By: Justin Walker | WV Sports Chat
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – On Friday, a new law went into effect that permits West Virginia student-athletes in middle school and high school to earn money from their Name, Image & Likeness (NIL). West Virginia becomes one of over 40 states to have laws that govern NIL for young athletes.
“We’re just trying to serve the student athlete appropriately and keep our competitive rules and policy in place,” said Wayne Ryan, Executive Director of the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC). When asked about the guidelines that are in place that will allow students to properly monetize their NIL, Ryan said, “They have to keep it independent of their school and athletic life.”
Below are some of the rules that young athletes must adhere to when monetizing their NIL for monetary gain:
- Students are prohibited from referencing the school or wearing the school logo when engaging in NIL activity
- No coach, teacher or school administrator can participate in the NIL activity in any way
- Students must not reference the WVSSAC when participating in NIL activity
- Students can’t engage in NIL activities that advertise for the following products:
- alchohol
- tobacco
- cannabis
- gambling
- weapons
- prescription drugs
- and more
Local attorney, Paul Saluja, stated that NIL opportunities will help keep kids in West Virginia and allow them and their families some flexibility. “This at least allows them the opportunity to go ahead and at least, if not secure their future, but get a good head start on securing their future,” Saluja said, when speaking about high school athletes, most of which won’t play at the professional level.
Ryan stressed that students and parents considering NIL deals should contact the WVSSAC’s director of compliance to make sure there are no issues with eligibility.
West Virginia Watch was used as a source for this article.
