes.

In November, WIAA partnered with Influential Athlete, a Milwaukee-based company focused on educating high school athletes on how to best use their name, image and likeness in both high school and beyond.

On Friday, Influential Athlete CEO Stephanie Grady called the decision a “historic and exciting moment” for high school sports in Wisconsin.

Student athletes in the state will officially be able to begin monetizing their NIL deals at the end of May.

“Together, we are paving the way for student-athletes in Wisconsin to not only seize the opportunity NIL now offers—but to do so safely, compliantly, and successfully,” Grady said in a statement. “This is just the beginning, and we are proud to stand alongside you in this new chapter.”