Florida’s new law allowing high school athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness will redefine high school athletics, according to a sports expert at Florida Atlantic University.
Florida’s new law allowing high school athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness will redefine high school athletics, according to a sports expert at Florida Atlantic University.
The new legislation, approved by the Florida High School Athletic Association, starts during the 2024-25 sports season and will bring significant changes to the lives of high school athletes.
“This legislation has a major impact on the lives of minor athletes and their ability to monetize before they even enter college,” said Daniel Cornely, director of the MBA in Sport Management Program at the College of Business. “The deal gives students more exposure to college recruiters while they are still playing at the high school level and the ability to possibly become brand ambassadors of companies looking to strike deals with them.”
Under a measure approved by the Florida High School Athletic Association, students can earn money through NIL deals without risking their athletic eligibility. Current guidelines prevent students from earning money while using their school’s uniform, logo or other intellectual property, or promoting content about politics, weapons or smoking.
While parents and students are ultimately responsible for negotiating the deals, schools and their athletic programs will need to make sure students are aware of the financial aspects of their deals.
“Student-athletes need to be educated on business and financial literacy; they need to know how much to set aside for taxes, as well as contract negotiation to make sure they comply with existing rules,” Cornely said. “Schools and athletic directors will need to provide education on the rules and ensure compliance to navigate this new environment effectively.”
According to Cornely, companies could exploit high school students, potentially putting undue pressure on them to secure deals. It is also possible that disparities between schools will grow, as those with more resources may have an advantage in attracting top talent.
“While schools are not allowed to use NIL deals to recruit students, certain conversations may still happen that allude to that, giving some programs an advantage over others,” Cornely said.
-FAU-
Latest News Desk
- FAU Adds State-of-the-Art MRI System to Advance Research CapabilitiesFAU has added a new state-of-the-art MRI system to its research infrastructure, marking a transformative step forward for groundbreaking studies in neuroscience, clinical health and medical advancements.
- FAU Hosts ABC's 'Sharks' for First-of-its-Kind CompetitionThe judges of ABC's "Shark Tank" will be coming to Florida Atlantic University for its very own CrocTank, the first-of-its-kind live event on Dec. 4 at the Carole and Barry Kaye Performing Arts Auditorium.
- Arslan Munir, Ph.D., Pioneer in Smart Technologies, Joins FAUThe FAU College of Engineering and Computer Science recently welcomed Arslan Munir, Ph.D., an internationally renowned expert, researcher and pioneer in advanced computing and smart technologies.
- VR Could be a Gamechanger in Police-Civilian Crisis EncountersAn FAU College of Social Work and Criminal Justice study immersed police officers in virtual reality training using a realistic mental illness scenario to enhance empathy and complement traditional training.
- STEM Teachers in High-need Schools Resilient Despite ChallengesAn FAU College of Education researcher collaborated on a study examining 30 years of STEM teacher trends, focusing on qualifications and changes in high-need, primarily high-poverty U.S. schools.
- Alcohol-Related Deaths in the U.S. More than Double from 1999 to 2020FAU researchers explored overall trends as well as by age, gender, race and region. The sharpest spike occurred among 25-34-year-olds (nearly fourfold), while individuals aged 55-64 had the highest rates.