(The Center Square) – A little more than a month after Ohio high schools voted to let athletes be paid for their name, image and likeness, two lawmakers want to stop it.
Reps. Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, and Mike Odioso, R-Green Township, introduced legislation that bans high school and middle school student-athletes from being paid for their name, image, and likeness when it’s connected to playing interscholastic sports or being on a team.
The ban, which had its first hearing in the House on Wednesday, would cover all public and nonpublic charter schools, as well as the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
“The unwarranted, new OSHAA NIL by-laws changes dangerously undermine the most cherished aspects of grade school and high school education and cocurricular athletics,” Odioso said.
Bird called the bill protection for children and a way to maintain the goal of learning and development.
“High school sports are an extension of the classroom. They teach character, discipline, leadership, work ethic and fitness,” said Bird. “This bill is about protecting kids, keeping the focus on learning and development, and ensuring students across Ohio compete on a level playing field.”
Ohio became the 45th state to allow NIL at the high school level when, in late November, OHSAA member schools voted 447-121 to pass an emergency bylaw referendum, effective immediately.
More than 30% of the member schools – 815 – abstained from voting.
The emergency vote came after a Franklin County judge issued a temporary restraining order in October that stopped the name, image and likeness ban.
The association’s new rule allows students to sign contracts to profit from their name, image and likeness through appearances, licensing, social media, endorsements and the use of branding based on their public recognition or notoriety.
The regulation sets up reporting procedures and other limitations to protect recruiting and amateur status.
It bans collectives, which are prevalent in college sports and are generally created by alumni and boosters to provide deals for athletes.
Athletes are also banned from entering into an agreement with schools or agents of the school like booster clubs or foundations, and players would not be able to transfer to a new school because of a money deal.
Athletes are prohibited from using the name, logo or mascot of any state association school or team during any promotions.
