The Ohio High School Athletic Association became the 45th state to allow athletes to benefit from name, image and likeness after announcing Monday that an emergency referendum had been approved by member schools.
The vote was spurred by an October lawsuit by the parents of five-star Ohio State commit
Jamier Averette-Brown of
Wayne (Huber Heights, Ohio) that claimed lack of NIL "inflicts irreparable harm to his career development, brand reputation, public exposure, goodwill and constitutional rights."
It also claims he had missed out on more than $100,00 in potential deals.
The vote was 447 in favor of the NIL referendum with 121 opposing and 247 abstaining.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced an emergency bylaw change Monday that allows athletes to benefit from name, image and likeness. The change was brought about by a lawsuit in October from the family of five-star Ohio State commit Jamier Brown of Wayne. (FILE PHOTO: Megan Allen)
"We would like to thank our member schools for taking ownership of this NIL bylaw proposal," Doug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute said in a statement. "Whether our schools or individuals agree with NIL at the high school level or not, the courts have spoken on this issue across the country that the NCAA and high school athletic associations cannot prevent a student-athlete from making money on their NIL."
The bylaw goes into effect immediately. It also establishes reporting procedures and limitations so that students do not jeopardize their eligibility as it relates to the OHSAA's recruiting and amateur bylaws.
The OHSAA had been working on an NIL bylaw proposal for over a year before the lawsuit expidited the issue.
"Our member schools helped develop this language," said Ute. "Now the real work begins, because this will be a continually evolving piece of high school athletics."
