NIL policy now in place to allow West Virginia prep athletes to earn money
The policy, which became public on Aug. 8, now joins West Virginia with at least 40 other states to allow prep athletes to earn NIL money.
SSAC executive director Wayne Ryan did not respond to a message for comment.
In approving the policy, athletes in the state are now free to have their name or image tied to a company for the purpose of advertisements or commercials for monetary gain as well as earn money through things such as charging for an autograph without the fear of losing their amateur status or eligibility.
The policy does set some guidelines, beginning with athletes being prohibited from making any such endorsements while wearing an official school athletic uniform, jersey or logo. They can't make any references about the school they are enrolled in or any other SSAC member school.
The policy also prohibits anyone 'employed by a member school, including coaches and administrators,' from being involved in the student-athlete's use of their NIL.
Athletes are also blocked from promoting certain types of businesses and products, including casinos and any form of gambling, adult entertainment services, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine-related products, cannabis, prescription drugs, weapons and firearms.
Athletic directors at Morgantown High, University High, Trinity and Clay-Battelle were reached for reaction, but all refused to comment.
A provision in the policy makes it illegal for an athlete to be recruited from one high school to another with an NIL promise.
'No one associated with or acting at the direction of a member school, such as booster clubs, alumni or collectives, may use the promise of NIL opportunities to entice student athletes to transfer or attend their school,' the policy states.
The NCAA first approved NIL for college athletes in 2021, and those deals have grown into millions of dollars for some athletes. Texas quarterback Arch Manning is believed to have the most expensive NIL deal, currently worth $6.8 million, according to a report from Sports Illustrated.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
San Francisco Chronicle
10 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Top amateur golfers compete in S.F. while reaping rewards of college sports' new world
Jackson Koivun sure looked like a professional golfer as he navigated the Olympic Club's Ocean Course on Monday. Koivun's crisp, white Auburn golf shirt included a Footjoy logo. His bag promoted Titleist, his equipment sponsor. He also wore an Old Republic logo on one sleeve and another touting Betterment, a New York-based digital investment platform. That designation carries a different meaning these days, of course, in the era of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals and revenue sharing. The striking transformation of college sports stretches beyond football to reach top golfers such as Koivun, a 20-year-old who grew up in San Jose. So he and the world's other accomplished non-pros (technically) are openly displaying their corporate affiliations this week during the 125th U.S. Amateur in San Francisco – while they chase a prestigious title offering zero prize money. 'It's definitely a little weird,' Koivun said of that curious contrast, 'but it's the world we live in now.' This new world hinges on marketing and name recognition nearly as much as tournament titles. Estimates of Koivun's NIL valuation range from $1.4 million (according to Essentially Sports) to $1.55 million (Golf NIL), a byproduct of two terrific seasons at Auburn. He swept the sport's major awards last year as a freshman. Golf NIL's top 10 features largely the same standout college players who reside near the top of the world amateur ranking, including Michael La Sasso of Ole Miss and Virginia's Ben James. Also on the NIL list: Arkansas' John Daly II, son of the two-time major champion, and Florida's Luke Poulter, son of Ian Poulter, who won three events on the PGA Tour and 12 more on the European Tour. Daly II and the younger Poulter are solid college players who clearly benefit from their dads' fame (Daly II has 212,000 followers on Instagram). The same goes for Tiger Woods' son Charlie, who has an NIL valuation of $2.5 million as a rising high school junior. (Daly II and Poulter are in the field at Olympic, while Woods is not.) That's essentially a projection, though Koivun and James are among those directly benefiting now from the new landscape. 'NIL is great for us – it puts some money in our pocket, which is nice,' Koivun said. 'I'm just thankful I'm at a football school, because they bring in all the money.' Koivun lived in the Bay Area until age 17 and spent all but his senior year of high school at Mitty. Then his family moved to Chapel Hill, N.C., in part so he could be closer to Auburn. He's showing signs of becoming a PGA Tour star one day, in ways beyond his college success. Koivun has made six tour starts this year and finished in the top 11 three times, including a tie for sixth in one event and tie for fifth in another. Put another way: He's giving sponsors reason to bet on his future. James, who stands No. 2 in the world amateur ranking, played Monday's round dressed almost fully in Puma gear. (His caddie even wore a Puma golf hat.) Another key sponsor, Transcend Capital Advisors, has its logo prominently displayed on his bag. James, a senior, acknowledged how much the college golf scene has changed in his four years at Virginia. 'It's a lot different, for sure,' James said. 'I don't know whether it's good or bad. … But it's cool to see so many young college guys playing so well at the highest level.' Players such as James and Koivun hired agents in high school, a reality Koivun described as 'kind of crazy.' There's also this tangible effect of NIL: It probably plays a role in top golfers staying in school rather than bolt for the tour. (Just imagine what kind of NIL earning power Tiger Woods would have had at Stanford.) Koivun said the ability to earn money as a college golfer offers some incentive to stay. He will return to Auburn for his junior year. 