*UPDATE: “The NYSPHSAA Executive Committee has approved revisions to the NYSPHSAA Amateur Rule allowing students to benefit from their name, image & likeness (#NIL). Students will be prohibited from entering into endorsement deals “in affiliation” with their school, Section or NYSPHSAA.”-Dr. Robert Zayas, Executive Director of NYSPHSAA
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News)– The New York State Public High School Athletic Association will discuss revising the Amateur Rule on Wednesday, Oct. 20.
The Amateur Rule does not allow high school students from capitalizing off of their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). The Amateur Rule identifies high school athletes as amateurs, one who participates in athletic competitions solely for the gratification and benefits the activity provides. Currently, New York students lose amateur status when they receive monetary rewards for their efforts. The new proposal would allow high schoolers to instead earn money and gifts off of their athletic fame.
As of now, California is the only state to pass legislation to allow high school students to benefit as well.
Syracuse University Assisting Teaching Professor, Dave Meluni, currently instructs a NIL course. This class is believed to be the first undergraduate course taught in the country. Meluni is in favor of New York passing NIL laws for high schoolers.
Meluni recognizes that high schools will have issues with athletes wanting to use the marks of the school. But a majority of high schools do not license their logos, unlike colleges, resulting in athletes not allowed to use their school’s marks. If schools did license their logo, Athletic Directors would be responsible for handling licensing deals.
“I really hope the schools don’t vote it down because they’re concerned it more work for an Athletic Director,” Meluni said. “Just vote it in, probably without the logos, and everything should be pretty good.”
Meluni feels that New York high schoolers could benefit off of the revision, especially lacrosse players. Meluni says that student athletes in certain markets will have opportunities no matter what sport they play. Beside New York City basketball, he thinks that lacrosse players will have the largest opportunities. Across the country, Division 1 rosters are filled with players from New York.
“Women’s lacross plaers in this area, they’re dominating, dominating division one lacrosse on rosters,” Meluni said. “From North Carolina to Florida to Syracuse to everywhere in between. That’s a sport I’m keeping an eye on.”
While high schoolers would have the opportunity to make deals with business, their best opportunity is holding camps and training sessions says Meluni. Younger children admire high school athletes and parents are willing to pay for their child to attend a camp or lessons held by an athlete.
Multiple college athletes have taken advantage of opportunities in the last four months. The NCAA passed a law on July 1, allowing college athletes to financially profit off their Name, Image, and Likeness. College athletes have been signing deals since the first day it was passed. Twin sisters from the basketball team at Fresno State and Boost Mobile signed the first collegiate NIL deal in history on Icon Source Marketplace.
ON A BILLBOARD IN TIME SQUARE 😭 WHAT IS LIFE… blessed❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZyA4Uim5zB
— Hanna Cavinder (@CavinderHanna) July 1, 2021
Syracuse basketball star, Buddy Boeheim, has already signed deals with The Player’s Trunk, Enduraphin, Roc Nation Sports, Three Wishes Cereal, Beak and Skiff, Cameo, and ISlide.
Front Office Sports wrote that together college athletes will earn $1.5 billion this year according to Opendorse.
Prior to the NCAA passing legislation, athletes of the highest caliber may have surpassed college to pursue a professional career where they could receive endorsement deals. Now these athletes are looking to play in college instead of going to a professional league. While this is only a small portion of athletes, it turns more athletes’ attention to playing in college instead of skipping college all together.
Additionally, since NIL has been passed, not all schools are able to manage it the same way. Depending on the size and finances of the schools, some schools are able to allocate more resources to this growing department. This has begun to create a new recruiting tool.
Meluni’s biggest advice to athletes, college or high school is to utilize social media and develop a personal brand.
“Get on Instagram, it’s the number one platform. You don’t have to have a podcast and a YouTube Channel, even though those things are growing. Athletes first foremost have to balance their time, be able to post you know religiously, not crazy. You can’t just go and do a TikTok and be dancing and think a brand is going to say here’s five grand…. it’s not going to happen.”
The best way for parents and students to learn more about Name, Image, and Likeness is to attend seminars or information sessions held by athletic directors.
If you would like to learn more about the NIL scope Dave Meluni will be holding an online four week seminar through Syracuse University College. The seminar will take place on Thursday nights and last for 90 minutes each session. The seminar is available to anyone 18 years or older. The enrollment deadline is October 25.
