Publication

30 January 2026

Michigan High School Athletes Can Now Get Paid: NIL Arrives

On January 27, 2026, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) adopted a substantial change to its eligibility rules, allowing—for the first time—Michigan high school student-athletes to monetize their own name, image, and likeness (NIL) through personal branding activities (PBA).  The rule is effective immediately for all MHSAA member schools.  This makes Michigan the 46th state to authorize NIL opportunities for high school student-athletes.

This development comes as NIL continues to broaden in scope nationwide, yet it remains materially different from the collegiate landscape.  Following the House v. NCAA settlement, colleges and universities are shifting toward revenue‑sharing and a professionalized compensation model.  High school NIL, however, is purposefully restricted: designed to preserve amateurism, avoid collective or institutional involvement, and limit NIL to individual opportunities for individual athletes.

What Has Changed?

Under the new MHSAA policy, high school student-athletes may receive compensation for individual use of their personal PBA, including:

  • Social media content and endorsements
  • Personal appearances
  • Autograph and photograph sessions
  • Modeling and advertising opportunities
  • Sales of self-branded merchandise

This marks a significant departure from the long-standing amateurism model that previously barred nearly all forms of compensation for athletes at the high school level.

What Remains Prohibited?

While the door has opened, the MHSAA’s approach is conservative and compliance-focused.  The following prohibitions remain in place:

  • No use of school intellectual property or resources, including names, marks, uniforms, facilities, or any school-affiliated branding
  • No PBA during school-directed time including practices, games, or other MHSAA-sanctioned events
  • No pay-for-play or performance-based compensation
  • No involvement by schools, coaches, staff, or booster organizations in arranging, facilitating, or negotiating any NIL opportunities
  • No NIL or PBA collectives, pooled arrangements, or group-based deals
  • No deals with prohibited industries, including gambling, alcohol, and other restricted categories

All PBA arrangements, whether written or verbal, must be disclosed to the student-athlete’s school and the MHSAA within seven (7) days of the arrangement by submitting the MHSAA PBA Disclosure Form, and must not create improper recruiting incentives or competitive advantages.

Why This Matters

For student‑athletes and families, this marks the first moment when high school competitors in Michigan may lawfully participate in and benefit from the NIL marketplace.

For businesses and sponsoring entities, this change allows new, but highly restricted, ways to engage individual athletes.

But with opportunity comes regulatory exposure.  Eligibility determinations remain entirely within the MHSAA’s enforcement authority.  Mistakes in contract terms, compensation structure, disclosure timing, or branding use can jeopardize an athlete’s ability to compete.

Unlike the post‑House collegiate structure, Michigan’s high school model is strictly limited to individual, independently arranged opportunities, with no role for schools or collective arrangements of any kind.

Looking Ahead

Michigan’s move aligns with a national trend toward recognizing personal branding rights at every level of sport.  At the same time, high school NIL remains far more regulated than its collegiate counterpart, making careful planning and compliance essential.

We will continue monitoring how the MHSAA interprets and implements the new rule, whether additional guidance or exceptions emerge, and how Michigan and other states adapt their high school NIL models to ongoing litigation and legislative shifts at the collegiate level.