Florida Allows Student Athletes to Profit from Their Image, Rules May Be Revised Based on Behavior

Florida high school athletes are now allowed to profit from their names, images, and likenesses, abbreviated as NIL, following the unanimous approval of the policy by the Board of Education. The Florida High School Athletic Association had previously passed this measure in early June.

Craig Damon, the executive director of the association, emphasized that payments to student athletes are akin to part-time employment, stating, “It’s no different than a kid working at Publix or their local Chick-Fil-A, having the job, performing a service or a task, and getting compensated for that,” during the Orlando Board of Education meeting.

Florida has joined over 30 states in permitting high school students to leverage their NIL, largely influenced by the 2021 NCAA ruling allowing college athletes to do the same.

Contrary to the college model where significant profits have been seen, the Florida program is not expected to generate such lucrative opportunities for students. While elite athletes may have a chance to earn substantial amounts, Damon foresees the majority of student athletes engaging in local business partnerships.

The Florida regulation prohibits the involvement of collectives that centralize donations for individual athletes, a distinction from the NCAA rule.

With concerns about potential exploitative behavior towards student athletes, the Board of Education and athletic association seek to protect athletes from misleading contracts and ensure compliance with the newly approved rule.

Florida student athletes who have already secured deals following the amendment’s approval in June will not face penalties, as per Damon. The Education Commissioner, Manny Diaz Jr., expressed support for the rule, emphasizing the financial benefits for student athletes as a means to replace traditional part-time jobs.

Diaz also highlighted the opportunity for students to use their earnings for future education expenses like tuition, housing, and food after graduation.

The Board recommended research efforts to establish a registry of student athletes involved in NIL deals, as well as providing a standardized contract template for comparison with agreements from external parties.

Acknowledging the evolving nature of this policy, both the Board and the athletic association anticipate further adjustments in the future. The rule outlines restrictions on certain industries sponsoring athletes, including alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, gambling, and political or social activism, and prohibits the unauthorized use of school branding.