High school NIL: Allowed

Minnesota high school NIL rules

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

Tell the school: None statewide
Agents: Allowed
If a rule is broken: Loss of eligibility
Reaches middle school: Generally no

High school

Who sets the rules

Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL)

The rule

MSHSL Board Policy re Bylaw 201 (Name, Image and Likeness, adopted 6/7/2022) lets a student earn NIL compensation if it is not tied to athletic performance, not a recruiting inducement, is at market value, is not paid by the school or its agents (boosters, foundations), and does not interfere with academics or team obligations.

Tell the school

None statewide

None. the policy has no reporting requirement.

Off limits

No MSHSL or school logos, marks, mascots, uniforms or school-issued apparel; may not reference involvement in school activities when promoting a business; no selling school-provided items until eligibility is exhausted; no autographs for pay at required team or school events; equipment makers may not use the athlete's NIL to publicize the school's equipment use. Prohibited categories: gaming/gambling; alcohol, tobacco, cannabis; banned/illegal substances; adult entertainment; contraceptive and sexual-enhancement products; weapons/firearms. Compensation from school or boosters/foundations barred (collective-type funding barred). Recruiting inducements barred.

Agents

Allowed

Professional advice, representation and marketing services allowed, but not from a school employee/contractor, and fees must be standard and not discounted for athletic ability.

If a rule is broken

A student in violation is 'not in good standing' and may lose eligibility in one or more activities. Under Bylaw 201, loss of amateur status (accepting pay for participation or using athletic skills to advertise products outside the policy) disqualifies the student from further high school participation in that sport.

Middle school, club and travel ball

Bylaw 201 amateur rule applies whether the paid participation 'occurs in school or outside of school', so cash for playing club/travel ball would affect MSHSL eligibility; the NIL policy itself speaks to MSHSL member-school students. Middle school not addressed.

Recent changes

None found.

College state law

No state law

The law

None for NIL.

Disclosure

No state NIL disclosure statute.

Schools paying athletes

Not addressed by state law.

For high school recruits

None.

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 Minnesota make NIL money?

Yes. High school athletes in Minnesota can take NIL deals, with conditions. MSHSL Board Policy re Bylaw 201 (Name, Image and Likeness, adopted 6/7/2022) lets a student earn NIL compensation if it is not tied to athletic performance, not a recruiting inducement, is at market value, is not paid by the school or its agents (boosters, foundations), and does not interfere with academics or team obligations.

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

None statewide. None. the policy has no reporting requirement.

Does a travel ball or club deal count in Minnesota?

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. Bylaw 201 amateur rule applies whether the paid participation 'occurs in school or outside of school', so cash for playing club/travel ball would affect MSHSL eligibility; the NIL policy itself speaks to MSHSL member-school students. Middle school not addressed.

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

Allowed. Professional advice, representation and marketing services allowed, but not from a school employee/contractor, and fees must be standard and not discounted for athletic ability.

Sources

Last verified November 4, 2026. High school rule text: Policy adopted 2022-06-07.

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