High school NIL: Allowed

Indiana high school NIL rules

Yes. High school athletes in Indiana can take NIL deals, with conditions.

Tell the school: 48 hours after signing, to the athletic director
Agents: Not addressed
If a rule is broken: Eligibility lost: that sport only
Reaches middle school: Generally no

High school

Who sets the rules

Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. (IHSAA)

The rule

New Rule 5-7 'Personal Branding Activity (PBA)', approved by the IHSAA board in May 2026 and in the 2026-27 By-Laws, lets students monetize their name, image or likeness through social media, appearances, endorsements and non-athletic services, provided the activity does not represent the member school and does not involve performing athletic services for a school-affiliated contest.

Tell the school

48 hours after signing, to the athletic director

Written notice to the school's athletic director within 48 hours of entering any PBA agreement (5-7.4(a)). Schools may review agreements but may not block compliant ones. No dollar threshold or IHSAA form.

Off limits

No School Representation (school name, nickname, mascot, logo, uniform, traditions, achievements or references to its athletic program); school facilities only under generally applicable facility-use policies with school approval and no implied endorsement; prohibited categories: gaming/gambling, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, illegal or banned substances including PEDs, sexually explicit material, firearms or weapons; no PBA involving athletic services in school-affiliated contests (private lessons, camps, clinics and non-school appearances are allowed); no participation in or benefits from PBA collectives working for or with a member school; no PBA offered to entice a student to attend a particular high school. Student and parent/guardian are responsible for NCAA/NAIA/NJCAA eligibility checks, employment paperwork and taxes. Schools must give annual PBA education; local schools may adopt stricter rules.

Agents

Not addressed

In Rule 5-7.

If a rule is broken

Ineligibility up to 365 days from the date of violation in the sport concerned (5-7.5(a)); reinstatement under Rule 5-4 with added PBA requirements; schools that facilitate or fail to report violations face Rule 17-7.1 penalties.

Middle school, club and travel ball

IHSAA rules govern member high schools (grades 9-12); junior high is outside its jurisdiction. Non-athletic and non-school athletic services (lessons, clinics, private coaching) are expressly allowed as long as there is no school representation.

Recent changes

Rule 5-7 adopted May 2026, effective 2026-27. Before this, Indiana prohibited HS NIL under Rule 5 amateurism.

College state law

No state law

The law

None.

Disclosure

None in statute.

Schools paying athletes

Not addressed by statute.

For high school recruits

None.

Recent changes

None found.

NCAA Division I, everywhere

Every deal worth $600 or more (added up per payer) entered since July 1, 2025 or the start of junior year, whichever is later, must be reported through NIL Go within 14 days of starting classes or before the first game.

Recruits enrolling on or after August 1, 2026 may hire agents under the April 15, 2026 Division I rule. The NJCAA still ends eligibility for a written agent agreement.

The full college-bound guide

Quick answers

Can high school athletes in Indiana make NIL money?

Yes. High school athletes in Indiana can take NIL deals, with conditions. New Rule 5-7 'Personal Branding Activity (PBA)', approved by the IHSAA board in May 2026 and in the 2026-27 By-Laws, lets students monetize their name, image or likeness through social media, appearances, endorsements and non-athletic services, provided the activity does not represent the member school and does not involve performing athletic services for a school-affiliated contest.

Do Indiana athletes have to tell the school about an NIL deal?

48 hours after signing, to the athletic director. Written notice to the school's athletic director within 48 hours of entering any PBA agreement (5-7.4(a)). Schools may review agreements but may not block compliant ones. No dollar threshold or IHSAA form.

Does a travel ball or club deal count in Indiana?

State association rules follow the athlete, not where the deal came from. A deal through a travel team is fine as long as nothing ties back to the school team. IHSAA rules govern member high schools (grades 9-12); junior high is outside its jurisdiction. Non-athletic and non-school athletic services (lessons, clinics, private coaching) are expressly allowed as long as there is no school representation.

Can a Indiana high school athlete use an agent for NIL?

Not addressed. In Rule 5-7.

Sources

Last verified November 4, 2026. High school rule text: IHSAA 2026-27 By-Laws, Rule 5-7 (pp. 30-31)

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