In the summer, new rules allowed college athletes the ability to profit off their name, image and likeness (NIL). Immediately, college stars like Oregon football player Kayvon Thibodeaux and basketball player Sedona Prince were able to start cashing in on their brands, including sponsorship and non-fungible token (NFT) deals.

But could the same rules be extended to those in the high school ranks? It’s a little closer than one might think.

While the National Federation of State High School Associations was quick to respond in July that high schoolers would not be able to profit from NIL, many states have since switched their positions. High school student-athletes in states like California and New York can profit via NIL. And Oregon could be joining those ranks soon.

Oregon School Activities Association Executive Director Peter Weber told the Oregonian/OregonLive that the OSAA and the OSAA’s Executive Board have had discussions on the topic. Weber said the OSAA has been monitoring what is happening in New York and will have language for the board to review during the Feb. 7 meeting.

Central Catholic football coach Steve Pyne said he was not aware that this was something that the OSAA was discussing, but raised equity concerns as the only student-athletes who would likely profit from their NIL are those who also would benefit at the college level.

“It makes sense to me at the college level as the NCAA makes millions of dollars off of the athletes. … My hope is that it does not happen.”

Weber agreed that NIL deals could lead to equity concerns, adding that the OSAA is monitoring what other states are doing before creating their own language.

To avoid certain inequities while allowing student-athletes to profit from their NIL, California and New York both employ a rule that student-athletes are able to participate in commercial endorsements so long as they are not affiliated with their schools or the state athletic association.

“They can’t be wearing their school uniform or refer to their school or section,” said New York State Public High School Athletic Association spokesperson Chris Watson.

Pyne, whose Rams won the 2021 OSAA 6A football state championship, is no stranger to student-athletes who could profit from these types of deals. Rams junior tight end Riley Williams will likely be the top recruit coming out of Oregon’s class of 2022 and would be a top target for high school NIL sponsorships.

And he’s not alone. Oregon will be sending many student-athletes to compete in NCAA competition next year, including four-star football recruits Darrius Clemons (Westview) and Trejon Williams (Jefferson, Portland).

Pyne added that moving NIL rights to the high school ranks would likely lead to it filtering down to the youth ranks, including AAU and club sports.