High school NIL: Allowed

Maine high school NIL rules

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

Tell the school: None statewide
Agents: Not addressed
If a rule is broken: Loss of eligibility
Reaches middle school: Generally no

High school

Who sets the rules

Maine Principals' Association (MPA)

The rule

MPA Handbook Appendix DD (adopted April 28, 2022) lets a student-athlete profit from their own NIL through endorsements, promotions, social media and advertising, with no reference to the member school or the MPA and no school-employee involvement.

Tell the school

None statewide

None. Appendix DD contains no disclosure or reporting requirement.

Off limits

No reference to member school or MPA; no school employee (coach, teacher, administrator) may be involved; no endorsing third parties or wearing/displaying NIL-partner apparel or logos during team activities. Prohibited categories: adult entertainment, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, controlled dangerous substances, prescription pharmaceuticals, casinos/gambling (incl. sports betting, lottery, betting via video/online/mobile games), weapons/firearms/ammunition. Agents, parent signature, collectives/boosters and transfer inducements are not addressed in the policy.

Agents

Not addressed

If a rule is broken

Not stated in Appendix DD; the policy itself contains no penalty clause.

Middle school, club and travel ball

MPA administers interscholastic activities in grades 9-12 only (mission statement); the policy does not reach middle school or non-school club play.

Recent changes

None. Appendix DD text in the 2025-2026 MPA Handbook is the April 28, 2022 version, unchanged.

College state law

Law in force

The law

20-A M.R.S. §§ 12971 to 12974 (PL 2021, c. 544, from LD 1893), chapter 443 'Student Athletes'

Disclosure

None. the statute contains no disclosure duty.

Schools paying athletes

Not addressed. The statute only bars colleges from prohibiting NIL compensation/representation outside official team activities and from pulling full scholarships; colleges may still restrict use of their marks/facilities and set conduct conditions.

For high school recruits

None. Statute applies only to student athletes in intercollegiate programs at Maine colleges/universities; no high school or prospective-athlete provision.

Recent changes

None. Official text current through Oct. 1, 2026 (Second Regular Session, 132nd Legislature) shows only PL 2021 c. 544 history.

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 Maine make NIL money?

Yes. High school athletes in Maine can take NIL deals, with conditions. MPA Handbook Appendix DD (adopted April 28, 2022) lets a student-athlete profit from their own NIL through endorsements, promotions, social media and advertising, with no reference to the member school or the MPA and no school-employee involvement.

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

None statewide. None. Appendix DD contains no disclosure or reporting requirement.

Does a travel ball or club deal count in Maine?

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. MPA administers interscholastic activities in grades 9-12 only (mission statement); the policy does not reach middle school or non-school club play.

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

Not addressed.

Sources

Last verified November 4, 2026. High school rule text: 2025-2026 MPA Handbook; policy adopted 2022-04-28.

Get Maine alerts

One email when Maine's rules change.