Wisconsin approves NIL deals for high school athletes

Wisconsin has become the latest state to allow high school athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL), joining at least 40 other states with similar policies. Approved by WIAA member schools, the new rule allows student-athletes to receive compensation, though with restrictions such as prohibiting the use of school logos, uniforms, and endorsements of products like alcohol or tobacco. Only a small percentage of elite athletes are expected to benefit significantly. The delay in adopting NIL rules allowed Wisconsin to learn from other states’ experiences and craft comprehensive guidelines. The policy change reflects a broader national trend, as more states consider or implement regulations permitting high school athletes to engage in NIL deals under strict conditions. These moves are part of an ongoing shift in amateur athletics sparked by the NCAA’s 2021 decision to allow college athletes to monetize their personal brands.