a day ago
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.