'I'm just going to go (pro) whenever I'm ready,' he said. Poulter hired an agent only about two weeks ago, despite his surname and earning potential. His college career started slowly, in part because of a back injury, but he pocketed one victory and five top-10s last season at Florida, where he soon will begin his redshirt junior year. Poulter posted an even-par, opening-round 70 on the Ocean Course, putting himself in good position heading into Tuesday's play. 'I've kind of been trying to play my game and let all that happen,' Poulter said of landing NIL deals. 'So now, because I've been playing a little better, it's coming. … Sometimes, people can get too engrossed in it and their golf suffers.' Briefly: Koivun started strong, shooting 2-under 68 on the Ocean Course on Monday. … NHL referee Garrett Rank posted 2-over 72 on the Ocean. … The field will be cut from 312 players to 64 after Tuesday's round, with match play starting Wednesday on the Lake Course.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Steelers among top landing spots for quarterback from legendary NFL family
Steelers among top landing spots for quarterback from legendary NFL family originally appeared on The Sporting News The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely be back in the quarterback market in 2026, as Aaron Rodgers is likely to retire after the 2025 campaign. Though Pittsburgh could opt to hand the keys over to Will Howard as the quarterback of the future, NFL Spin Zone's Joshua Watt believes the Steelers could target Texas signal-caller Arch Manning in the 2026 NFL Draft to be their hopeful franchise quarterback. The Steelers have been a quarterback away from being a great team for many years. Arch would join a roster that has a good mix of veterans and youth, with the offense being fairly young. Arch could step in with stability at coach, and enough talent to support him early on. If Arch were selected here, he could almost instantly elevate the team's chance for playoff success. Manning is set to be the Longhorns' full-time starting quarterback in 2025 after sitting behind Quinn Ewers for two seasons. The 21-year-old did start a few games last year, tossing nine touchdowns to two interceptions with a 67.8% completion rate. Manning also added 108 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. The New Orleans native is expected to post a phenomenal 2025 campaign and be in contention for the Heisman Trophy. If Manning does so, the redshirt sophomore will be in contention for the top quarterback in the 2026 draft. Pittsburgh would be a dream landing spot for Manning in the NFL, as he would be placed in a fantastic situation with an experienced and respected head coach in Mike Tomlin. Manning would also bring some much-needed excitement to the quarterback position in Steel City due to his mobility, something the franchise has lacked in recent years. Though Manning could be the prized player in the 2026 draft, his grandfather, former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning, doesn't expect his grandson to declare for the draft next year. "Arch isn't going to do that. He'll be at Texas," Archie Manning said of Arch's 2026 draft plans. Staying all four years in college is a Manning tradition, as Eli and Peyton Manning both stayed all four seasons at their respective universities and ended up being legendary quarterbacks in the NFL. Arch Manning could follow in his uncle's footsteps, but he could also declare early with a stellar 2025 season and be a draft target for the quarterback-needy Steelers. MORE:Steelers get concerning update on Cam Heyward's contract situation
Dominion Post
11 hours ago
- Dominion Post
NIL policy now in place to allow West Virginia prep athletes to earn money
MORGANTOWN — According to a policy set by the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (SSAC) and approved by the state Board of Education, high school and middle school athletes in the state can begin to profit from Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals without losing their eligibility. The policy, which became public on Aug. 8, now joins West Virginia with at least 40 other states to allow prep athletes to earn NIL money. SSAC executive director Wayne Ryan did not respond to a message for comment. In approving the policy, athletes in the state are now free to have their name or image tied to a company for the purpose of advertisements or commercials for monetary gain as well as earn money through things such as charging for an autograph without the fear of losing their amateur status or eligibility. The policy does set some guidelines, beginning with athletes being prohibited from making any such endorsements while wearing an official school athletic uniform, jersey or logo. They can't make any references about the school they are enrolled in or any other SSAC member school. The policy also prohibits anyone 'employed by a member school, including coaches and administrators,' from being involved in the student-athlete's use of their NIL. Athletes are also blocked from promoting certain types of businesses and products, including casinos and any form of gambling, adult entertainment services, alcohol, tobacco and nicotine-related products, cannabis, prescription drugs, weapons and firearms. Athletic directors at Morgantown High, University High, Trinity and Clay-Battelle were reached for reaction, but all refused to comment. A provision in the policy makes it illegal for an athlete to be recruited from one high school to another with an NIL promise. 'No one associated with or acting at the direction of a member school, such as booster clubs, alumni or collectives, may use the promise of NIL opportunities to entice student athletes to transfer or attend their school,' the policy states. The NCAA first approved NIL for college athletes in 2021, and those deals have grown into millions of dollars for some athletes. Texas quarterback Arch Manning is believed to have the most expensive NIL deal, currently worth $6.8 million, according to a report from Sports Illustrated.
