Florida has ushered in a new era for high school sports by allowing student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). However, while this legislation presents exciting opportunities, experts like Daniel Cornely, director of the MBA in Sport Management Program at Florida Atlantic University, warn of potential pitfalls.
Starting in the 2024-25 school year, Florida’s high school athletes can now sign NIL deals without risking their eligibility. This landmark change could significantly alter the landscape of high school sports, providing young athletes with a chance to earn money and gain exposure before they even reach college.
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As Cornely puts it, “This legislation has a major impact on the lives of minor athletes and their ability to monetize before they even enter college. The deal gives students more exposure to college recruiters while they are still playing at the high school level and the ability to possibly become brand ambassadors of companies looking to strike deals with them.”
While the opportunities are clear, there are also concerns. Cornely cautions that companies could exploit young athletes, putting undue pressure on them to secure deals. There’s also a risk that the gap between schools with more resources and those with fewer could widen, as the former may have an advantage in attracting top talent through indirect NIL discussions.
“While schools are not allowed to use NIL deals to recruit students, certain conversations may still happen that allude to that, giving some programs an advantage over others,” Cornely noted.
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To ensure that student-athletes navigate this new terrain safely and successfully, Cornely emphasizes the importance of education.
“Student-athletes need to be educated on business and financial literacy; they need to know how much to set aside for taxes, as well as contract negotiation to make sure they comply with existing rules,” he said. Schools and athletic directors will also need to step up, providing guidance on the rules and ensuring compliance.
Despite the potential challenges, the new NIL law represents a significant shift in high school sports, one that could have far-reaching implications for the future of student-athletes in Florida and beyond.
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