FAU Expert: Landmark NIL Deal Could Change High School Sports
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 Academic & Campus Life
- Inaugural Winners of Biotech Bridge Hackathon AnnouncedFAU's Center for Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, has announced the inaugural winners of its Biotech Bridge Hackathon.
- 'Frontiers in Science' Presents Lecture on Safeguarding our CoastlinesThe 2025 Schmidt College of Science "Frontiers in Science Public Lecture Series" at FAU will host "Future-Proofing Our Coasts: Leveraging Science for a Sustainable Tomorrow," on Feb. 19.
- FAU Board of Trustees Select Adam Hasner to be Eighth PresidentThe Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees voted unanimously to select Adam Hasner the university's eighth president.
- Cameron G. Duncan, Ph.D., Named Dean of FAU Lynn College of NursingFAU has named Cameron G. Duncan, Ph.D., as the new Holli Rockwell Trubinsky Eminent Dean of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. Duncan is the fourth dean in the college's 45-year history.
- Online Veteran Bachelor's Program Achieves First 'U.S.' News RankingFlorida Atlantic University's online bachelor's program for veterans is ranked for the first time at No. 67 in the nation for 2025 by U.S. News & World Report.
- FAU Cuts Ribbon on Renovated CAPS CenterFAU President joined university staff and students for the Counseling And Psychological Services (CAPS) Center's official ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its recently renovated space