The Valley View Board of Education approved a Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) policy for athletes at its March meeting. This policy is in accordance with the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) rules that were voted in November 2025.
Ohio is the 45th state to allow NIL at the high school level.
The Valley View police reads, in part: “Pursuant to Ohio High School Athletic Association ("OHSAA") Bylaws, students may enter into an agreement or arrangement in which the student capitalizes on their Name, Image, and Likeness/Personal Branding Rights, commonly referred to as a NIL Agreement. However, pursuant to OHSAA Bylaw 4-10-1, a student may not participate in an interscholastic sport unless the student is an amateur. Pay-for-play (receiving payments simply for being a student-athlete), entering an agreement/contract with a professional sports team, and improper recruiting inducements are also prohibited.”
The policy uses standard language from Neola, a school policy vendor used by more than 500 schools in Ohio.
NIL in Action
While Valley View athletes are allowed to capitalize on their reputation and personal brand, there are a number of restrictions in the Valley View policy that align with the OHSAA rules.
Students are not allowed to include “Valley View” or the Spartan mascot in their promotion, or imply that Valley View is endorsing a company or organization.
And, unlike college athletes, they are not allowed to receive money from “collectives” like booster clubs, foundations or alumni groups.
Students are not permitted to pursue their NIL during school hours, while traveling for athletics, or during team activities. And they can’t be compensated for performance, such as points scored.
There are restrictions on the sponsoring organizations too. NIL deals are not permitted for firearms companies and those offering tobacco, alcohol or cannabis.
OHSAA Involvement
Students who enter into an NIL agreement need to disclose it within 14 days to the OHSAA. Neither Valley View’s policy nor the OHSAA policy requires students to notify the school. A public records request to Valley View about NIL deals did not result in any information.
According to the OHSAA, schools are not permitted to assist students and families in the facilitation and securing of NIL agreements. The OHSAA policy also says schools have an obligation to educate the school community that any attempt to facilitate an NIL/Personal Branding Rights agreement to help secure the enrollment of a prospective student shall result in penalties.
The initial push into NIL for Ohio came when the family of Wayne High School OSU commit Jamier Brown sued, saying he was missing out on nearly $100,000 in potential NIL earnings. In October, a Franklin County judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the OHSAA from enforcing its ban against high school athletes benefiting from NIL. The OHSAA vote in November helped end the lawsuit.
Legislation in Columbus
Ohio Capital Journal reports that there are two bills circulating in Columbus on NIL—one to ban it and one to curb it.
HB 661 would prohibit a middle or high school athlete from earning compensation from the athlete's name, image, or likeness. District 40 Representative Rodney Creech is a cosponsor of the bill. The Ohio legislature is currently on break until May. In a message last week to the TWIN CREEK TIMES Creech said, “Last I heard it didn’t have enough votes.”
HB745 allows NIL deals and includes a set of rules that are very similar to those already in place by OHSAA. State Representative Phil Plummer is a primary sponsor of the bill. Former Sheriff Plummer is currently running for Ohio’s 5th Senate District, which includes Farmersville and Germantown. According to Ohio Capital Journal, the bill has yet to have any hearings.
Read the full Valley View Policy - search for 2431.06
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