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Quick answers on name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals under IHSAA Rule 5-7, which the IHSAA calls Personal Branding Activities (PBAs). For the full walkthrough, see Indiana High School NIL Rules: What Student-Athletes Can and Can't Do.
Can I get paid for promoting a product on my personal Instagram?
Yes — as long as you don't reference your school (name, logo, mascot, uniform, etc.) and the deal isn't tied to your athletic performance or your school's athletic program.
Can I wear my school jersey in a paid ad?
No. Using your school's name, logo, uniform, or identity in any branding activity is prohibited, even if the rest of the deal would otherwise be fine.
Can I run a private lesson business in my own sport?
Yes, if it meets all five conditions: not associated with your school, no school name or logo used, not organized or sponsored by your school or an interscholastic competition, not used to recruit or influence prospective students, and not treated as an athletic service connected to your school.
Can I use the school gym or field for a paid clinic?
Only if a facility use agreement is on file through the standard public rental process. Without that paperwork, using school facilities for a paid activity is a violation.
Does getting paid affect my amateur status?
Compensation itself doesn't disqualify you — but the NIL deal has to comply with every other part of IHSAA Rule 5 (Amateurism). If it doesn't, you could lose eligibility regardless of the PBA rule.
What do I have to report, and to whom?
Notify your Member-School Administrator in writing within 48 hours of entering a PBA agreement or receiving compensation. Failing to report on time can create eligibility problems even if the deal itself was permissible.
Who handles taxes on money I earn from an NIL deal?
You and your parent or guardian are responsible for tax reporting and legal compliance. IHSAA doesn't manage this for you.
Can a booster club or "collective" pay me?
No. Students may not accept benefits from PBA collectives or any entity operating on behalf of a member school.
What if a business offers me money to transfer schools?
That's prohibited outright. Any PBA activity used to induce or encourage a student to attend, transfer to, or remain at a school for athletic purposes is a violation, no matter how it's structured.
What's the penalty if I break the NIL rules?
Up to 365 days of ineligibility in the sport involved, with an option to apply for reinstatement through IHSAA's established procedures.
Will an NIL deal affect my NCAA, NAIA, or NJCAA eligibility later?
Possibly. Those organizations have their own NIL rules, separate from IHSAA's. Check with a college compliance office before signing if you plan to compete at that level.
Where can I find the official rule?
This FAQ is general information only. For the binding rule and any specific eligibility question, check with your school administrator or IHSAA directly — they have sole and complete authority over interpretation and enforcement.
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All resources, articles, forms, checklists, examples, scenarios, and guidance are provided solely for general informational, educational, example, and illustrative purposes. They are not legal, tax, accounting, financial, compliance, or other professional advice; do not create an attorney-client, accountant-client, or other professional relationship; may not reflect the law, rules, or facts applicable to a particular person, school, transaction, or jurisdiction; and should not be relied upon without review by an appropriately licensed local attorney and certified public accountant familiar with the user’s specific circumstances. Users remain responsible for obtaining individualized professional advice and confirming current requirements with applicable schools, governing bodies, and authorities.